• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Sell a Precision to buy a Ric 4003?

#105
Gyver said:
Howdy,

Would you sell a Fender American Vintage '58 Precision Bass to get a Rickenbacker 4003? I have always wanted a Ric and have saved about half of the money necessary to get one. I currently own three basses, the '58 P Bass, a Tony Franklin fretless P Bass and a Fender 50th Anniversary Jazz Bass, so if I sold the '58 I figure I would still have the Tony Franklin P Bass to go with the Ric and Jazz. The only problem is that the '58 is a fantastic bass and I would rather not sell it (or any of the others for that matter), but of the three the '58 would be the one to go.

I will be in Boulder, CO next week and would have the opportunity to test drive a bunch of Rics at Wildwood Guitars. Anyway just curious what others might think about this idea.

Gyver
Click to expand...

That is a real pretty Jazz.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Gyver
#106
Guiseppe said:
For years and years I have wanted a Ric 4001 or 4003, but after talking to a couple reputable techs I think I'm over it. In particular, the double truss rod/thin thin neck pretty much guarantee tons of adjustment trying to keep a straight neck.
Click to expand...

That is not true at all for either one, once you set those necks they are done unless you drastically change the tension of the strings you use and they haven't made those thin thin necks since the early 70's.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mantis Tobaggan, eigentone and superdick2112
#107
Guiseppe said:
Thin necks bend more than thick necks. Most players DON'T understand how to correctly adjust 1 truss rod, let alone 2. I'm not a rocket scientist, just a bass player. I love that old tone, but for me, the extra PITA factor to maintain a Ric isn't worth it.
Click to expand...

Have you ever played one? Some of the newer Ric necks are actually very thick to the point of many people complaining about them some years ago.
 
  • Like
Reactions: byoung93888, eigentone and superdick2112
#108
bobyoung53 said:
Have you ever played one? Some of the newer Ric necks are actually very thick to the point of many people complaining about them some years ago.
Click to expand...

+1 My 2015 4003 feels wide like a P with a medium D shape.

Glancing at the measurements Invalid Link Removed, the thicknesses for 4003s range from 0.87"-0.89" and 0.93"-0.94" at the 1st and 12th (respectively). That's chunkier than many Jazz Basses and even some P Basses.

Ric basses have evolved some over the decades. I think the broomstick 4001 neck argument needs to be put down. It does not apply to the basses we are talking about -- modern 4003s.

Regarding the dual truss rod system, I'd question a tech's competence if the mechanics of 2 truss rods were a stumbling point. I've been setting up my own guitars and basses for years. The 4003's truss rods were not hard to adjust correctly (provided the tool's small enough). The benefit of the system is that my Ric ends up getting the lowest action and the fastest feel -- out of all of my basses. It's also much faster to adjust a 4003 than anything which requires removing the pickguard and/or neck.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Bigbri and bobyoung53
#109
I would trade in a second but that's just me. I love everything about Rics and am addicted to them. I love the way the look, sound and feel. I love a P as well however it just doesnt trip my trigger like a Ric does. That being said in the end it doesn't really matter what any of us think. Do what feels right to you and what will make you happy.
 
#111
johnson79 said:
I think Rickenbacker builds basses one color at a time. So this month it might be jetglo, the next is maple and so on. That's why some seem to be hard to find.

But enjoy Colorado, it's a beautiful place. I lived in Denver for a few years and my brother was in the Boulder area. Lots of great drives to be had trough the mountains, and great beer to drink.
Click to expand...
My parents lived in Denver and Englewood beautiful place to live. Got to love the "horse hardware stores."
 
  • Like
Reactions: johnson79
#113
Killed_by_Death said:
no, but I would to buy a 4004:

24x.jpg
Click to expand...
He always says that! :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Gyver and eigentone
#114
Gyver said:
Howdy,

Would you sell a Fender American Vintage '58 Precision Bass to get a Rickenbacker 4003? I have always wanted a Ric and have saved about half of the money necessary to get one. I currently own three basses, the '58 P Bass, a Tony Franklin fretless P Bass and a Fender 50th Anniversary Jazz Bass, so if I sold the '58 I figure I would still have the Tony Franklin P Bass to go with the Ric and Jazz. The only problem is that the '58 is a fantastic bass and I would rather not sell it (or any of the others for that matter), but of the three the '58 would be the one to go.

I will be in Boulder, CO next week and would have the opportunity to test drive a bunch of Rics at Wildwood Guitars. Anyway just curious what others might think about this idea.

Gyver
Click to expand...
I think you will be in one of the best spots to test drive a Ric. I've heard nothing but great stuff about Wildwood. :) I check their page often. I've been without a Ric for a few years and often get the fever! ;)
Good luck!
Brent
 
  • Like
Reactions: byoung93888
#115
eigentone said:
+1 My 2015 4003 feels wide like a P with a medium D shape.

Glancing at the measurements Invalid Link Removed, the thicknesses for 4003s range from 0.87"-0.89" and 0.93"-0.94" at the 1st and 12th (respectively). That's chunkier than many Jazz Basses and even some P Basses.

Ric basses have evolved some over the decades. I think the broomstick 4001 neck argument needs to be put down. It does not apply to the basses we are talking about -- modern 4003s.

Regarding the dual truss rod system, I'd question a tech's competence if the mechanics of 2 truss rods were a stumbling point. I've been setting up my own guitars and basses for years. The 4003's truss rods were not hard to adjust correctly (provided the tool's small enough). The benefit of the system is that my Ric ends up getting the lowest action and the fastest feel -- out of all of my basses. It's also much faster to adjust a 4003 than anything which requires removing the pickguard and/or neck.
Click to expand...
Fender Jazz basses have a big truss problem. The early CBS basses with the block inlays have the truss anchor right under the first block and usually ends up popping it out. I didn't know this, and thats why they went to the bullet truss at the headstock. My 74 pbass is light as a feather at 8.5 lbs and the body is thinner. they seem to have moved the rod higher inithe neck as I can adjust my 74 neck without removing it or scratching the body.
 
  • Like
Reactions: eigentone
#117
Bigbri said:
Fender Jazz basses have a big truss problem. The early CBS basses with the block inlays have the truss anchor right under the first block and usually ends up popping it out. I didn't know this, and thats why they went to the bullet truss at the headstock. My 74 pbass is light as a feather at 8.5 lbs and the body is thinner. they seem to have moved the rod higher inithe neck as I can adjust my 74 neck without removing it or scratching the body.
Click to expand...

Consider yourself lucky in that regard. Not all Fender basses have the ability to do that.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bigbri
#118
eigentone said:
Consider yourself lucky in that regard. Not all Fender basses have the ability to do that.
Click to expand...
I know but all of the early 70's p-basses with the A width nut are in high demand especially for gigging. I'll put a pic up. Everybody should have atleast one 72-74 p-bass. My 81 P-bass was just about the heaviest one I've ever played.
 
  • Like
Reactions: eigentone

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back