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Ric 4003 NBD Letdown
- Thread starter Pbass4003
- Start date
Ric basses are one of a type where, when it's done right, the interaction and results from them are sublime and when they are not right they are a major disappointment.
There doesn't seem to be any middle ground with them in my limited experience. Glad I got a good one.
There doesn't seem to be any middle ground with them in my limited experience. Glad I got a good one.
There is lot of truth to that. I'm a commercial photographer by trade. I had been using some Zeiss lenses for a while. Made in Germany with über glass, übre engineering, etc. When they are properly adjusted, there is absolutely nothing like them. But if they are merely hair off perfect adjustment, they quickly become everyone's whipping boy.
Wait, you forgot the step where the Ric fans claim that all production basses have these massive issues....then extol the virtures of J Hall's "perfectly flat" setup.
I know this was mentioned before but RIC does not cut a nut slot to set the base of the nut in. Or so it use to be like that. It certainly seems like your bass has a shallow "slot" in it but the nut is too wide at its base to actually fit in it. Strange. Is this something new they are working on?? I own a 2012 4004 and there is no nut slot. All my other 6 RIC basses of varying years have no nut slot. The base of the nut sits squarely on the neck and butts up to the end of the fretboard.
I realize this does not help you in your situation but in all my RIC experience, this is not how they normally set nuts.
Sepp
To me it almost looks like production realized the top of the fretboard was not square after it was glued in and corrected that using the side of an abrasive wheel. Unfortunately it looks like they went too far and cut into the wood.
I've spent 35 years on and off of manufacturing floors and this was the first thing that came to mind when I saw it. I've got a 4003 and a 360- 12 string and neither have a slot. The nut relies on the fretboard for support and positioning.
You know it is. Just reread the thread.
I don't care about Rickenbacker the brand, John Hall, why they are over-bashed as a brand, and why they are over-defended by the fans. It's an instrument company, and they make stuff that some people like, and some people don't. It's a piece of wood, hardware and wires turned into beautiful craft - and sometimes there are problems.
Not all are perfect, and the OP was expecting better - twice. No big deal. However, nonsense often comes from both sides, and in this case it seems to come more from the Ric lover side.
Whatever. I'm leaving the arguing to the diehard fans and the haters. If the OP wants my help, no loss. If he does it could be fun for both of us. I'm out.
That would be the 1988 Mapleglo BT/BH that I almost bought. I agree, it's one of the best Ric's I've ever touched.
I've been eyeballing it for a few months now, but they're not really willing to deal on the price. They want $1700 for it, with no case. Some of the finish on the hardware is flaking off and some of the pots need to be replaced. It's got some mojo for sure!
Look, let me apologize if there are hurt feelings. I just found it quite ironic that you were accusing Ric5--one of the guys who calls it likes he sees it, one of the guys who doesn't have qualms about telling Rickenbacker the company off, one of the guys who tears his Ricks apart to make them better--as being a fanboy.
Maybe you don't know him, but it was insulting to have a guy come in here and claim something and then when called out on it not be able to substantially back it up. Ric5 made a comment on how interesting that was and how a pattern seemed to be in play. There was no need to try to smack him for a comment that was true.
I'm up for just raising a glass of Scotch and calling it over.
I,ve had the same Rick for 13 years now and adjusted it once when I got it.
the best set up bass I,ve ever had from the box is an Aria cardinal which is about 30 years old now and have never touched it.The next best one is a Vintage v4 which only had a tweak when I put a maple neck on it.
Sometimes you get one which suits you and sometimes not.Set up is a very personal thing.It,s something you learn to do.
the best set up bass I,ve ever had from the box is an Aria cardinal which is about 30 years old now and have never touched it.The next best one is a Vintage v4 which only had a tweak when I put a maple neck on it.
Sometimes you get one which suits you and sometimes not.Set up is a very personal thing.It,s something you learn to do.
