Rick 4003 - do you love yours?

[blastoff]

i personally can’t associate the word “thump” with a Ricky. ive had a 4003 that was “meh” and a few 4001’s that were similarly not too exciting (one felt great, but could not get the E string to join the party)
i finally found a ‘79 that i love the feel and tone of, but if i pick up a P right after, i am reminded what “thump” is.
fwiw i like necks that are narrow and deep (reformed upright player) so Ricky necks can really tick that box, as well as “A” precision necks

 

[Mantis Tobaggan]

I had one but eventually sold it. I am more of a P bass guy.

 

[truand85]

i personally can’t associate the word “thump” with a Ricky. ive had a 4003 that was “meh” and a few 4001’s that were similarly not too exciting (one felt great, but could not get the E string to join the party)
i finally found a ‘79 that i love the feel and tone of, but if i pick up a P right after, i am reminded what “thump” is.
fwiw i like necks that are narrow and deep (reformed upright player) so Ricky necks can really tick that box, as well as “A” precision necks

Thanks, that's about what I expect, good to see some people seem to feel this way. Sounds like they can be hit or miss and I should find a few local ones to test out.

 

[Tanner5382]

I like mine. Can get a lot of sounds out of it with the right strings, technique, etc. People who hate them either never had one or failed to set it up properly, imo.

I tried them twice. One was much better than the other. Set up great. Just can’t get with them.

 

[moon-bass]

Man, I've been GASsing for a Rick for awhile. My HS Jazz band had a Rick and I remember loving it. FFWD to now and I'm a Jazz bass player (never met a Precision that I liked), but still thinking about picking one up. I always hear P players liking their Ricks, but not much from Jazz players.

 

[REV]

I think the neck profiles of Ric's and P basses are very different. Rics have more of a U shape and P basses are more of a C shape. That said, I really like my 4003 and I have a bass with a Fender Tele bass neck that I really like as well, The 4003 neck is considerably thinner than the Tele bass neck

 

[foolforthecity]

I love the Ric sound, and it really is quite versatile, able to fit most any musical environment. But for me it’s not a really good ergonomic fit onstage for long distances. I waddle through a number of basses while gigging but for me the best fit is a Sterling, and it’s tonal options are wide as well, so the majority of the time the Ric gets played at home. But if I’m looking to dress to impress, I’ll pop it up onstage aperiodically

 

[stringthrough]

Owned one in the early 80’s. Didn’t bond with it and it had a dead spot in and important position, 7th fret of the D string. Sold it and never considered buying another again.

 

[deesonic]

This pic is at least 12 years old, but I still have this Midnight Blue RIC 4003 (color is discontinued!).

It certainly is not my #1 for gigs or studio, but it is #1 in my heart. I grew up listening to and watching my bass heroes play them (Lemmy, Geddy, Squire, Cliff, etc) and swore one day I'd have a RIC of my own. They definitely have a growl like no other and and just have a look that screams Rock n' Roll. I get so many compliments on that bass when I bring it out at a gig. But as others have noted, the ergonomics of that thing are terrible and I'm not a fan of huge baseball bat necks. I primarily play a Fender P or J (including CIJ Jaguar). I am more comfortable with a 1 1/2 J neck, or modern 1 5/8 P neck instead of the original 1 3/4. I have changed my 4003 bridge to the new V2 model and that really helps with intonation and tuning stability. I guess newer models come stock with the V2 now? Anyway, definitely pick one up and play it if you have a chance before buying. I bought mine off Ebay having never previously held one in my hands. Luckily it was well taken care of.

 

[Johnny Fingers]

Mine left me in the early ‘70s. Still want one. But don’t need another one. Would have to buy another amp to plug it into.

 

[Mastermold]

First bass I ever really liked was an old '72 4001 that I bought used back in the early 80's. In 2008 I bought a new 4003. I've always been a fan of Rics and never had a problem with their ergonomics like some people do, they've always been comfortable for me. I'd try and find one if you can to try out and see if it fits you.

 

[FunkHead]

I don't doubt some people struggle with 4003 ergonomics. However, I just can't see why. I honestly just don't get it. I pay my RIC 3, 4 even 5 hours sometimes. My Bridge pickup cover is always left on and makes a great thumb rest when I play by the bridge. I also rest my pinky on it(folded over) when I pluck between the pickups.

The binding is completely untouched by my forearm or wrist. At least not enough to feel it.

