Ive been searching and looking and i want a rick.... like right now.... but i don't have enough money... but i did see a SWEET 1976 rick in jetglo that looked in pretty good condition on bassplace for 700 something odd bucks...... Drooolll...... GOD I WANT IT! OR ANY RICK! now! i was reading this thread, and got to page 5 or 6, but felt i had to put some input on this massive thread. As many people as there are on this thing that have ricks (Or just like talking about them) you don't really see that many of them around,or in bands.
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Rickenbacker
- Thread starter nanook
- Start date
Just received my NOS 4003 FG today, great to have a Rick again. I have read this entire thread today, been very informative, and thought I'd add my 2 cents to it.
I had a Blackstar I got from The Dude last year but traded it off for a Lakland 4-94. I miss the Blackstar so I did a little more trading and now I'm happy again.
Glad to see they've replaced the strap bolts with the Schallers.
Anyone know where I can get the truss rod wrench for it?
I had a Blackstar I got from The Dude last year but traded it off for a Lakland 4-94. I miss the Blackstar so I did a little more trading and now I'm happy again.
Glad to see they've replaced the strap bolts with the Schallers.
Anyone know where I can get the truss rod wrench for it?
You can get a truss rod wrench from Rickenbacker direct.
Go to their website, click on the service button on their home page. From there you can contact them direct to get a price. If you want to buy it from them, then you will have to call to place your order.
If I remember correct, I believe they have a minimum order amount.
So you may just want to get the proper size from them and go to your local hardware store to buy it.
Good luck,
Cheers.
Go to their website, click on the service button on their home page. From there you can contact them direct to get a price. If you want to buy it from them, then you will have to call to place your order.
If I remember correct, I believe they have a minimum order amount.
So you may just want to get the proper size from them and go to your local hardware store to buy it.
Good luck,
Cheers.
Congrats ! Rickenbackers are very peculiar basses, but they are great.
http://www.ricpage.com
All the best,
Ok, i have a question. Why are used vintage rick's, usely cheaper than vintage rick's? I mean, a 71 rick 4001 is cheaper than a 4000 doller 72 jazz bass. Whats up with that? or am i just looking at all the wrong things? also.....4001 or 4003? I would like a new bass, but i can find a cheaper 4001 used and in good condition, and it would be all gravy right? And i'm a little confused, is it only the pre 90's versions that you can do the mod on? or all? And some people saying it makes the bridge hotter, and then some people are saying it's the neck.... Please explain?????!?! please?
Sweet jesus i just saw your creame colored rick on an earlyer page and i think i jizzed my pants jaylanb.
PollyBass : I don't know the exact reason why used Rick's are cheaper than, i.e., used Fender's, but IMHO, except _VERY_ old instruments, a vintage bass is, after all, "just" a used bass.
I also think the many events that occurred at Fender (bought out by CBS in the 60's, etc.), and the many changes that were done to their models, helped having their vintage value increasing. If you look at Rick, you'll see there's no "pre-CBS" models (I mean nothing similar), and there were very few changes in their models over the years. Apart from any consideration of what change is "good" and what change is "bad", it appears that a 1971 4001 is very similar to a new 4003, except on two essential points : the neck P.U. is the not the same, and the neck is supposingly reinforced.
To your question "4001 or 4003 ?", my reply is : "I own a 4003, but I definitely prefer the 4001's". It's a matter of taste though, but you have to know that setting up a 4003 neck requires a special Rickenbacker wrench, and the operation is a bit more "subtle" than on a 4001. In fact, I never had to adjust my previous 4001's and they always played great, with low action and no buzz at all.
My 4003 is not cream, it is white (this finish has been discontinued as of Dec 31st 1999). But according to other owners' experiences, it will probably, one day or another, fade to cream. But the real cream finish at Rickenbacker was that of the 4001 Chris Squire Limited Edition. A great finish, indeed, and a great Rick too.
All the best,
I also think the many events that occurred at Fender (bought out by CBS in the 60's, etc.), and the many changes that were done to their models, helped having their vintage value increasing. If you look at Rick, you'll see there's no "pre-CBS" models (I mean nothing similar), and there were very few changes in their models over the years. Apart from any consideration of what change is "good" and what change is "bad", it appears that a 1971 4001 is very similar to a new 4003, except on two essential points : the neck P.U. is the not the same, and the neck is supposingly reinforced.
