Rickenbacker 4003

[Ric5]

I was talking used price ...

I also tend to under estimate Ric prices ... My 4003s5 sold for more than I expected.

 

[willsellout]

Nope...not at current prices. They are an economy bass at luxury prices IMO. They have a lot of flaws, but they have incredible tone and excellent playability. But putting them up against other 2K basses, they just don't fit.

Thenagain, you have to figure out what you think it's worth. BTW, I'm not a hater, I have one on order for the old price. I've been waiting 9 months so far with no end in sight. Oh well, I've got two capable basses and have no gaps so I'm patient.


Dan

 

[Mastermold]

Nope...not at current prices. They are an economy bass at luxury prices IMO. They have a lot of flaws, but they have incredible tone and excellent playability. But putting them up against other 2K basses, they just don't fit.

Thenagain, you have to figure out what you think it's worth. BTW, I'm not a hater, I have one on order for the old price. I've been waiting 9 months so far with no end in sight. Oh well, I've got two capable basses and have no gaps so I'm patient.


Dan

I view Rics sort of like T-Birds -- unique bass with unique tone, not versatile like a jazz bass but great at what they do.

 

[willsellout]

I view Rics sort of like T-Birds -- unique bass with unique tone, not versatile like a jazz bass but great at what they do.

Yeah I do too...although I think the Ric is much more versatile than people give it credit for. All in all, I've decided that a Ric is just a bass I need in my arsenal; flaws and all


Dan

 

[Mastermold]

Yeah I do too...although I think the Ric is much more versatile than people give it credit for. All in all, I've decided that a Ric is just a bass I need in my arsenal; flaws and all


Dan

I've played mostly Fender Precisions for years but lately I'm finding I dig my Rics more. Their distinctive growl is a nice change from the clean Fender tone.

 

[derelicte]

ric's have a distinct sound, and only that sound, imo. (it's a useless sound if u ask me) if u like that sound, and only want that sound and have the money, get it. if it was up to me, i'd stay away from ric's altogether. they were pretty cool BACK IN THE DAY, so if you're gonna get a vintage year, go for it. But, if you want a new-faux-vintage-ric (ha!), it's not worth it. the newer models are just hanging off the laurels of a few famous musicians who used them in the past. people saw these bassists and immediately the ric value skyrocketed, and the perception of these basses got forever skewed.


if u were u, i'd just get a cheap bass with top-notch pickups and a great setup, spend the rest of the money on amp. these will give u the best sound, anyway.


are ric's good basses? they're aiite.
are they overprized and overpriced? most definitely.
are they 'worth' it? if you're willing to pay for it.
are there better options out there? hell yes.
am i biased? sure am.
am i gonna get flamed for this? quite possibly.

all imo, ime, and iirc.

 

[gibsonbassist45]

its going to take a while man. but idk maybe it will be worth it. i dont like the fact that its like 2 grand for one. if it was just 1 grand i think it would be more reasonable. but what ever floats your boat,maybe it will me. i just dont know cus i havent tried one yet,but id imagine it would be phenominal.and pardon my mistake on your other thread, once you get one DONT leave/put flatwounds on. geddy used regualar rotosound 66 roundwounds. they say that ricks are meant for flat wounds, but that didnt mean much when people started hearing geddy's bass tone did it??

 

[EnderZ13]

ric's have a distinct sound, and only that sound, imo. (it's a useless sound if u ask me) if u like that sound, and only want that sound and have the money, get it. if it was up to me, i'd stay away from ric's altogether. they were pretty cool BACK IN THE DAY, so if you're gonna get a vintage year, go for it. But, if you want a new-faux-vintage-ric (ha!), it's not worth it. the newer models are just hanging off the laurels of a few famous musicians who used them in the past. people saw these bassists and immediately the ric value skyrocketed, and the perception of these basses got forever skewed.


if u were u, i'd just get a cheap bass with top-notch pickups and a great setup, spend the rest of the money on amp. these will give u the best sound, anyway.

Man the hate is dripping off yuh brow, grab a stage towel and drink a coke and most of all BREATHE. There you go feel better big boy


"a few famous musicians used them..."

That is true a very few in comparison to lets say a Fender P or J

"ric's have a distinct sound, and only that sound..."

