What Rickenbacker would you do?

[sloppy_phil]

First Ric problems, could you list those? Read CNC 2008 onwards, new pickups but is this both or just bridge? Are they the ji-gain ones? So many questions…! I just know I jumped at the right opportunity for the right Ric!

Ander.

You should have the latest pickups, and I think they also by then had finally done away with the “swimming pool” rout for the neck pickup, and gone for just the bare minimum. Which, given the added structural integrity from this change, it took them bloody long enough! And you’ll also still have the dual truss rods; they didn’t start doing single rod adjustments until 2020-21

 

[Ander87]

You should have the latest pickups

Thank you! Does this new neck pickup hold the same output as the bridge pickup? Still 60s cycle hum? Just wondering as from reading it seems like weak neck output is the norm, I was already studying getting a Nordenbocker from Nordstrand to match output and remove hum... Would much prefer to keep it stock if that's now "fixed"

and I think they also by then had finally done away with the “swimming pool” rout for the neck pickup, and gone for just the bare minimum. Which, given the added structural integrity from this change, it took them bloody long enough!

Good, should be a bass to keep, I don't want to see any structural issues - read some horrors on some Ric's!!

And you’ll also still have the dual truss rods; they didn’t start doing single rod adjustments until 2020-21

Ah, pity, not sure that I can deal with a double truss rod myself, I do all my setups myself but still... Also in any case I do trust this shop's setups big time, they've had an awful lot of great gear and vintage basses... and I'm not planning to change gauge, tuning or action on this bass so it'll be like-for-like restringing...!

Thank you so much for the post, very explanatory!

 

[sloppy_phil]

Thank you! Does this new neck pickup hold the same output as the bridge pickup? Still 60s cycle hum? Just wondering as from reading it seems like weak neck output is the norm, I was already studying getting a Nordenbocker from Nordstrand to match output and remove hum... Would much prefer to keep it stock if that's now "fixed"



Good, should be a bass to keep, I don't want to see any structural issues - read some horrors on some Ric's!!



Ah, pity, not sure that I can deal with a double truss rod myself, I do all my setups myself but still... Also in any case I do trust this shop's setups big time, they've had an awful lot of great gear and vintage basses... and I'm not planning to change gauge, tuning or action on this bass so it'll be like-for-like restringing...!

Thank you so much for the post, very explanatory!

Neck pickup output is pretty beefy these days! Whether it'll match up exactly with the bridge is tough to say definitively. But you can raise/lower both the pickups themselves, and the individual pole pieces, to try and balance the output as best you can. Nordenbockers are sweet pickups, and will definitely have some big output, but I wouldn't say it's a prerequisite, or even necessary. I just swapped out the (previously replaced) hi-gain in my '84 4003 for a much lower output toaster; the balance between the pickups is now skewed. The replacement which I've swapped out was much higher output (~10k) compared to the new toaster (~7.5k), and balanced with the bridge pickup better. That said, I actually like the imbalance; it means when I'm in the middle position (which is over 95% of the time), the strong signal from the bridge pickup tends to dominate the blended sound, which makes for a (IMHO) more gutsy and ballsy middle position sound.

It's entirely personal preference, though! Some folks can't stand a weaker neck pickup, others tend to enjoy what it offers. There's no right or wrong, only what you like best. So once you get your hands on the bass, use your ears, and just do you

 

[woodyng2]

Ah thanks everyone!

For the record I always play with a wristband so the chamfer/no chamfer is not a problem...!

Also this player got in the ring, mint 4003 Ruby Red, will dig up more on the year

The blue burst is just so lovely, but not 100% sure with those two chips on the face...

This one! (And I’m a confirmed S model fan). The full featured 4003 looks incredible in metallic Ruby red.
Plus, it already has a hipshot bridge,and the bridge pickup hole-filler thingie.(both things you will appreciate immediately …….

 

[Ander87]

Neck pickup output is pretty beefy these days! Whether it'll match up exactly with the bridge is tough to say definitively. But you can raise/lower both the pickups themselves, and the individual pole pieces, to try and balance the output as best you can. Nordenbockers are sweet pickups, and will definitely have some big output, but I wouldn't say it's a prerequisite, or even necessary.

[...]

It's entirely personal preference, though! Some folks can't stand a weaker neck pickup, others tend to enjoy what it offers. There's no right or wrong, only what you like best.