Third time's a charm! My replacement is much more polished: nut is nicely seated, binding is perfect, normal string alignment (LOL), and fantastic fretwork. Even the wood grain is carefully matched too, which is something I was joking about earlier. My only concern out of the box was the ridiculous amount of relief in the neck (much like the first one), but after I swapped (the admittedly good sounding) steel cables it shipped with for TIs, the neck straightened right out!
I don't know if it means anything, but the turds I sent back were both manufactured Aug 2012, while this one is a June baby (like me). Maybe August was an off-month. And this isn't a complaint more than it is just a silly observation, but the rosewood on this bass seems darker and more even, but lacks the cool golden feathery swirls the last 2 had. Every Ric is different in some way.
I'll take some pics and report back more thoroughly after she's inspected and set up by a pro tomorrow. The tech is a fellow forum member referred to me by a forum member. Proof that good things still do come from the internet. Thanks, all!
I don't know if it means anything, but the turds I sent back were both manufactured Aug 2012, while this one is a June baby (like me). Maybe August was an off-month. And this isn't a complaint more than it is just a silly observation, but the rosewood on this bass seems darker and more even, but lacks the cool golden feathery swirls the last 2 had. Every Ric is different in some way.
I'll take some pics and report back more thoroughly after she's inspected and set up by a pro tomorrow. The tech is a fellow forum member referred to me by a forum member. Proof that good things still do come from the internet. Thanks, all!
Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
- Disclosures
- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
Wait, you forgot the step where the Ric fans claim that all production basses have these massive issues....then extol the virtures of J Hall's "perfectly flat" setup.
Ya I probably left out a lot ...
It is a shame we end arguing about the imperfection or perfection of a small $5 plastic part.
Yeah, I agree - it's sloppy, and it's a bit too common. I do, however, prefer a slightly high cut nut to a low cut one. Don't wanna hear no fret rattle on an open note - so I add a teeny strip of wet paper towel to raise it a little. IME nuts cut too low are more common than too high.
Came back to say congrats on the good 4003! Also means that the 30th Street Guitars' 1988 Ric 4003 is still up for grabs to a lucky Ric lover
You may have to adjust the neck some day. Those TIs are really low tension. The factory strings are medium at best. So it probably needs a little tightening if you ever go to any other string. That's okay; RIC sets the action fairly high from the factory, I have noticed. Every new one I play in recent years is like that.
For the record... at least as nuts go, a high-cut nut does not make a bass a turd whatsoever, and I hope someone else gets to enjoy the bass. There was also the one with the strings that were offset, but again I really think that was highly blown out of proportion. I've seen cases of QC slip-ups in this area that actually were very bad; in your case it didn't appear to be a real problem and even if so could have been very easily remedied by getting the factory to replace the saddles (a very replaceable part like the nut); nevermind that this job would have probably had no impact on sound or playability but at least it would have looked slightly more centered to you. Maybe my attitude is in the minority but I would rather have gotten dealer/builder help to fix the minor issues than go through three basses to find a good one. Now, a bum neck or a truly misaligned bridge? That's return time. So don't get me wrong, I'm just another rabid fanboy it would seem. Although as I'm writing this I feel like my motivation is to get the OP to avoid more headaches in the future by figuring out what's a big deal and what isn't...
For the record... at least as nuts go, a high-cut nut does not make a bass a turd whatsoever, and I hope someone else gets to enjoy the bass. There was also the one with the strings that were offset, but again I really think that was highly blown out of proportion. I've seen cases of QC slip-ups in this area that actually were very bad; in your case it didn't appear to be a real problem and even if so could have been very easily remedied by getting the factory to replace the saddles (a very replaceable part like the nut); nevermind that this job would have probably had no impact on sound or playability but at least it would have looked slightly more centered to you. Maybe my attitude is in the minority but I would rather have gotten dealer/builder help to fix the minor issues than go through three basses to find a good one. Now, a bum neck or a truly misaligned bridge? That's return time. So don't get me wrong, I'm just another rabid fanboy it would seem. Although as I'm writing this I feel like my motivation is to get the OP to avoid more headaches in the future by figuring out what's a big deal and what isn't...
