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The Rickenbacker Club Part Five

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#61
electracoyote said:
Damn, that is gorgeous. Looks like amber fireglo, or the prettiest FG I've ever seen. Someone didn't install the Pickguardian pickup route cover correctly. There are some other good choices out there as well, with a thumb rest option.
Click to expand...

Thanks, man. Think it's just regular 'ol fireglo. Except maybe the guy doing the stain and finish was having a good day that day. My first choice was a midnight blue, but when I saw this one I knew I couldn't pass it up. The fade on the dark to light is just too good.

I think I've seen the guardians you're talking about. They look pretty comfy, especially the one with the thumb indent. I'll probably be putting one on my shopping list very soon if I don't like the stock cover over the bridge p-ups. The plexi isn't too bad, but it just seems slightly out of place.

Those blacked out rics look like they'd be carried by one of these guys -> :ninja: I never knew you could get black strings until I visited this site. Are they available in different colors, or just the standard steel or black?

Here are some more pics, since I had a little more time today to play around and try and get some better shots.

6fcdc14a.jpg

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#63
What's the going value (U.S.) for a mint (and I do mean mint) '99 4003 in JetGlo...? Any idea? I bought mine new in '99 and have an opportunity to pick up another for what I think is a reasonable price ($1,200.00 or a little less) based on its condition. I paid just a little less than $900.00 for mine brand new from GC in '99.
 
#64
Scootertrash said:
What's the going value (U.S.) for a mint (and I do mean mint) '99 4003 in JetGlo...? Any idea? I bought mine new in '99 and have an opportunity to pick up another for what I think is a reasonable price ($1,200.00 or a little less) based on its condition. I paid just a little less than $900.00 for mine brand new from GC in '99.
Click to expand...

As has been stated elsewhere on this thread, I agree that $1500.00 tops for a gently used Ric with no issues is fair. I have three and didn't pay a penny more for any of them. So, at $1200.00 for a '99 in mint condition and no issues, that's a really good price.
 
#65
electracoyote said:
So, at $1200.00 for a '99 in mint condition and no issues, that's a really good price.
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Electracoyote, that's what I thought. The owner says he hasn't played it once and I believe it after examining it. I couldn't even find a scuff mark and the all the electrics are great. All the case candy is with it along with the original paperwork from Ric and the dealer where he bought it. I'm pulling the trigger on it. He's a nice guy that's been laid off here in Michigan from GM so I'm not dickering with him and just giving him the $1.2K.
 
#66
Scootertrash said:
Electracoyote, that's what I thought. The owner says he hasn't played it once and I believe it after examining it. I couldn't even find a scuff mark and the all the electrics are great. All the case candy is with it along with the original paperwork from Ric and the dealer where he bought it. I'm pulling the trigger on it. He's a nice guy that's been laid off here in Michigan from GM so I'm not dickering with him and just giving him the $1.2K.
Click to expand...

And it goes with out saying, but we can't get enough pics on this thread. Please post 'em when you got 'em.
 
#67
I just bought my first 4003. When I got it, I started to restring it with Rotosound Jazz flats ( gauges 45-65-85-105) and ralized it was a no go because the nut slots were to thin. Can I get some suggestions as to which strings everyone else uses on their 4003, it would be greatly appreciated.
 
#68
as I recall 4003's come from the factory with .045 to .105 gauge strings on them so perhaps the nut on your bass isn't original or the RS guages for their flats aren't exactly as advertised? I use that gauge on all my Ricks and have never had a problem with the nut slots being too tight. Lately I'm liking the DR Highbeams on my 4003 and Cheyenne. I've also used RotoSound Swing Bass stings a lot over the years, though not so much these days.
 
#69
Imyrhuckleberry said:
I just bought my first 4003. When I got it, I started to restring it with Rotosound Jazz flats ( gauges 45-65-85-105) and ralized it was a no go because the nut slots were to thin. Can I get some suggestions as to which strings everyone else uses on their 4003, it would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...

Although the strings from the factory seem to mysteriously have the D'addario color coding on them and the Ric brand do not? I have a set of the Ric brand on my 4003 now but next go round will be the EXL170 45-65-80-100
I don't think it should be that big of a deal 45-65-85-105 is a standard gauge set, I am sure you will get many responses to this question but if it helps here is the Ric brand gauge they recommend 45/55/75/105
Good luck!
 
#71
Friday was the first day I got to jam with my band with my Ric 4003 after taking it in for a "spa day." Man did it sound good! And I loved playing it. I've only had it a few weeks and I just new it needed a set-up. The original owner had the bridge cranked way, way up and I didn't like the action.