I will indeed give the neck pickup a shot, I am not planning to change an awful lot and for bassy tones I have the P Bass anyway... This bass is meant to be the main squeeze for my punk rock band...! Seems like middle position taking down the volume on the bridge a tad is what could work best, excited to give it a shot!

@woodyng2 you're right! I kind of discarded it initially cause I wasn't after a red bass (somehow I've never had one?!) and I felt like a 4003 oughta be black... But seeing the reel I mentioned earlier really sold me onto it!

And plus, yes, I would purchase a bezel and likely the hipshot bridge on any other option - where I'm at the bezel is almost £50 and the bridge is a whooping £190, so I'd pretty much end up even, at least this way I take with me a rare, discontinued colour!

I should receive it sometime next week, but won't have a chance to see it/pick it up until the 31st as I'm away of the country now... can't wait!

All in all, a freshly adjusted, newly strung 2017 limited edition/discontinued color, full whack 4003 under £2k here feels like a miracle! For reference, a new 4003 Jetglo is £2700...

Will report back for sure.

Ander.

 

[Ander87]

... Can't stop watching this reel, the binding around the neck and all looks so so brand new and well kept!

The Bass Gallery on Instagram: "Rickenbacker 4003 in Ruby Red #rickenbacker #red #ruby #bass #4string #bassguitar #thebassgallery #classic #usa #forsale #music #bassesofinstagram"

 

[woodyng2]

@woodyng2 you're right! I kind of discarded it initially cause I wasn't after a red bass (somehow I've never had one?!) and I felt like a 4003 oughta be black... But seeing the reel I mentioned earlier really sold me onto it!
And plus, yes, I would purchase a bezel and likely the hipshot bridge on any other option - where I'm at the bezel is almost £50 and the bridge is a whooping £190, so I'd pretty much end up even, at least this way I take with me a rare, discontinued colour!
All in all, a freshly adjusted, newly strung 2017 limited edition/discontinued color, full whack 4003 under £2k here feels like a miracle! For reference, a new 4003 Jetglo is £2700...
Will report back for sure. Ander.

Fabulous! I can attest they look even better in person! I didn’t buy this one, but was completely smitten with its look. Fireglos are so inconsistent, these just look beautiful.

 

[Ander87]

Fabulous! I can attest they look even better in person! I didn’t buy this one, but was completely smitten with its look. Fireglos are so inconsistent, these just look beautiful.
View attachment 4913273

Oh! Well it does fit you eh? thank you for the picture, it's actually a very natural candy apple red!

The shop's description read the same 'looks much better in person' and that's not something they say often!

 

[Jeff Scott]

The shop's description read the same 'looks much better in person' and that's not something they say often!

This is very true, as the metallic finish varies in its look depending on the lighting.

 

[Ander87]

Hi gang! thought I'd update since I've been radio silent playing this thing!

It arrived all good and well. The colour is AMAZINg! all in very good shape, a couple blemishes on finish like a small bubbling of the finish near the bridge or by the headstock... nothing that affects playing comfort and nothing you'd notice in a normal gig/rehearsal/playing situation. In really, really really good shape for a 5 year old bass...!

Ah, aren't these basses quirky!? I knew it was risky to buy a Rickenbacker 4003 without trying it first, and I acknowledge they are very weird if you are set on your FSO basses - having said that, I can jump back and forth between my Stingray Special, AO 60's Precision and Ric 4003 - they all are different necks and on the wider side especially compared to a Jazz... The 1.75" nut on the Precision still makes it the slowest bass but that's what I mostly use on my neosoul/motown rig so I'm not needing that much speed and I'm sure with some practise I'll be ready.

This bass is begging to use a pick! yes, it can do fingerstyle to a very competent level, but the trebbly grindy character of the bass really comes to life in a punk rock setup and that's where I'm intending to use it most...

It now feels like Dingwalls are modern Ric's! I can see those grindy trebly pick friendly tones in this Rickenbacker as a more vintage, passive iteration of those that are referenced in Dingwall basses - love it!

Lastly, I do like the neck pickup for it's bottom end but it doesnt have the growl that the bridge has - for my style of music, I will be setting it up with a Nordenbocker also to even out the signal on both pickups (it's punk rock after all, all tone and volumes up!).

Thanks a lot for guiding me in choosing this bass, definitely one of a marmite bass but I am falling in love with its quirks nicely, it's pure charm!

Ander.