Rickenbacker Users: Honest thoughts on the 4001/4003?

[dbsfgyd1]

I'm not at all unique in having a few "dream basses", ones that I've always wanted to have but have usually been *just* out of reach. I'm fortunate to have experience with most of them, but the Rickenbacker has always eluded me. I was able to get very close to one played by a member of a local metal band once, but that's about it.
For some time, I've had a "Ricky Bass Fund". I've dipped into it here and there for general bass-related expenses, but the intention has always been to one day get that Rickenbacker. But now that I've progressed so much as a player and have heard such polarizing reviews of these classic models, I wonder if my cash might be better spent elsewhere (perhaps a Gibson Grabber, which has been my no. 2 dream bass about as long as I've fantasized about the Rickenbacker). I would like to hear what the former and current Rickenbacker owners of TalkBass have to say about your experiences-- the good and the bad.

I had a 74 4001 for about 34 years. I used it with a ROS set up in touring band back in the 70's with no FOH bass support. To buy the amps and cabs I had for it today would be about 3 times the cost of the bass. As of the experience, totally mind blowing, and today worthlessly obsolete.

I started recording when the touring days ended and found Fender basses worked better for the music at hand more often than not. So the Rick for the most part spent the next 25 years until I sold it in the case.It was a really good instrument, stable a rock!

I did play a 4003 recently and I was really disappointed. Fit, finish, play ability, and especially the fat neck were terrible. My first thought was it was a Chinese knock off. It was that bad.

 

[sgiacomo]

I'm not at all unique in having a few "dream basses", ones that I've always wanted to have but have usually been *just* out of reach. I'm fortunate to have experience with most of them, but the Rickenbacker has always eluded me. I was able to get very close to one played by a member of a local metal band once, but that's about it.
For some time, I've had a "Ricky Bass Fund". I've dipped into it here and there for general bass-related expenses, but the intention has always been to one day get that Rickenbacker. But now that I've progressed so much as a player and have heard such polarizing reviews of these classic models, I wonder if my cash might be better spent elsewhere (perhaps a Gibson Grabber, which has been my no. 2 dream bass about as long as I've fantasized about the Rickenbacker). I would like to hear what the former and current Rickenbacker owners of TalkBass have to say about your experiences-- the good and the bad.

Former original owner of a 2012 Rickenbacker 4003 in ruby red. It was one of my dream basses as well. The fit and finish were outstanding and the tone was incredible. However, I could never physically get comfortable playing it. The ergonomics just didn't work for me so I sold it.

 

[FunkHead]

For me , Ricks play effortlessly. They are my main basses and I love the fact that every single note is loud and proud anywhere on the neck. I never had a QC issue except for some paint lifting. That is pretty minor but it's a real issue for a few model years.

 

[bobyoung53]

Sorry, long read.

My experience: I bought a new 4001 in 1977 after having played only Fender Precisions for almost ten years. It was a very different feeling and sounding bass, I didn't play it very often and really didn't give it a chance. I bought it because it was the in thing at that time and cool looking. Eventually I traded it off for something although somewhat reluctantly.

Fast forward ten years, someone told me about a fretless 4001 in a shop, I'd never heard of one so had to go see it. Went and bought it. Bought another fretted one. In the intervening years I've owned, conservatively speaking around 30 or more. I took the time to get used to what I saw as their idiosyncrasies (at that time). Regardless of what a lot of people say, out of that thirty most of which I bought on ebay sight unseen, I have never bought a lemon, some had somewhat larger necks, some smaller etc. I had a few with weak E syndrome which I learned was usually a set up issue. I learned how to correctly adjust 4001 folded truss rods which is a LOT easier than most people think.

So all in all I've been playing them for 46 years at this point, own three now, one of which was a new 4003S bought a couple of years ago, own a '79 4001 and an '85 4003FL (factory fretless). I had to sell a lot of them due to financial reasons about fifteen years ago. I regretted buying none of them.

Another thing is that used Rics are some times not set up very well, if you take the time you learn how to set them up you'll be ahead of the game. If you're going to buy a Ric, plan on taking some time to get used to them, they're very different than a Fender. Double truss rods are easy to set up, just set them to approximately the same tension, if one side is a little too straight, loosen that side a bit.
Incidentally if you think a Rickenbacker is difficult to get used to try an upright bass.

