Rickenbacker Users: Honest thoughts on the 4001/4003?

[ctmullins]

You can play anything on a Ric. They are more versatile than people think. Many people always seem to describe them as " Clanky".? I mean, I can make about any bass clanky. Except for maybe a hollow body and Gibson's with only that big humbucker.

Exactly.

Anybody who says a Rick isn't versatile simply doesn't know how to twist knobs.

 

[hieronymous]

Exactly.

Anybody who says a Rick isn't versatile simply doesn't know how to twist knobs.

Or utilize different playing techniques.

 

[May Cassidy]

Exactly.

Anybody who says a Rick isn't versatile simply doesn't know how to twist knobs.

I've always thought the versatility comments were odd, just the fact that Chris Squire and Paul McCartney both played 4001's with a pick and sounded so incredibly different tells me it's more about other factors than the bass itself (the player, strings, amps, recording technique, etc.)

 

[prowla]

Oh my.....that's like a centerfol from an old Playboy magazine. I have a 2018 5'er. I don't play it a lot but have kept it just to say I have one.

Haha!
I think I bought the 5-er "because", but the neck was very un-Ric-like; I found I was playing my Warwicks instead.

 

[prowla]

Exactly.

Anybody who says a Rick isn't versatile simply doesn't know how to twist knobs.

I remember going into Wunjo a few years ago and there was someone in the next room who had a glorious sound like a double bass; I went in and they were playing a Ric through a Markbass combo!

 

[woodyng2]

The 4003S has the same body contours which makes them playable for me.

Well, not really. The S versions have a smaller tummy cut, but there's no real contouring for the forearm. The area above the bridge is actually still mostly flat edged, front and rear.
The 4004 models have much more overall contouring, but especially the forearm area. And just like neck dimensions,
the contouring amount can vary….I've owned 3 Cheyenne ii, 3 Laredos, and one walnut Ci, and there's been quite a bit of variation. (The Ci wins the sleekness prize by a mile…)
I need to take some photos from above the top edge,but here's what i got for now.

 

[Sloppy Hack]

I've never played a ric bass. I have played some ric guitars, although not recently. The ones I played had quality control issues that were deal breakers for me. For example, a neck should not have knots in it, one I tried did. For what they charge the qc should be better.

 

[Sparky Mark]

Well, not really. The S versions have a smaller tummy cut, but there's no real contouring for the forearm. The area above the bridge is actually still mostly flat edged, front and rear.
The 4004 models have much more overall contouring, but especially the forearm area. And just like neck dimensions,
the contouring amount can vary….I've owned 3 Cheyenne ii, 3 Laredos, and one walnut Ci, and there's been quite a bit of variation. (The Ci wins the sleekness prize by a mile…)
I need to take some photos from above the top edge,but here's what i got for now.
View attachment 5017047 View attachment 5017048

I'm sure you are correct about the more generous contours of the 4004 but the absence of the sharp edged binding is the significant factor for me.

 

[metron]

Whats all this about sharp edge binding? How hard do you guys lean on the bass? Its not that bad.

 

[bobyoung53]

I've always thought the versatility comments were odd, just the fact that Chris Squire and Paul McCartney both played 4001's with a pick and sounded so incredibly different tells me it's more about other factors than the bass itself (the player, strings, amps, recording technique, etc.)

Most people that complain about them most likely never took the time to get used to them, some people stick with the same type of bass all their lives. I own Fender, Gibsons and Rics.
Ya gotta be careful with Fenders though, try them before you buy because they're all over the place. Thick necks, Weigh a ton! Loose neck pockets, G strings hanging off the neck, can't get the action down low enough, stripped screws, I'm tellin' ya: TRY THE FENDER BEFORE YOU BUY IT!

 

[farace]

Most people that complain about them most likely never took the time to get used to them, some people stick with the same type of bass all their lives. I own Fender, Gibsons and Rics.
Ya gotta be careful with Fenders though, try them before you buy because they're all over the place. Thick necks, Weigh a ton! Loose neck pockets, G strings hanging off the neck, can't get the action down low enough, stripped screws, I'm tellin' ya: TRY THE FENDER BEFORE YOU BUY IT!

It seems you've met my old '72 Tele Bass! Louisville Slugger neck, in need of constant truss rod adjustment anytime a cloud went by, unstable attachment (I will never ever own another three-bolt Fender bass!), heavy. had it for thirty years but I traded it a few years ago for an '83 Ric 4003 and haven't regretted it for a moment.

 

[bobyoung53]

It seems you've met my old '72 Tele Bass! Louisville Slugger neck, in need of constant truss rod adjustment anytime a cloud went by, unstable attachment (I will never ever own another three-bolt Fender bass!), heavy. had it for thirty years but I traded it a few years ago for an '83 Ric 4003 and haven't regretted it for a moment.

I had an early humbucker tele too, it had a four bolt neck and was stable but it needed a bridge pickup at least. It did have a big neck too but I played mostly P bass so I was used to them.

