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Rickenbacker 4003 body differences

#21
Axstar said:
...the bass-side horn on the new basses are thinner even than they were on late '60s basses?
Click to expand...
Yes, it is , as is the treble side, too. My preference is for the '60-early '70s shape (in between those two JG models in above photos by the O.P.), which was perfectly proportioned, as far as the body shape goes (neck pickup location, and type, helps a lot here, too). :thumbsup:

Like this one, for example:
4001-1200_0735.jpg
 
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#23
I'm currently assembling parts to build a tribute Rick. I measured a friend's two 4001's. A 2016 4001S midnight blue, and a fireglo 1974. Without going into too much detail here, the bodies are very different, the '74 has the aforementioned and nicely exhibited here, larger body. The wood working on the routs, is absolutely awful. I have photos that show it, but trust me, it's bad. The rest of the craftsmanship is totally alright.
The weird routing is hidden under the pickguard, bridge pickup frame and bridge, so most folks would never know. The 2016 instrument has really nice routing, fit and finish.
What I found even more interesting, is the difference in the body THICKNESSES. The '74 body, is 1-5/16" and the newer 'S is a sixteenth thicker at 1-3/8" !
A personal note: The pickups are all visually identical- the neck and bridge pickups in both basses are the 'button' type. They are the 'high gain' in the 'S.' I LOVE the sound of the new 'S' model, and I do not care for the sound of the '74 at all! Yes, they both have that familiar Rick sound- but the 'S' has a much better tone, especially with both pickups on full. Amazing how two similar basses can sound so different.
 
#24
LHbassist said:
...I do not care for the sound of the '74 at all! Yes, they both have that familiar Rick sound- but the 'S' has a much better tone, especially with both pickups on full. Amazing how two similar basses can sound so different.
Click to expand...
Most likely, the 4001 still has the .0047µF cap in-line with the bridge pickup.

BTW, the 2016 model is a 4003S, not a 4001S.
 
#25
Jeff Scott said:
Most likely, the 4001 still has the .0047µF cap in-line with the bridge pickup.

BTW, the 2016 model is a 4003S, not a 4001S.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the model clarification. I remember when I was repair teching at a huge music store in Brooklyn, the 2003 came out- and it had a new two piece pickguard. Other than that and the obvious differences in the bound and unbound models, I'm not a Rick expert. I do know I did not care for the push pull cap engagement on the 'S' model. It made it sound, well- as you implied. Measuring these two basses was a real eye- opener! I much prefer the 'S' and that's what I will make my templates from. Another thing- the 79 plays great, the 'S' plays very well now, after a desperately needed setup.
As a luthier, I'm always learning things.. good for overall wisdom, right when you are able to make practical use of it the least- near the end of life... lol!
 
#30
I tried new 2020 as well as an old 1979 Rickenbacker, which got the 0.047 cap removed,
so it should sound equal to the 2020.
It's true the old one has much better balance, while the new one have heavy neck dive.
It's not only the larger hornes, it also has to do with the neck width and depth.
I prefer the "U" profile of the new necks more but that said, they also very thick,
which can and was uncomfortable for someone like me with small hands.
The old 79' has what i'd describe as a "C" shape, but i'm not a big fan of "C" shapes. I noticed the new one has godlike sustain, which the 79 didn't had.
The new one has much more sustain and i would also say it sounds a tiny bit better.
I prefer the old headstock as it nicely transitions from the neck into that beautiful shape we all love.

All in all: I find the new ones sound better but their design is very flawed aesthetically but also practically.
The huge neck and inlays looks weird in comparison with the small light weight body. And if you get the bass in your hands it feels like you only have neck in your hand without the body. Id really love a Rickenbacker that combines the strengths of the old ones with the strength of the new ones, with maybe a "D" neck profile. Now that would be the perfect bass for me!
 

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