My opinion: I believe a lot of players (not all) buy them and play around with them for a period of time but never commit to them and dump them and then bash them like you dump a beautiful women or man who has her or her own ideas about how to do things, a lot of people buy them because they're pretty and want that Chris Squire, Geddy Lee, bla bla bla tone but don't want to take the time to learn how to get used to them but of course most are going to deny that very thing and will blame the bass not the player.

I'm just as at home now with a Ric as I am with any other bass and have been for years. Some are better than others yes but I've never owned one I couldn't bring back to playing and sounding good. They're very versatile basses if you take the time to get used to them. Incidentally I own all sort of basses and some of them were just as different to me as a ric, for ex. EB-3's and thunderbirds, even Fender Jazz basses took some getting used to for me. I have learned that if I keep at something long enough I will most likely end up learning its secrets and will like it, no bass has beat me yet including upright basses.

One thing I do do though which makes a lot of difference is to bypass the little cap in the bridge pickup circuit that was installed until the middle of 1984 on both 4001's and 4003's.

Just one more thing, many players during the 70's used rotosound Swing bass 66's, that is an important part of that sound, the other part is learning how to get that sound, it's more difficult than you would think, that is not generic Rickenbacker sound, that is the player's sound they got out of whatever combination they used and how they played that combination.

 

[pbass2]

My first bass was a 4001. Best bass U'd ever owned…until I bought a second bass - a Kramer lumie. That Kramer had a lot of things the Ric didn't, and I sold the Ric.

Most other basses have some of Leo's dna in them - neck mounting, scale lengths, string spacing, pickup types and/or locations. Ric's we're developed in parallel - they have none of that. They are truly their own thing.

Ric's are good at certain things, but until you have one in your hands and play it, you're not gonna know if a Ric is YOUR thing.

Same here--I got a new off the rack '74 4001 when I was a teen Yes-head. Hardly ever got my mitts on any other bass(and I thought Fenders were "boring"). I played that bass into my mid-twenties and then switched to mostly FSOs, sold the Ric. I wish I still had it of course as it was my first good bass, but honestly the ergonomics of them are just not my thing, I just had nothing to compare it to at the time. If I had one now I'd record with it here and there, but it wouldn't see any extended playing time. Too uncomfortable.

 

[Kevorargh]

I had a mid-70's 4001 that had been modded with 4003 electronics because the previous owner had put Gibson pick-ups and a different pick guard on it. I loved it, but fell into other basses about 10 years on and sold it. About 5-6 years ago, I got the itch again, and bought a 4003 on eBay sight unseen, and it is now my #1 bass. I forgot that I really loved this bass and that my sound is a Ric.

Good Luck!

 

[Lucas Carioli]

It's not the most comfortable bass. The neck is large, the slab contour could be a pain in the ass. But i like very much the sound and feel and look. For rock'n' roll there's nothing like it, except maybe a good old Fender Precision. Also it's not the most versatile of the basses. When you want to slow down and just play that warmy soft song it just don't work. His business is just fast and furious.Two years ago i bought back an '94 Jazz Bass MIJ and frankly i've been playing more with it now.

 

[bobyoung53]

Incidentally if the slab ergonomics don't work for you try a 4003S, no binding and are contoured.

 

[May Cassidy]

For me, they're far more comfortable than a Fender, and I like the fact that there's relatively little neck taper, unlike a Jazz, and the string spacing is slightly tighter.

I do quite like tight spacing and little neck taper; my favorite bass I currently own is a Guild Starfire II which has both, and that bass isn't what I'd call ergonomic either, but that doesn't stop me from trying to use it on as many things as possible.

 

[May Cassidy]

Incidentally if the slab ergonomics don't work for you try a 4003S, no binding and are contoured.

This is probably what's going to push me to actually try one; I love telecasters and telecaster basses, but I love the feeling of a StingRay's forearm contour too.