Really, you don't say listen to Geddy Lee or Chris Squire and tell me everytime you listen you can tell they a using a Ric vs a Fender Jazz. Also, think of this, a P-bass is a simple as it gets and that bass covers every genre. The Ric is as versatile as the PLAYER

"if u were u, i'd just get a cheap bass with top-notch pickups and a great setup, spend the rest of the money on amp. these will give u the best sound, anyway"

That's why you play a ZON. Take your own advice.

Punter, Ric Hater:scowl:

 

[jetofuj]

Tell me please, what is a retail price for new (2008) Ric 4003. I've seen few on eBay and they oscilate between $2,250-2,500.

 

[MikeyB]

I'm not sure if this was directed at me, but since I'm the only one that mentioned the 4001 and had an opinion different than yours, I'll assume it is. I owned a 1978 azureglo 4001 for 10 years. During that time, I both played on and borrowed other Rickenbackers, including 4003s (as in plural, not the model) from the early 80's (split guard), early 90's, mid 90's, a 2003 model and one of the thinner necked 4003s about 6 months ago. They are completely comparable, aesthetics aside. I stand by my original post. Sorry if this upsets anyone, but the guy asked for opinions and I gave him an honest one. If anyone wants brutally honest, it can be conjured.

Mike

I'm curious and dubious about this, no offense intended, but through the Ric history the sound has changed due to:

* various specs on the pup windings
* type of neck pup (toaster/hi-gain)
* location of neck pup
* that infamous .0047 cap on the bridge pup

And that's just the sound. Obviously the neck profile and 1 vs 2 trussrods is a big difference as well.

So no, I don't see how in the world they are "completely" comparable.


And, to those who say they only do "one sound" - how come Sir Paul's tone doesn't sound like the tone on Roundabout?



-M

 

[mike_v_s]

I'm curious and dubious about this, no offense intended, but through the Ric history the sound has changed due to:

* various specs on the pup windings
* type of neck pup (toaster/hi-gain)
* location of neck pup
* that infamous .0047 cap on the bridge pup

And that's just the sound. Obviously the neck profile and 1 vs 2 trussrods is a big difference as well.

So no, I don't see how in the world they are "completely" comparable.

Alright, no offense intended, but you've got to be kidding me. When I pointed out in my first post in this thread that I had owned a 4001, it was to establish a reference point for my opinion of the basses. When someone challenged it (as people are apt to do on this site) I reinforced it by adding that I have experience with various 4003's, as well.

The 4003 is based on the 4001 and was intended to fix the trussrod issue and be an "update". Are they the same bass? no. But they are comparable. One is a newer iteration (or evolution) of the same idea. I'm not even sure how someone can assert that they are not comparable.

Despite the sweeping changes you're referenced, a 4001 sounds closer to a 4003 than it does to anything else on the market.

I can't help but think that you guys wouldn't have had an issue with my comparing the two if my opinion had been higher of them. I'll say it again, they are nice basses. They're just not worth the current asking price in my opinion.

Sorry?

Mike

 

[By-Tor1000RR]

It's worth every penny to me but then again I bought my used 87' 4003 eleven years ago for $750.

I'll never sell my Ric.

 

[deekay911]

Value and worth is completely subjective. You will get people here who would pay $4000 for a Ric if that was the price, and just as many who wouldn't pay $500. You need to go play one, and figure out if the playability, tone, mojo, build quality (it ain't all that..) are worth the asking price TO YOU.... good luck, maybe you will be a believer..

 

[Barkless Dog]

We're back-ordered two years,'' company owner John Hall said. So he raised prices on all 6- and 12-string guitars and basses by as much as 20 percent this year to cool demand. ``It hasn't completely done that,'' he admitted.

Great basses and are versitle, very well made, but can be uncomfortable to some players.

A great value in the fact you would not loose much value if you sold it, vs a new Carvin, Peavey, Yamaha, Alembic, Ibenez, Spector, Warwick where you loose typically 40-60% once you get your bass.