 

[Erik Stokley]

I've owned a few ricks over the years and played dozens in stores, and they definitely vary quite a bit though different production periods. Ive really liked some, and really disliked some. first was a 2003 4003, loved it, played like a dream and had a nice rounded neck profile. then a 2015 4004, very comfortable body but had the modern D neck shape which can feel awkward. then a 2015 walnut, my least favorite, had fret sprout which pushed the binding out creating humps all the way down the neck, and it just felt the least like a Rick out of what I'd tried. then came a 2020 4003 bought new from sweet water, it was a total lemon, had finish flaws, bad fretwork and the new bridge couldn't be dialed low enough to have a comfortable action. I returned it in less than 48 hours. those last two turned me off of ricks for a while, until I came into my current 4003. it's a 96 mapleglo, beautiful woodgrain, very thin rounded neck profile and beefy upper horns. Ive modded it quite a bit, but it's my favorite to date. and tonight I happened to pickup up another 4003. this new one being from 2002, and it feels exactly like my first Rick from 2003, may become my new favorite.

 

[JEDI BASS]

I've always thought the versatility comments were odd, just the fact that Chris Squire and Paul McCartney both played 4001's with a pick and sounded so incredibly different tells me it's more about other factors than the bass itself (the player, strings, amps, recording technique, etc.)

Agree. Several comments have stated what I feel… a players sound comes from them, not the bass. I have about 40 bass guitars: active, passive, Ric, Fender, etc etc. I decide right before I leave for a gig, which basses will come with me. And, no matter what I take (and I usually bring 3 and rotate them throughout the show) I sound like me.

 

[Sparky Mark]

Whats all this about sharp edge binding? How hard do you guys lean on the bass? Its not that bad.

View attachment 5017515

I agree that for many players the binding is simply not a problem but this particular issue is well known and mentioned regularly in similar threads. The forearm contour was introduced decades ago by Fender for a reason.
It's fine when I play 4003 fingerstyle but with a pick my forearm makes contact with the binding and it's the pick sound I love, not so much fingerstyle, so the 4003SW is the perfect answer for me.

 

[Sparky Mark]

I've owned a few ricks over the years and played dozens in stores, and they definitely vary quite a bit though different production periods. Ive really liked some, and really disliked some. first was a 2003 4003, loved it, played like a dream and had a nice rounded neck profile. then a 2015 4004, very comfortable body but had the modern D neck shape which can feel awkward. then a 2015 walnut, my least favorite, had fret sprout which pushed the binding out creating humps all the way down the neck, and it just felt the least like a Rick out of what I'd tried. then came a 2020 4003 bought new from sweet water, it was a total lemon, had finish flaws, bad fretwork and the new bridge couldn't be dialed low enough to have a comfortable action. I returned it in less than 48 hours. those last two turned me off of ricks for a while, until I came into my current 4003. it's a 96 mapleglo, beautiful woodgrain, very thin rounded neck profile and beefy upper horns. Ive modded it quite a bit, but it's my favorite to date. and tonight I happened to pickup up another 4003. this new one being from 2002, and it feels exactly like my first Rick from 2003, may become my new favorite.

What's that bridge on your mapleglo please? I dislike replacements usually but that looks good. Cheers.

 

[Lucas Carioli]

The binding enhance the shape of the body. Maybe its that why the 4001S its not so cool.

 

[ctmullins]

The binding enhance the shape of the body. Maybe its that why the 4001S its not so cool.

Visually, yes. It looks amazing.

Ergonomically, not so much.

So it depends on if you want to look at it or play it.

 

[Deleted member 394181]

Most people that complain about them most likely never took the time to get used to them, some people stick with the same type of bass all their lives. I own Fender, Gibsons and Rics.
Ya gotta be careful with Fenders though, try them before you buy because they're all over the place. Thick necks, Weigh a ton! Loose neck pockets, G strings hanging off the neck, can't get the action down low enough, stripped screws, I'm tellin' ya: TRY THE FENDER BEFORE YOU BUY IT!

I wanted a Fender GC had about 10 on display. Not one of them resonated unplugged. They seemed dull and lifeless. I ended up ordering an MIM, and its perfect for me. Got lucky.

 

[NecroticImbecil]

Another former owner here. First "real" bass was a '79 4001. The neck was nicer than other Rics I've played. My take on them seems to go against the common experience, which shows I guess that it can happen. I had no problems with the bridge, none of the dreaded lift and I did not find it difficult to adjust. I was not injured by the body edges. One of the coolest looking basses I've owned. Triangle inlays, binding, pickup cover, bridge and most of all the darker wood stripe through the neck were all important parts of this.

It was a bit neck heavy. I almost hate to say it, but it just sounded like a bass to me. Bartolini replacement pickups helped this, elevating it to the best Ric I've heard that wasn't being played by someone legendary. The stock wiring was fine, I had no hate for the cap.

I would always recommend "try before you buy" regardless of the brand.