To your question "4001 or 4003 ?", my reply is : "I own a 4003, but I definitely prefer the 4001's". It's a matter of taste though, but you have to know that setting up a 4003 neck requires a special Rickenbacker wrench, and the operation is a bit more "subtle" than on a 4001. In fact, I never had to adjust my previous 4001's and they always played great, with low action and no buzz at all.
My 4003 is not cream, it is white (this finish has been discontinued as of Dec 31st 1999). But according to other owners' experiences, it will probably, one day or another, fade to cream. But the real cream finish at Rickenbacker was that of the 4001 Chris Squire Limited Edition. A great finish, indeed, and a great Rick too.
All the best,
All that is needed to adjust the necks on a 4003 is a 1/4" socket on a 3" extension with a 1/4 ratchet (or a nut driver type handle would suffice I assume) and the process is quite simple. I have only had to adjust the necks on my 4003's a few times in the first few years of ownership (both were bought new).....since then no problems at all. I enjoy a little tweaking here or there.....as my playing style evolves, so must my set-up.
....as a side note.....I previously owned an early 70's Ric (I think it was a '73) with checkerboard binding and the toaster neck p/u (never should have sold it but the cost of a needed refret was more than I paid for the Ric) and it had a previously repaired neck crack (hence the need for modern reinforcement I guess) and I also had to tweak the neck several times (early on in ownership until it "settled") to get an adjustment that suited my needs.
jaylanb......I love that white with black binding look also....nice choice. Someday I would like to add a white with white binding to my modest collection.
Brian
4003 Mapleglo/4003 Midnight Blue/4004LK on order
....as a side note.....I previously owned an early 70's Ric (I think it was a '73) with checkerboard binding and the toaster neck p/u (never should have sold it but the cost of a needed refret was more than I paid for the Ric) and it had a previously repaired neck crack (hence the need for modern reinforcement I guess) and I also had to tweak the neck several times (early on in ownership until it "settled") to get an adjustment that suited my needs.
jaylanb......I love that white with black binding look also....nice choice. Someday I would like to add a white with white binding to my modest collection.
Brian
4003 Mapleglo/4003 Midnight Blue/4004LK on order
Thanks for all the info, folks. I have a selection of sockets and drivers that will probably work.
I used the 4003 at my gig Thursday night. I liked it, but our keyboard player (who runs the board) said he couldn't get any "punch" out of the Ric. Of course this makes him a complete twit in my view.
It's not my P-bass or my Lakland 4-94, and it's not going to sound like them, it has it's own personality, and I reminded him that had he taken a couple of minutes to tweak my channel it would have had tons of "punch".
Next week I'll EQ my own sound on the board, should've been doing it all along.
I did notice that the E string was a little lower in volume, with the staggered height of the polepieces it's hard to adjust that.
I used the 4003 at my gig Thursday night. I liked it, but our keyboard player (who runs the board) said he couldn't get any "punch" out of the Ric. Of course this makes him a complete twit in my view.
It's not my P-bass or my Lakland 4-94, and it's not going to sound like them, it has it's own personality, and I reminded him that had he taken a couple of minutes to tweak my channel it would have had tons of "punch".
Next week I'll EQ my own sound on the board, should've been doing it all along.
I did notice that the E string was a little lower in volume, with the staggered height of the polepieces it's hard to adjust that.
Thanks Incubus2432
However, hmmm... it's not really a choice. When I ordered it in last July, I wanted a MapleGlo (natural) or a JetGlo (black) one. Unfortunately, they were not available here. Not in stock at the importer's warehouse. There are many distribution problems here for Rickenbackers.
So I only had the choice for a White one or for a FireGlo (sunburst) one. Since there are many variations from one FireGlo Rick to another, and since I didn't want a too reddish bass, I chose the white one.
Finally, I find it nice, yeah.
All the best,
Originally posted by jaylanb
Thanks for your indulgence
What misled me is the fact that I NEVER had to setup my previous 4001's. 4003's seem to be a bit more capricious though (at least mine does).
All the best,
I'm forced to agree with your assessment of the 4003. I love my mapleglo 4003 (1995), but I have to admit that the neck/trussrod system on it is difficult and finicky. I was always dubious of playing around with the neck, so I had it "professionally" set up about 2-3 years ago. Well, it made me feel alot better about my luthier skills since it came back screwed up twice. I finally took it to a completely different place and had the setup redone again, and while it was better, it wasn't perfect. I have since taken to adjusting it myself but, more than any bass I've owned, the 4003 neck seems to move with the passage of time/sting tension forcing a readjustment on an all-too-regular basis.