 

[bobyoung53]

I put something like this into a Ric discussion last week, all Ric basses:

BIG bottom:



Soft melodic song:




Yes:

 

[80jazz]

That being said, I'll readily acknowledge that perhaps more than other basses, Rics are an instrument that either work for you ergonomically, or they don't. Some people just cannot get comfortable on them, and that's okay. We're all built differently. For me, they're far more comfortable than a Fender, and I like the fact that there's relatively little neck taper, unlike a Jazz, and the string spacing is slightly tighter. So, I'll echo the much-repeated admonition to try one if at all possible before you buy one.

I am fortunate in that the ergonomics never bothered me. I have 2 Rics with plans of a third.

It may be wise to try it, but I never had an issue with them.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

The newest 4003 have solved most (but not all) of the more familiar gripes about Rics:

1. Hard to adjust the bridge for intonation - solved by the new V2 bridge, though the mute assembly still prevents palm muting behind the bridge pickup. The new bridge also solved the "tail-lift" issue, were older bridges bent under string tension, by having a separate string anchor under the chrome cover.

2. Difficult to access and easily damaged double trussrod nuts - Changed to a single modern Double-Action trussrod that uses standard hex keys available in any hardware store.

3. The bridge pickup cover is right over a "sweet spot". Still true, but it's easily removed, and the resulting gap easily infilled with a "treble bezel" by Tubeampology. Ric also makes a blatant rip-off of they same device, but don't buy it if, as Ric claims to, you support Intellectual Property rights.

4. The necks are chunky. - They seem to vary the neck profile on a yearly basis, so roll the dice. Certain years are known to be "skinny neck" years, and in general the 4001 had thinner necks, but it's all over the map. The necks average 1-5/8" nut width, so like a P-Bass, but very little taper, so they feel thinner in the high registers. Current production neck profile is more or less "C" profile that would be familiar to P-Bass players.

5. Peeling and bubbling finish - This was a real and exhaustively well-documented QC problem that lasted for around 10 years, but they seem to have figured it out. I haven't see any recent basses with this happening. If you buy one new, check around the bridge and other hardware.

6. Anemic bridge pickup - A lot of people removed the tone cap on the bridge pup that stripped most of the bass out of the pickup, now they have a push/pull pot that takes that cap in or out of the circuit for "vintage" or "modern" tone.

7. Crappy factory case - still true. The 4001 came stock with a very nice (and heavy) tolex case, but they switched to a cheaper/lighter plastic case that is notorious for the "feet" along the bottom edge breaking and punching through to the case innards when even lightly dropped. You can still get the Tolex cases, but they are around $350 last I checked.

8. Heavy - Except for the "W" models, all Rics are solid maple, and average 9lbs +, which I wouldn't call heavy. The W (walnut) models have walnut wings attached to a maple neck beam, and average a full pound lighter.

9. Bad Ergonomics - Still partly true on bound body models, which either bothers you or not, depending on where you park your forearm while playing. The "S" models have no binding ad rounded edges, so it's a matter of choice. Neck dive isn't an issue with Rics, I've never handled one that had any more than very minimal neck dive.

10. "One trick Pony". Complete Horsesh**. Rics are as versatile as any two pup bass, and if you like that classic Ric Clank, nothing else will really do it. The addition of "Ric-o-Sound" makes them pretty unique, though few people exploit it to it's full potential.

In summary, a Ric makes you "work for it" a little harder than some basses, but any minor annoyances or compromise are more than compensated by that TONE. If you don't love the TONE, don't buy a Ric.

 

[CochinoBass]

I bought my 89 4003 new and I have never had any issues with it. The neck is perfect, not too thin, not too thick, and it is all original and unmodified. I never even knew it had bad ergonomics until I joined TB about a year ago.

 

[FunkHead]

I do quite like tight spacing and little neck taper; my favorite bass I currently own is a Guild Starfire II which has both, and that bass isn't what I'd call ergonomic either, but that doesn't stop me from trying to use it on as many things as possible.

I don't know if my 2 Ricks are rare exceptions but the necks are tiny. I can wrap my hand around the neck in 1st position and my fingers overlap my thumb. One is a 2016 in Midnight Blue and the other is a 2021~ in Jet-Glo.
For having dual truss rods, they are ridiculously thin. I love them both Equally.
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[bylar13]

My experience is that you are going to have that Ric itch until you scratch that Ric itch.

