Ordered a Rickenbacker 4003 yesterday, any advice?

[Hounddog409]

The shielding in particular. A stock Rick is basically an antenna, and a dimmer, wonky ballast, and/or substandard wiring can really ruin your day.

You do see my sig pic...right??

I have zero noise issues with mine. Its quieter than my MIM Jazz. By alot.

 

[Koshchei]

You do see my sig pic...right??

I have zero noise issues with mine. Its quieter than my MIM Jazz. By alot.

Ever played a really poopy club with it?

 

[Wilmingtonian]

Some people dislike chocolate and beer too.

Together?

 

[Mantis Tobaggan]

When I had a 4003, I put a zero mod thumb rest on it. At point, I removed the string guard but I put it back on. I also lowered the bridge pup b/c I was thwacking it with the strings when I dug in and making a noise.

 

[Hounddog409]

Ever played a really poopy club with it?

Theres non poopy clubs?

 

[Doner Designs]

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?

Cancel the order. Better yet, change the shipping address to Steve Doner, xxxx, xxxx, Chicago.

Congrats, enjoy.

 

[Fishheadjoe]

Be aware that the Jetglo basses have been experiencing paint bubbling in and around the bridge. As RIC only warrants fisnish for one year for the date of manufacture, do keep an eye on that and be sure to contact RIC before the warranty runs out, should there be any finish issues.
Also, be ware that the p/u selector switch can be problematic and that recent examples tend to have pretty robust necks, unlike their 60's and 70's models.
Good luck, I hope you get a good one and that it is all that you hope for!
Fishheadjoe

 

[lfmn16]

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?

Ignore everything you read and just play it. When I bought my first Rick in 1976 there was no internet or TalkBass and I didn't know that I couldn't adjust the neck or the intonation and that the bridge sucked and the sharp edges would hurt my arm and all the other horrible things that make it unplayable. I was so clueless that I just had it set up and enjoyed it trouble free for about 10 years. If only I'd known all the things wrong with it, I could have fussed and fretted and worried instead of just enjoying it.

 

[bobyoung53]

Wait what

I am a Fender Precision bass guy through and through, but when I tried a Rick once, it was amazing! I loved the way it played! And I would never expect it to feel the same as my Fender, hell I would actually be mad if it did! Because if I buy a different bass than a Fender, I want it to be as unFender-like as possible, in order to bring me some variety if you can catch my drift.

And I really hope that I will own a 4k3 Rick one day. But the chance that I will ever have 2 and a half thousand Euros together is rather low...

I too love P basses and they were my first good bass when I was a kid but also love the Rics (and Gibsons) , you'll get one sooner or later, don't give up.

 

[Tom Gallo]

My personal advice - get something to wrap your right forarm with while you play, since the edge of the body might start to hurt your arm after you play the thing for 8 hours straight because it's so awesome!

Which is why I got an S.

 

[bobyoung53]

Ignore everything you read and just play it. When I bought my first Rick in 1976 there was no internet or TalkBass and I didn't know that I couldn't adjust the neck or the intonation and that the bridge sucked and the sharp edges would hurt my arm and all the other horrible things that make it unplayable. I was so clueless that I just had it set up and enjoyed it trouble free for about 10 years. If only I'd known all the things wrong with it, I could have fussed and fretted and worried instead of just enjoying it.

I learned a lot of things I didn't know here on TB such as 90% of basses and amps are too heavy, I never would have known that if I hadn't have came here.

 

[Deleted member 271037]

1) If they still use machine screws for the strap buttons (and shockingly, I think they do!) you might as well glue them in place from day 1. It will save you the trouble of buying a new bass when it hits the floor.

2) When adjusting intonation make sure to dial 991 BEFORE you start. Every minute counts with heart attacks!

(I'm being serious about the strap button screws btw)

 

[Koshchei]

Theres non poopy clubs?

It's a poopie continuum based on a variety of dimensions: wall stickiness, flammability, water damage, and how far away the only outlet in the place is, and whether or not it has a functioning ground.

 

[dkelley]

Or maybe dont rest your forearm on the bass?????

Not sure why folks do this. Seems like bad technique to me.

Huh... I never was able to keep my forarm off the bass on that body shape. You DID notice that it was a compliment to the bass I made though, not an insult?

 

[dkelley]

Which is why I got an S.

Nice! Again... note that I was complimenting the bass, not insulting it. I'd love a 4001, 4003, S or not.

 

[Indiedog]

Here's an entire thread about the improved Rickenbacker bridge.
New 2019 Rickenbacker Bridge

Thank you so much!

You are the official "Nice Guy of the Day."

 

[farace]

I haven’t seen it come up yet in this thread, but a critical comment I see frequently is that Rics are a “one trick pony.” That they’re only good for one style of music, for one particular sound. Not true. There are four knobs on the bass, and time spent exploring the sounds that can be found in there is time well spent. (I use mine in a jazz setting, for instance, and pull a nice, smooth chocolatey tone out.)

 

[bmb73]

That’s good advice. I’m pretty new to these forums, are first impressions posts a common thing here? I’d love to give my thoughts on new gear.

First impressions are TB's bread and butter

 

[Charlzm]

My only Rick regret: I wish I had a 4003S instead of a 4003. The rounded body edges are kinder to your picking hand and I never use Rick-o-sound. However, I do like the shark fin inlays, so... I'd say it's a wash.

But my favorite Rick (of four I have owned) was a 4003S.

 

[lfmn16]

I learned a lot of things I didn't know here on TB such as 90% of basses and amps are too heavy, I never would have known that if I hadn't have came here.

Imagine if Chris Squire, John Entwistle, Geddy Lee, Victor Wooten had been on TalkBass when they were starting out!

Fortunately Talkbass has no affiliation with or resemblance to the real world.