I also find it hard to find the right balance between neck tweaks and bridge height tweaks. In fact, I sometimes even think of replacing the bridge with a Badass, but don't think I could ever really bring myself to do that.
BTW, I think its great that this thread never seems to die: it just goes chugging along in its own great way in and out of fashion --just like rickenbacker basses.
Saint,
That "problem" with 4003 necks is very curious. I know many 4003 owners who experienced neck twisting, but none of the 4001V63 or 4001CS players I talked with ever had a problem. It's the same truss rod system, though. Very strange. Maybe does the fingerboard have "influence" on the reliability of the neck ? Really weird...
If you ever need an excellent +++ luthier who knows all Ricks perfectly, I know one in Washington state.
All the best,
That "problem" with 4003 necks is very curious. I know many 4003 owners who experienced neck twisting, but none of the 4001V63 or 4001CS players I talked with ever had a problem. It's the same truss rod system, though. Very strange. Maybe does the fingerboard have "influence" on the reliability of the neck ? Really weird...
If you ever need an excellent +++ luthier who knows all Ricks perfectly, I know one in Washington state.
All the best,
I'm running it through an Eden WT400 and an Eden 210T cab. That rig has plenty of punch, it's the outside EQ that needs work. I'll fix that next gig.
A new set of strings would probably help, though. The ones that came on it are losing their zing.
A new set of strings would probably help, though. The ones that came on it are losing their zing.
Rickenbacker's need a slight touch of drive if you want to get the best out of that f***** Rick tone... Very personal opinion : that's specifically why they sound FAAAAAAR better with all-tube amps.
All the best,
Is the fingerboard different on the other Ric's?
I just find that whole double truss rod system more painful than helpful. It could be that my bass never recovered from its first "professional" screwup, I mean, setup.
Thanks for the luthier offer. Unfortunately, I'm in the washington across the country from you, so it wouldn't be too convenient...
The double truss rod concept, by itself, is not bad. It has been successfully used by Rickenbacker since the late 50's. But the system has been changed circa 1984, and now there are problems.
Yes, fingerboards seem to be different on other RIC basses. So do the triangle inlays slightly "weaken" the fingerboards when used with this "reinforced" double truss rod system ? I dunno.
The other reasons may be either a lack of reliability in quality control, or may be simply much more care on 4001CS and 4001V63 than on "mainstream" 4003...
I really don't know... Just hypothesis...
All the best,
Yes, fingerboards seem to be different on other RIC basses. So do the triangle inlays slightly "weaken" the fingerboards when used with this "reinforced" double truss rod system ? I dunno.
The other reasons may be either a lack of reliability in quality control, or may be simply much more care on 4001CS and 4001V63 than on "mainstream" 4003...
I really don't know... Just hypothesis...
All the best,
Hi, all. Pretty sure this is my first post, but it's a great one to be starting with 
I've always loved Ricks. My local music store got a 2002 MY 4003 in Burgundy in a few weeks back and I've been drooling over it ever since. The store had a massive sale to celebrate their 30th anniversary and my wife told me to go ahead and get it -- woohoo!
I love it. It plays like a dream, and that sound... nothing else like it.
I found out that someone came to buy that bass 5 minutes after I left with it.
I've always loved Ricks. My local music store got a 2002 MY 4003 in Burgundy in a few weeks back and I've been drooling over it ever since. The store had a massive sale to celebrate their 30th anniversary and my wife told me to go ahead and get it -- woohoo!
I love it. It plays like a dream, and that sound... nothing else like it.
I found out that someone came to buy that bass 5 minutes after I left with it.
Originally posted by Manitou
Hi, all. Pretty sure this is my first post, but it's a great one to be starting with
I've always loved Ricks. My local music store got a 2002 MY 4003 in Burgundy in a few weeks back and I've been drooling over it ever since. The store had a massive sale to celebrate their 30th anniversary and my wife told me to go ahead and get it -- woohoo!
I love it. It plays like a dream, and that sound... nothing else like it.
I found out that someone came to buy that bass 5 minutes after I left with it.
Welcome! And that Burgandyglo is a GREAT color - can you post a pic?