You are correct - these things are polarizing, and I don't think a Ric is for everyone, but I'll give you my experience - I played a Ric back in my HS jazz band and hated it - a big portion of that is because I hated HS and jazz band. FFWD to a few years ago and I somehow got GAS for a RIC. On the advice of some folks I started with a 4003s. I hated it. Hated. Was just not me, mostly because of the neck. GAS was unabated, and I heard that 4001's have a very different neck, so I ended up picking up a 77 4001.

LOVE it. Absolutely love it. Great neck, great bass, definitely a keeper. The neck on the 4001 was very different than the 4003s.

A few weeks ago I picked up a late model 4003 in trade, with the expectation that I would end up selling it (I have two custom basses inbound shortly and need the funds). I really regret selling it now - again, it was a great bass - loved the neck, the weight, and of course nothing sounds like a Ric. I loved it so much that a 4003 is on my list of basses to pick up after the customs arrive.

So there you have it - Ric hater to Ric lover. My advice as well - buy used - they pop up on the board here quite regularly, and they hold their value well, so if you buy and don't like it, you can get rid of them fairly quickly. If you can find one to try locally then great, but I wouldn't hesitate to pick one up for a good price online knowing that you can get rid of them fairly quickly and for little loss of $$$. I would stay away from the vintage ones at first though - pick up a later model 4003 and give it a spin!

Also, if it helps, I am primarily a Jazz Bass-type player.

I bought El Jeffe's 4003s and I also hated it! I had played a number of older Ric's (4001s & 4003's)back in the late 80's and really liked them. This bass had a neck like an aircraft carrier deck!

I then got a 1974 Azureglo 4001 and loved the neck but it had structural issues, so that was sold.

Ended up with a 1988 4003s. Has the neck I like, swapped the bridge for a hipshot and put in more modern Ric higain pickups with adjustable pole pieces. Love this bass. A keeper for sure. Definitely try before you buy, if possible. My personal favorite era for Ric basses is from 86'-97' .

 

[Harper]

Not much to add beyond saying that literally everything in this thread, good and bad, is true. Love mine for what it is, but wish I would've gotten a 4003S for the ergonomics.

By all means, try one before you buy one.

 

[bobyoung53]

I don't know if my 2 Ricks are rare exceptions but the necks are tiny. I can wrap my hand around the neck in 1st position and my fingers overlap my thumb. One is a 2016 in Midnight Blue and the other is a 2021~ in Jet-Glo.
For having dual truss rods, they are ridiculously thin. I love them both Equally.
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Did they offer black trim in 2021 again? I've always wanted a black/black Ric since I saw Pete Farndon of the Pretenders with one in a video years ago, haven't seen that video again though.

 

[moon-bass]

I bought El Jeffe's 4003s and I also hated it! I had played a number of older Ric's (4001s & 4003's)back in the late 80's and really liked them. This bass had a neck like an aircraft carrier deck!

I then got a 1974 Azureglo 4001 and loved the neck but it had structural issues, so that was sold.

Ended up with a 1988 4003s. Has the neck I like, swapped the bridge for a hipshot and put in more modern Ric higain pickups with adjustable pole pieces. Love this bass. A keeper for sure. Definitely try before you buy, if possible. My personal favorite era for Ric basses is from 86'-97' .

Oh man, I am so sorry to hear that you hated it, I initially thought all Rics had that kind of neck. I am glad though that you found one that you liked - same as me!

Also speaks to the variability of Rics and necks on them in general.

 

[bylar13]

Oh man, I am so sorry to hear that you hated it, I initially thought all Rics had that kind of neck. I am glad though that you found one that you liked - same as me!

Also speaks to the variability of Rics and necks on them in general.

HA! It was no fault of yours! That bass sounded and looked great but the neck was unlike any RIC I had ever encountered before. I took it to 3 different techs and none were willing to shave the gigantic "D" shape out of it. I knew when I was missing notes (wide neck spacing) while playing live, it had to go.