Pick style is also very comfortable for me. I very rarely pick by the bridge but I do. I like to play "Your Wildest Dreams" by Moody Blues and picking by the bridge nail that piano tone on a RIC.

Again, I believe some people have trouble with the ergonomics but I don't pretend to understand how.

 

[Mastermold]

I don't doubt some people struggle with 4003 ergonomics. However, I just can't see why. I honestly just don't get it. I pay my RIC 3, 4 even 5 hours sometimes. My Bridge pickup cover is always left on and makes a great thumb rest when I play by the bridge. I also rest my pinky on it(folded over) when I pluck between the pickups.

The binding is completely untouched by my forearm or wrist. At least not enough to feel it.

Pick style is also very comfortable for me. I very rarely pick by the bridge but I do. I like to play "Wildest Dreams" by ELP and picking by the bridge nail that piano tone on a RIC.

Again, I believe some people have trouble with the ergonomics but I don't pretend to understand how.

Yeah like you never had a problem but some folks here on TB complain about it, and prefer the S for the smooth contour. I never had a problem with the slab body Fenders either. Could be body type or technique or maybe both.

 

[IngloriousOz]

I've had dozens of 4003's over the years, I love the way they look and will always be into them but as far as comfort my 4004 & V63 can't be beat.

 

[jeffb28451]

I’ve owned 4. Always took about 3-4 days before I asked , “ Why did you do that?” Just kept hearing a weird “ plastiky” overtone , no matter what strings. Fat necks, not-so-fat necks ( no skinny ones, though) Rotos, NYXL, LoRiders, et. Hip shot, 4 different amps…

Pretty much gave up but recently found a 2018 4003s and threw on a Hipshot. It’s the “It girl”: not my favorite bass or most or least expensive, but it does “ Rickenbacker “ the way I’ve always wanted.

I guess their handwork and therefore, relative inconsistency are a blessing or a curse, but just have to be dealt with. I’d never buy a Ric without playing it in person. And I’d really like to live with one for a few days to make sure I was really in love and not just infatuated…I know, I’ve seen me do it…


Sorta reminds me of old Martin guitars or esp. Marshall guitar amps with component specs at +/- 10%. Any given cap, resistor, etc. could be up to 20% out ( or in, depending) from the same Marshall made immediately before or after. One great, one not-so-great.

i guess, like the little girl with the little curl right in the middle of her forehead : when she’s good she’s very, very good, but when she’s bad, she’s horrid.

 

[Javo99]

I have a 1978 Jazz bass, a 1973 Precision and some more not-so-old stuff. I had a 4003 from the 80s. I really don't like it too much (I miss its low weight, it is very light compared to the Precision). I ended up changing it for an Alembic.

 

[basmansam]

I've had dozens of 4003's over the years, I love the way they look and will always be into them but as far as comfort my 4004 & V63 can't be beat.

View attachment 4509890

I always wondered where the DS 4004 went to!!

 

[Jeff Scott]

Here's a recording made with my old '98 4001V63 (a 4003 variant).

 

[luciens]

I've lost track of how many I've owned, but I gigged with a 4001 and a 4003s for a number of years. Yes, ergonomically they're a disaster (won't go into details here), but the 4003 is overall a classic for sure. In terms of tone, probably closest to the Jazz Bass overall.

Speaking specifically about the 4003 neck, it's partly hand-shaped on the humungous belt-sander at the Rick factory, so each one is slightly different. A little rounder or flatter, or thicker, etc. To me what's distinctive about what it feels like is it seems like it's the same thickness all the way up and down. Just as fat at the nut as it is up near the body. The 33" scale does make it comfortable, at least it did for me. Definitely doesn't feel like a Fender or other FSO, though...

I don't own one right now - first time in almost 30 years that I haven't had one - but may eventually cave into the GAS and get a 4003s....

L

 

[DrBnz]

Yeah... I have a 4003w that's outstanding. But be sure you've held one before you get it. I like P bass thickness, but this is one up from that. It (as they say) baseball bat "thick". Now I find it noticeably fat when you first start playing, but you'll adapt quickly and I find that you really like that THICK neck. But..... Ditch the cover immediately and slap in a treble bezel. I tried to like it, I can't believe the nite/day difference it made when I took it off. I'd also mention it is one of my lightest (8.9lbs). Now a Ric is way cool... sexy looks, great sound. I love playing with it. But........... my P bass and EBMMs somehow always beat it out. No, I won't sell it, but its not ever gonna be my #1 either.