R.I.P. 4004 Series basses

[Killed_by_Death]

I am not wasting my time arguing with you.

That's because the issues are well-known.
Ask anyone who has had to set one up or play it in a noisy environment.
You came here looking for an argument when you stuck your tongue out at us saying we can't afford a 4003.
or whatever you intended with your "you can't play one" statement


You're forgetting some of us have owned RICs & have played the 4003 model.

 

[Jeff Scott]

...But I just can't get past the price tag for what they are. So...

I feel the same way when I see what new Fenders are going for. At least, Gibson has kept the bass prices reasonably in check but they make up for that with the prices of LPs.

 

[Mantis Tobaggan]

That's because the issues are well-known.
Ask anyone who has had to set one up or play it in a noisy environment.
You came here looking for an argument when you stuck your tongue out at us saying we can't afford a 4003.
or whatever you intended with your "you can't play one" statement


You're forgetting some of us have owned RICs & have played the 4003 model.

I wasn’t saying anything about affording one. People criticize the 4003 for being difficult to play. It is, but if you give it time, it is a really great bass.

 

[mikeswals]

You ever see Lemmy play one in a stadium though?

Yes, I was very aware of Lemmy playing them. But it's a bit different when one high profile player has a fleet of them and was the only person I ever saw.
I've seem more old 3000 series Rics in stores than just the one new 4004.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

People criticize the 4003 for being difficult to play.

Well, I was able to play one easily. Still didn't like it
I tried many, finally gave up, but then found the 4004 series

I believe the truss rods are replaceable without having to remove the fingerboard. Might be worth checking out!

Just replacing the truss rods on a neck that is "maxed out" probably won't fix it.
The wood is already too compressed.

 

[Trouztrouz]

Overlook the problems of the 4003 all you like, I have not!

One man's problem is another man's opportunity.

I, for one, am glad to have the opportunity to completely jack up the setup of my 4003 every time I change a string.

 

[Jeff Scott]

...I've seem [sic] more old 3000 series Rics in stores than just the one new 4004.

Well, you're one up on me; I've never seen a 3000 series bass in a store.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

it's a bit different when one high profile player has a fleet of them

Ian had exactly 3 of the 4004LK.
Not sure if it's true, but some claimed one stayed in his closet at home & he took two on tour.

 

[EdO.]

I feel the same way when I see what new Fenders are going for. At least, Gibson has kept the bass prices reasonably in check but they make up for that with the prices of LPs.

Agreed. I'd definitely go for the Ric considering they're in similar price ranges.

 

[Korladis]

Another trash the 4003 thread. Just because YOU can’t play one ...

Lol, yeah. I don't get the hate.

I also think the 4004 is the best Rick bass. Good thing it's not actually going away. There's one at my local music shop for a ridiculously low price, and it looks and sounds great...but the action is pretty high and (according to the shop) the truss rods are maxed, which is a pity. (Maybe with tapes it would be reasonable.)

Truss rod repairs on Rickenbackers are no big deal. They're removable. Even if you have to completely replace them, you just pull the old ones out and put the new ones in.

Honestly I've always thought it should be a standard feature of every instrument.

Agreed. I'd definitely go for the Ric considering they're in similar price ranges.

Same. For the same price, I'd go for a 4003 or 4004 over a Gibson.

 

[BTL]

I love the 4004L, and the black Darkstar model is one of my biggest inspirations:

Mix a little 4004, a little Jazz, a little Tele, and a little Thunderbird, and voila:

 

[RickyWoo]

Paul, this is TalkBass where people first read the thread title, then only read the last few posts on the last page of the thread...

Then ridicule

 

[mikewalker]

I like the neck pup right up against the fretboard! IMO, the whole "node" thing is highly over-rated. Where does the "node" go the minute you start using the FRETS??

 

[woodyng2]

If I ever get another 4004, it will be a model like this one. There's something about a walnut core with a maple top and bottom. Beautiful.

When i first saw these,i was amazed at the woodworking. I had seen high end basses that featured all kinds of fancy inlays,tops,multilaminations, and found most of them to be bordering on gaudy. This was a very tasteful and elegant looking use of those woodworking skills. I had a 4002 at the time i discoovered these,and i sold it to buy this bass. I’ve never regretted that decision,as this bass is both beautiful,and a very nice player as well.

 

[RickyWoo]

Geez, doesn't anyone read this thread? Go back a couple of pages in this thread and look for my "facts" input. Just look for my avatar.

Hi Paul. No, I didn't see your post. The other member that pointed that out was correct. I made a post, in haste, prior to seeing your post that you pointed out. Thanks for the information.

 

[Jeff Scott]

I like the neck pup right up against the fretboard! IMO, the whole "node" thing is highly over-rated. Where does the "node" go the minute you start using the FRETS??

I frequently play open harmonics all over the fingerboard and false harmonics, too, going way up near the bridge. Pickup location does very much so make a difference. I also prefer the neck pickup up against the neck, away from the 24th position node.

 

[Korladis]

I frequently play open harmonics all over the fingerboard and false harmonics, too, going way up near the bridge. Pickup location does very much so make a difference. I also prefer the neck pickup up against the neck, away from the 24th position node.

Pickup location is a big part of why different basses sound different from each other, in my opinion.

 

[Tony In Philly]

I have two 4004's and one 4003. I like both - the only reservation I had about the 4004's are that you probably need round wound strings on them unless you want a really boomy vintage sound all the time. Now that I have discovered EB Cobalt flats, and use them on my P-Bass, I recently ordered a custom 45-55-75-105 set (the recommended Ric gauges) from EB and I'm putting them on one of the 4004's as a test drive really soon. That may be the answer as I move towards having a totally flat wound collection this year.

For what it's worth I use TI flats on the 4003 and they sound amazing - just like the old Ric Electro flats from back in the 70's. Apparently, John Hall highly recommends them too, and that is saying something given his acerbic attitude most of the time.

 

[Tony In Philly]

I'm reading now that they are not discontinuing the 4004, but just on hiatus with that model.
This means they're probably going to start putting those weirdly-shaped pickups in them when they come back:

View attachment 2904322

I am wondering if these new pickups have a reverse-wound bridge pickup.
That's one of the 4003's biggest quirks, no hum canceling when both pickups are full-on.

Those look really weird - where did you find that photo? They don't resemble anything on the Ric site or the big catalog sites. Are they some new kind of 4003S? I certainly hope not.


EDIT: Oooops - never mind - found it:

Rickenbacker Unveils the 2018 4003S/5 5-String Bass

I personally find the whole concept of a 5-string Ric rather revolting, but then again to each his own.

 

[superdick2112]

Those look really weird - where did you find that photo? They don't resemble anything on the Ric site or the big catalog sites. Are they some new kind of 4003S? I certainly hope not.

They are photos from the NAMM show depicting Ric's new 5-string bass.
You can see more on their facebook page, and in the recent NAMM Show thread.


Winter NAMM 2018 (ultra Pic-heavy)