Should I......?

[Tonegasm]

In a second.

 

[Kipaste]

Well, I hate to be the partypooper and be all rational about this but.. have you played something of equal value that you liked better?

The same answer will apply to your question.

 

[JoshuaTSP]

I've never seen a bass locally that has the value of the thumb.

 

[rekesbass]

in the last 18 years or so that was quite a few.
It's mostly in the details,finish and the workability of the trussrod -i have seen too many broken ones to wanna risk it.
However if I was gonna go for a cool vibe bass and money was o object ,a Ric might end up on my list of things to get.

There is a shortscale one pickup rick I have seen only once.
That thing I'd get in a heartbeat.
I don't even know what it was about it.

the(older 4001) truss rod issues is usually due to the owners or luthiers not knowing how to properly deal with them and trying to use the truss rod to move the neck(like a Fender) and results in broken rods or popped fingerboards:scowl:.The newer ones(4003)do not suffer from the same problems and work like any other TR.In fact,my Ric's are the only basses(4001 and 4003) that are "set and forget" and stay that way for decades(wish I could say the same about my Fenders).As far as fit and finish,I've been playin Ric's since the '80's(models from the 70's up to the present) and every one has been nothing but great.(not sayin they all are...ahem...mid-night blue colorbleed).My only real complaint would have to be that the finish is a little soft and buckle rashes pretty easy..The bridge\tailpiece is another issue,however IME,that has also been a non-issue...I'm not tryin to convert anyone here,just sharing my own experience.I know they are a quirky instrument and they are not for everyone but,I could say the same thing about any other brand out there...No one is perfect,everyone puts out a lemon now and again..

 

[fingerbun]

However if I was gonna go for a cool vibe bass and money was o object ,a Ric might end up on my list

Ricks are an amazing sound, whether that sound is for you or not. It's not just a cool vibe thing, though the vibe is good too. My Rick gets comments for both.

They are a quirky feeling instrument. The way the bridge pickup is mounted takes a little getting used to and the bridge assembly is kind of old fashioned.

If I could only have one bass it would be my Rick.

 

[kcole4001]

the(older 4001) truss rod issues is usually due to the owners or luthiers not knowing how to properly deal with them and trying to use the truss rod to move the neck(like a Fender) and results in broken rods or popped fingerboards:scowl:.The newer ones(4003)do not suffer from the same problems and work like any other TR.In fact,my Ric's are the only basses(4001 and 4003) that are "set and forget" and stay that way for decades(wish I could say the same about my Fenders).As far as fit and finish,I've been playin Ric's since the '80's(models from the 70's up to the present) and every one has been nothing but great.(not sayin they all are...ahem...mid-night blue colorbleed).My only real complaint would have to be that the finish is a little soft and buckle rashes pretty easy..The bridge\tailpiece is another issue,however IME,that has also been a non-issue...I'm not tryin to convert anyone here,just sharing my own experience.I know they are a quirky instrument and they are not for everyone but,I could say the same thing about any other brand out there...No one is perfect,everyone puts out a lemon now and again..

+1
I've been playing Ricks since 1986 and my 2010 4003 is by far my favorite.
If you can live with the quirks, then a new 4003/4004 is a very good trade.
The bridge/tail is the weakest design piece, but it's functional once you find a way to adjust it without losing your sanity, and once it's adjusted, you don't need to do it again until you change part of the equation.