Gimme 2200 and I'm your man!
I'll be working all winter break to buy the straight-from-the-factory new Jetglo 4003 I have a downpayment on at Bass NW.
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Gimme 2200 and I'm your man!
I'll be working all winter break to buy the straight-from-the-factory new Jetglo 4003 I have a downpayment on at Bass NW.
My newest addition:
'07 4003 MG w/ walnut headstock wings
And my current Rickenbackers:
330/12 VP Fireglo
4003 Mapleglo
620/6 Turquoise
'07 4003 MG w/ walnut headstock wings
And my current Rickenbackers:
330/12 VP Fireglo
4003 Mapleglo
620/6 Turquoise
Please excuse my ignorance, but if I'm looking for a used Ric from the 80's or later, what should I look for? Are there any particular problems I should be aware of? I know that the best way to judge an instrument is to play it, but are there some things that I may not catch, i.e. things that go wrong that are common to these basses?
Also, if I'm looking to buy something in the lower price range, is the 4001 the best bet? I've played new ones in the store and like the way they feel and sound, but what are the advantages of the other models?
Thanks in advance.
Also, if I'm looking to buy something in the lower price range, is the 4001 the best bet? I've played new ones in the store and like the way they feel and sound, but what are the advantages of the other models?
Thanks in advance.
I bought this from a pawnshop in 1987, so I've now had it for 20 years. It's got the checkered binding around the body.
The original Grover tuning keys started to peel apart on me about a year after I got it, and I ended up replacing them with Schallers in 1991 or so.
And for the record I absolutely detest the bridge design and am very interested in the Hipshot replacement. My bridge is a rusted mess and I fought with the intonation for a long time before I basically got it set up to permanently accept the same gauge of DR strings every time as long as I replace them very carefully. It's still a bit sharp high on the neck but I have played this thing so long I'm pretty good at compensating. There is no other sound like it in the world.
I await my numerical assignment.
The original Grover tuning keys started to peel apart on me about a year after I got it, and I ended up replacing them with Schallers in 1991 or so.
And for the record I absolutely detest the bridge design and am very interested in the Hipshot replacement. My bridge is a rusted mess and I fought with the intonation for a long time before I basically got it set up to permanently accept the same gauge of DR strings every time as long as I replace them very carefully. It's still a bit sharp high on the neck but I have played this thing so long I'm pretty good at compensating. There is no other sound like it in the world.
I await my numerical assignment.
Attachments
If you're looking for something in the lower price range, you're probably not going to find anything. Rickenbacker has a huge backlog of orders to fill, so most used Rics sell for over $1000. Older 4001 models can easily sell for more than a brand new 4003.
Yeah, their bridge really does seem like a holdover design from days gone by. Generally speaking, the people who have switched to the Hipshot have been happy with it. Ric is coming out with a new bridge themselves, but there's no timetable for it nor any pics floating around, but it's said to be even an improvement on the Hipshot.
Rickenpimps! i'm the proud owner of a new Jetglo 4003.
not the best pic, but the grain on the fretboard is AMAZING.
i think i'm in love.
http://[malware url removed].net/vicious-smiley-1815.gif
not the best pic, but the grain on the fretboard is AMAZING.
i think i'm in love.
http://[malware url removed].net/vicious-smiley-1815.gif
- Apr 3, 2003
- 35,516
- 19,952
- Disclosures
- Editor-in-Chief, Bass Gear Magazine
Rickenpimps! i'm the proud owner of a new Jetglo 4003.
not the best pic, but the grain on the fretboard is AMAZING.
i think i'm in love.
http://[malware url removed].net/vicious-smiley-1815.gif
That is, indeed, an incredible board on that Ric! Probably the best I have seen. Grats!!!
Tom.
Alvaro Martín Gómez A.
TalkBass' resident Bongo + cowbell player
thanks, friends! i was very surprised by the fretboard as well... i've never seen another like it.
i'm ecstatic!
btw... what number am i?
i'm ecstatic!
btw... what number am i?
Wow just looking on the ric website check this out [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
never knew you could do that.
never knew you could do that.
- Apr 3, 2003
- 35,516
- 19,952
- Disclosures
- Editor-in-Chief, Bass Gear Magazine
I was intrigued enough by that feature to have it added to my 2002 4003, and I must say, it greatly enhances the flexibility of the instrument, IMHO. Definitely a worthwhile feature/mod, I think.
Tom.
Here's an interesting bit of trivia - the 4005 is (or was) called the "tuna boat" at the Ric factory. I have no idea where that name came from - maybe because it's big.
I used to work making Rickenbackers back in 78/79 at their only factory on Kilson st in Santa Ana, CA.
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