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Ordered a Rickenbacker 4003 yesterday, any advice?

#22
Suit Up!
Can't be playing a Ric in Crocs or running shorts.
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#23
SweetRizzo said:
After checking the serial code, I found that it was made only a couple of months ago so I don’t think the warranty will be much of an issue unless it’s something ridiculous like 6 months haha. I’d say I have played them for about 5 hours in total, and the pickup cover has never really been an issue for me. Someone said earlier that the latest models have a different bridge to the older ones, but I couldn’t find much on whether the revised bridges are an improvement or downgrade. Do you have any knowledge on this?
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Not really. Both my Rick basses are pretty old (so is the guitar), and I have no problems with them; so I haven't paid a lot of attention to the new ones. There has been some discussion here, both in the Rick Forum, and in individual posts. It's not considered nice to tell somebody "Use the search function", so I won't. But, I will tell you that a Google search about things like "new Rickenbacker bridge" turns up Talk Bass stuff quite often...:rolleyes:
 
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#28
SweetRizzo said:
After checking the serial code, I found that it was made only a couple of months ago so I don’t think the warranty will be much of an issue unless it’s something ridiculous like 6 months haha. I’d say I have played them for about 5 hours in total, and the pickup cover has never really been an issue for me. Someone said earlier that the latest models have a different bridge to the older ones, but I couldn’t find much on whether the revised bridges are an improvement or downgrade. Do you have any knowledge on this?
Click to expand...
Here's an entire thread about the improved Rickenbacker bridge.
New 2019 Rickenbacker Bridge
 
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#29
SweetRizzo said:
I found a deal I couldn’t say no to and bought my first Rick. Always loved how they played when I was trying them out in shops but after looking on the Internet I’ve found that a lot of people really dislike them.

So, do any Rickenbacker owners have any advice on why they like or dislike their products, and what I might be able to do to make it perfect?
Click to expand...

Love my 4003s.

Nothing I dislike about it. Perfect as is.

Never touched the bridge, so have no idea what all the hubballo is on the subject.

My favorite by far.
 
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#31
I always take off the bridge pickup cover and install a bezel; the surround can gouge you otherwise.

I just installed a toaster in my 4003S, and a set of vintage knobs are on the way. I guess that makes this one my forever Ric.
 
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#32
Ordered a Rickenbacker 4003 yesterday, any advice?

  • Call your credit card company and report your card as stolen.
  • Reevaluate your decision-making process
  • Attend an AA meeting and admit you have a problem
  • Ask any loved ones to hold on to any firearms you own for the next couple of weeks...

:D

/smartass
I've never wanted to like an instrument more than a 4000-series Rick. I sincerely hope you enjoy yours
 
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#33
bmusic said:
I always take off the bridge pickup cover and install a bezel; the surround can gouge you otherwise.

I just installed a toaster in my 4003S, and a set of vintage knobs are on the way. I guess that makes this one my forever Ric.
Click to expand...

I always leave on the pickup cover, and reinstall one if it’s missing. :D

Basically, go ahead and read what everyone says, but don’t take any of it as gospel. You’ll discover soon enough whether certain aspects of it don’t work for you. Most of what bothers some others doesn’t bother me in the least. But I like quirks. (I also like Alfa Romeos.)
 
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#34
farace said:
I always leave on the pickup cover, and reinstall one if it’s missing. :D

Basically, go ahead and read what everyone says, but don’t take any of it as gospel. You’ll discover soon enough whether certain aspects of it don’t work for you. Most of what bothers some others doesn’t bother me in the least. But I like quirks. (I also like Alfa Romeos.)
Click to expand...

This. This all the way.

I picked up a 4003s last year. I love it. I plan to get another one (Walnut 4003) sooner rather than later. (So I can use the stereo option. Duh.)

You will find the things that bother and the things that don`t. Intonation isn`t fun, but I am waiting for Jeff Babicz to get his ready rather than the Hipshot (I am not knocking the Hipshot, but it seems to have some issues I don`t want to deal with).

The bridge pickup with the cover off CAN gouge, but I have found being careful with my thumb can avoid this. You may be able to do the same, or opt for a bezel. Those bezels aren`t expensive, and I may try one on the next Ric I pick up.

Congrats on the bass. If you like the bass, you`ll love the way you look in it (I guarantee it).
 
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#35
EDIT: The following isn't meant to be negative. I just shared how it struck me personally and how I adapted.

If it doesn't sound as you expected, or as you wish, my advice is to try to accept that and work with what it is. For example, get ready to use EQ settings that you wouldn't normally.

If it turns out it isn't your #1 voice, well, it's nice to have a #2 voice in reserve for variety.

Be prepared for the dynamic response (while varying the distance of your right hand from the bridge) to be different too.
 
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#36
SweetRizzo said:
I found a deal I couldn’t say no to and bought my first Rick. Always loved how they played when I was trying them out in shops but after looking on the Internet I’ve found that a lot of people really dislike them.

So, do any Rickenbacker owners have any advice on why they like or dislike their products, and what I might be able to do to make it perfect?
Click to expand...

Congrats! I had a 4001 that I used in a power trio in the 70s running rick o sound. It was a killer.
 
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#40
I owned several 4001/3's and gigged with them for a number of years. I love the rick; I don't have one at the moment but certainly plan to get another and I'll probably always have at least one rick until I die. It'll be buried with me too (once I get one again).

The main thing is not to set your expectations too high. It's not a Fodera or an Alembic and it won't look or play like one. It's just an old-school bass, and a very old design too. So it has a lot of "old stuff" about it - the goofball bridge, the wierd humungous mounting for the bridge PU, cheezy plastic pickguard with a cheezy switch and knobs, and the pickups are still like something out of the 60's too. Bad ergonomics the whole bit.

And the distinctive tone of course, that may work for what you want to do or it may not (make sure you have a good quality compressor, for example).

So treat it like it's a really old bass design, kind of like the Precision or Jazz bass. Don't expect any burning bushes. It may take a while to warm to it, or you may hate it and continue to hate it. Or something in between.

It's a class act though and it looks great...

L
 

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