They cleaned the fingerboard up, polished the frets, set the bridge and intonation up, small adjustment to the truss rod on the treble side and put on a set of Ernie Ball Slinky Bass strings, the same ones that I have on all my basses.

I was just loving it on Friday. The tone I had while we played one of my favorites, Stuck in the Middle, was just awesome!
 
#76
I think the Ripper/Grabber was a bit of the original inspiration. The second owner started the design (the original owner having taken a big chunk out for a P Bass pickup and then filling it back up), then I (third owner) "improved" on it a couple of times aesthetically (and functionally, adding a third pickup and pushing the neck pickup back to 1/2'') to get it the way you see it here.
 
#77
Well, I guess if there's a club to join it'd be this one. Been the owned of a 1978 4001 since 1996 (age 15). Got obsessed with owning one due to The Jam and various other bands from the punk era. Paid $800 for it, selling off my 9-month old Washburn and working for my father's business in order to get it. Best decision of my life!

It had been my only bass for these past 15 years and I love it dearly. It was definitely "broken in" when I got it, but I've treated it pretty well during my ownership; very few of the minor nicks/scratches are from my doing. It's not "perfect" by any means, but it sounds and plays great, and well, it's almost all I know at this point! I never thought I'd play a bass I liked more, much less own one. Until...

*Cue Music*

4000s.jpg


...I got my brand new (circa 2010) 4003 tonight! (The one on the right).

This thing is near flawless. Right out of the box, it was setup perfectly, and just begs to be played. It's very familiar (obviously), but is just ever so slightly smoother than my 4001 is. I never really noticed the subtle differences between the models until having them side by side; the horns are a bit more slim, etc. Hopefully my love for it continues into tomorrow when I get to plug it in. :bassist:

And here's a less-blurry shot of the 4001 'in action.'

beatkitchen.jpg
 
#78
Augment said:
Well, I guess if there's a club to join it'd be this one. Been the owned of a 1978 4001 since 1996 (age 15). Got obsessed with owning one due to The Jam and various other bands from the punk era. Paid $800 for it, selling off my 9-month old Washburn and working for my father's business in order to get it. Best decision of my life!

It had been my only bass for these past 15 years and I love it dearly. It was definitely "broken in" when I got it, but I've treated it pretty well during my ownership; very few of the minor nicks/scratches are from my doing. It's not "perfect" by any means, but it sounds and plays great, and well, it's almost all I know at this point! I never thought I'd play a bass I liked more, much less own one. Until...

*Cue Music*

4000s.jpg


...I got my brand new (circa 2010) 4003 tonight! (The one on the right).

This thing is near flawless. Right out of the box, it was setup perfectly, and just begs to be played. It's very familiar (obviously), but is just ever so slightly smoother than my 4001 is. I never really noticed the subtle differences between the models until having them side by side; the horns are a bit more slim, etc. Hopefully my love for it continues into tomorrow when I get to plug it in. :bassist:

And here's a less-blurry shot of the 4001 'in action.'

beatkitchen.jpg
Click to expand...

367
 
#79
I just got a 2010 4003 sent to me for a little work. I have been saying for years the newer Ricks are the best, well they have taken it a step further. Every few years they take the stock Rickenbacker 4003 another step closer to being more like a a late 60s 4001. In the late 90s they made the body wings the 60s shape, Then they brought back the walnut headwings, then the full width inlays. Also the pots are all now 330k ohm. Well the new necks on the 4003 is the first Rickenbacker since my 1968 4001 to have that wonderful slim profile.

The only things missing are Horseshoe and toaster pickups (I prefer the high gains) the tailpiece wtin the gap (who cares) and the checkered binding. If they ever bring back the checkered binding I will HAVE to buy one.

Anyway the newest Ricks are truely the best.

The only flaw is they are 4 string basses. I gotta have a low B!
 
#80
Imyrhuckleberry said:
I just bought my first 4003. When I got it, I started to restring it with Rotosound Jazz flats ( gauges 45-65-85-105) and ralized it was a no go because the nut slots were to thin. Can I get some suggestions as to which strings everyone else uses on their 4003, it would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...

I use extra light GHS Progressives on mine. The Progressives compliment the Ric nicely. They have a nice fundamental, nice top end, good string flexibility, and they last for a long time.

I think the gauges range from 35-95. For me, Ric's play and sound best with light gauge strings.
 
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