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Rickenbacker Users: Honest thoughts on the 4001/4003?

#61
When a bass is so uncomfortable that it makes playing a Thunderbird feel great....

My 4003 was a short lived "bucket list" bass. I came close to trying another a couple years ago. Looks aside, there ain't much I like about them. Noisy electronics, uber uncomfortable, sticky finish that never felt fully cured, horrible bridge (makes a Gibson 3 pt seem AMAZING), and on and on. That's just my experience and outlook on them. Tons of players love 'em to death, so I'm probably in the minority. YMMV.

I'd definitely check them out in person first if at all possible.
 
#62
I've been playing a '79 Ric for 44 years and absolutely love it. It's the one bass I own that will be bequeathed to my grandsons (they can fight over which one gets it).

What I've learned over the years is that the necks on the '70s Rics are much more comfortable than any of the 4003 models. That's one of the reasons they command such high prices on the used market.

So - - as with anything else, try before you buy. Forget all the noise some people put out about Rics, play one, listen carefully and see if it speaks to you.
 
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#65
I bought my first Ric in the early 70s. I still have it as it has been a fantastic bass. The truss rods had to be replaced shortly after I bought it, but they've been fine since. I replaced the bridge around '75, so the bass is a snap to intonate. It was my number one for 20 years or so, and as such, the tuners wore out, so those were replaced. The frets have been replaced twice. This last part because the frets are small and I played a LOT back in the day. I've never understood the ergonomic issues many folks seem to have. I've played a number of 4003 basses as well. The 4003 is merely a different sonic flavor relative to a 4001, so the obvious answer is to get at least one of each. I've owned a number of them, but I have only kept the first one.
 
#66
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#67
I used Ricks for over thirty five years. Have had three 4001s. They worked for everything from Rock to Country. BUT for me, I have found them to have too much treble in a live mix.( I used flats for about ten years too) I hear the 4003 are more bottom heavy ? Good Looking Bass's But I'll Never own another.
 
#71
I stumbled into an 81 Ric 4001 several months ago. I've experienced none of the ergonomic issues ya hear about. The neck is dead straight and isn't noticeably thicker or thinner than my jazz necks. The slim body feels great and my forearm rests a bit more naturally than on my FSOs. The action is low and fast, it plays great.

I've heard the sound described as more "textured" than most basses, and that rings true for me. It's a great rock bass with a great history.

And the design..it looks like something that could be in an art museum...


IMG_0410.JPG IMG_0411.JPG
 
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#73
I purchased my 4001 Rick new in 1973 and it still plays and and sounds great. Over the years, I've gigged in a lot of Rock, Blues, Country and Pop bands without any tone issues. I've never had to adjust the neck, and only occasionally adjusted the pickups and saddles. It also stays in tune. Although I love my Precision and Stingray basses, the Rick is my all-time favorite.
'73 Rickenbacker 4001.jpg
 
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#74
Bluesrock said:
I purchased my 4001 Rick new in 1973 and it still plays and and sounds great. Over the years, I've gigged in a lot of Rock, Blues, Country and Pop bands without any tone issues. I've never had to adjust the neck, and only occasionally adjusted the pickups and saddles. It also stays in tune. Although I love my Precision and Stingray basses, the Rick is my all-time favorite.
View attachment 5015140
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Dang, like the way you roll.
 
#75
I've owned a mid-70's 4001 (got stolen), a 4003, and a 4003SW. I REALLY wanted to love them but they all drove me nuts. Without going into too much detail - Ric basses seem to all have necks with a FORWARD RAKE! Not only do I find this offensive aesthetically, it also makes bridge adjustment virtually impossible. Fit and finish were also issues for me. A couple of CNC adjustments would help a lot but nobody asked me. :eyebrow:
 
#76
An instrument that isn't hum cancelling drives me nuts. So, if I was gonna get one I would need to find a pair of noiseless pickups that still sounded Riccy.

The one's I've played sounded and felt nice, although I've never put one through the paces with my own rig.

I have a feeling it would probably be an instrument I liked but didn't get a ton of practical use.
 
#77
Bluesrock said:
I purchased my 4001 Rick new in 1973 and it still plays and and sounds great. Over the years, I've gigged in a lot of Rock, Blues, Country and Pop bands without any tone issues. I've never had to adjust the neck, and only occasionally adjusted the pickups and saddles. It also stays in tune. Although I love my Precision and Stingray basses, the Rick is my all-time favorite.
View attachment 5015140
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Nice bass, does that have the screw top bridge pickup? The green color of the base looks correct for them.
 
#79
DaveParker39 said:
An instrument that isn't hum cancelling drives me nuts. So, if I was gonna get one I would need to find a pair of noiseless pickups that still sounded Riccy.

The one's I've played sounded and felt nice, although I've never put one through the paces with my own rig.

I have a feeling it would probably be an instrument I liked but didn't get a ton of practical use.
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I used to play stereo and with the lights back then my 4001 was very noisy, I completely shielded it with thin copper tape and it became the quietest bass I owned at that time. I had to actually aim it at sources to get any noise and the pickup aperture was very narrow.
 
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