 

[Phalex]

I've played a Ric for 15+ years. I paid $850.00 for it brand spankin new, (a boat load of money for me back in those days) and I've probably made $3,000.00 a year minimum off of it every year since. So, the price to date has been about $56.00 a year, and it has paid for itself about 53 times over (To date). It has absolutely zero problems, and I expect it will last me another 15 years easy.

So...... Is it worth it?

 

[heinpete]

* location of neck pup
* that infamous .0047 cap on the bridge pup

And that's just the sound. Obviously the neck profile and 1 vs 2 trussrods is a big difference as well.

There are 4001 models (from mid '70ies onwards) which have the same PU location as the 4003.
The current 4003 again has that infamous .0047 cap on the bridge pup (switchable however).
The neck of the 4001 and the 4003 always had 2 truss rods
just of different material and sometimes also location of their nuts.

 

[geddyleefan28]

musiciansfriend.com is now sold out until february. but i can wait. i'm veeeerrrry patient.

 

[Geddyfleaharris]

Tell me please, what is a retail price for new (2008) Ric 4003. I've seen few on eBay and they oscilate between $2,250-2,500.

^^^IMO those are guys hoping that someone pays that because they are tired of waiting for one from somewhere else. Unless you have no other options I don't think you have to pay that much for a new one. You can get new ones from MF for around $1900. Although one poster has pointed out that MF is saying they are sold out until February. They are hard to find in stores. I bought the last Ric that was in our local dealer's store and that was in June of 2007.

As every other poster has pointed out worth is subjective. Rics do it for me so I have not figured out what my upper limit is. In the last year I have bought and sold a Sterling, a Geddy Lee Jazz and a Schecter CV4. Those are all cheaper basses but they weren't for me. I find it tough to play anything else. And really, as narrow minded as this might be, I have no real interest in even playing anything else.

 

[bobyoung53]

I'm not sure if this was directed at me, but since I'm the only one that mentioned the 4001 and had an opinion different than yours, I'll assume it is. I owned a 1978 azureglo 4001 for 10 years. During that time, I both played on and borrowed other Rickenbackers, including 4003s (as in plural, not the model) from the early 80's (split guard), early 90's, mid 90's, a 2003 model and one of the thinner necked 4003s about 6 months ago. They are completely comparable, aesthetics aside. I stand by my original post. Sorry if this upsets anyone, but the guy asked for opinions and I gave him an honest one. If anyone wants brutally honest, it can be conjured.

Mike

I've owned almost 30 since 1977 from a 1972 4001FL which I still have to a 2006 4003 which I don't and aesthetics aside they are completely different, they sound and play different.
For one thing 4001's and 4003's until mid 1984 had a bass cut cap in the circuit of the bridge pickup which gave them their characteristic sound. Neck thickness has gone toward thicker and thicker over the years until very recently, like this year, they are now wider also. The truss rod system is totally different now and has changed twice since the 4001's were made. The new pickups now have adjustable pole pieces and are wound much higher to get a thicker tone, the old ones were usually wound to about 8.5K the newer ones are typically wound to about 11.5K, there is also a vintage tone selector switch in the new ones which insets a cap into the circuit which tries (not too successfully IMHO) to emulate the old 4001 sound.

 

[bobyoung53]

ric's have a distinct sound, and only that sound, imo. (it's a useless sound if u ask me) if u like that sound, and only want that sound and have the money, get it. if it was up to me, i'd stay away from ric's altogether. they were pretty cool BACK IN THE DAY, so if you're gonna get a vintage year, go for it. But, if you want a new-faux-vintage-ric (ha!), it's not worth it. the newer models are just hanging off the laurels of a few famous musicians who used them in the past. people saw these bassists and immediately the ric value skyrocketed, and the perception of these basses got forever skewed.


if u were u, i'd just get a cheap bass with top-notch pickups and a great setup, spend the rest of the money on amp. these will give u the best sound, anyway.


are ric's good basses? they're aiite.
are they overprized and overpriced? most definitely.
are they 'worth' it? if you're willing to pay for it.
are there better options out there? hell yes.
am i biased? sure am.
am i gonna get flamed for this? quite possibly.

all imo, ime, and iirc.

Obviously you have not spent any time with a new 4003, they don't sound or play anything like an old 4001 no matter what anyone says they're completely different animals and will compete favorably in all aspects with any comparably priced bass.