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What's wrong with the Rickenbacker 4003?
- Thread starter trothwell
- Start date
Another TB'er mentioned this: The dual truss rods. At 18, I got a brand new 1987 4003, I loved the neck and sound, my first "real bass" I took it to a guitar tech to lower the action the bass came with. I did not know anything about adjusting a bass. When I got the bass back it was not better, and had a bowed neck. The "tech" mentioned something about "two truss rods and he did the best he could do". That bass has been unplayable for 35 years. I did play it as is for about a year, but it was difficult. I sill have it. I have taken it to two techs who have told me it would have to placed in vice or press with heat to straighten the neck, it would then need a re-fret. As you know the fingerboards are coated, or lacquered. Even if they managed to straighten it, it would only be temporary, long enough to possibly pawn it off on some poor unsuspecting buyer... but for how long? My 87 4003 would be worth twice what I payed for it were it playable . It would be PRICELESS to me , if it were playable. As you know, you just change out a neck on a Fender. FWIW, I hope YRMV.. greatly. Here are some pics.[This invalid link has been removed]
The newer necks still feel pretty chunky, and undesirable to me as a result.
I've got an '84 4003 with the best neck I've ever played. Not quite Jazz-thin, but supremely comfortable. Not a single Rick I've played since, from any time period, has had a neck even remotely the same shape
Beautiful, I have the same one in RH, that look was what drew me in . Unfortunately mine is unplayable.. neck has been warped for 35 years [This invalid link has been removed]
devnulljp
Supporting Member
The truss rod thing was my main beef. Had a 4003, which I really liked, but I found setup to be such a fiddly PitA I sold it. I heard they've done away with it, and wouldn't be averse to trying a new one. Maybe some day. I sure like the sound, and always loved the way they look.
The CEO thing is weird too. I've seen him be a total dick to people. I actually had a good interaction with him years ago when customs wanted to impound my Ric because they thought the fret markers were abalone. He faxed them a note saying they were idiots and of course it's not bloody abalone, and they let me have my bass back. YMMV I suppose.
That's why I wish they were bolt on. New neck would be so much easier. Fixing a warped neck through is major hassle and costs more than just buying another 4003. I like the white on black. Always have.
I would also like to try a new one. I have a 2005 Midnight Blue, and I desperately want an Azureglo 4001 (more for the color than needing it to be a 4001) If they would bring back Azureglo I'd buy a new one instantly, but as it stands, I just don't like black, pale, red, or maple fretboards.
As for CEO issues, he's very proud of the brand, the reputation, and is probably bitter after years of people complaining about everything, but also never buying the models that fix everything people complain about. He definitely has instances of being a dick, or blowing off concerns people have, but I do get the impression he sticks up for the brand, it's integrity and people who love their instruments.
Quit showing off
. You have any idea how many of them seem to be out there yet they are so rare to find on sale for decent condition and semi reasonable price. Seems like every post on the Rickenbacker owners club or Facebook group is a damn azureglo. *Rant over*That's a beautiful bass, hold onto it
I've seen some pretty major surgery done on a rick neck, removed truss rods, removed fingerboard, re-thread the rods and replace the wimpy aluminum block they shred up when you tighten them. If I were any closer I'd love to try to fix that for you. Were you ever quoted on what it would cost? It seems a damn shame to have such an instrument with so much personal meaning to you and not be able to play it.
As for the prices, I'd say that they're definitely in the boutique range, being over 2k. Currently a new 4003 will set you back about $2400.
To be fair though, alot of American makers are getting up to the point where they are in the same price range as some boutique luthiers. Heck a Fender APII Pbass is $1800, and it's very easy to pay more than Ric Prices for the "Better" newFender production basses.
A significant difference between the two brands might be though that if you get a crappy fender, you can just take it back to the store and get another one immediately or likely in a reasonable amount of time. Not so with a Ric, and probably with more hassle.
Alternatively, you can get a darn fine Lowdown "Hybrid" Bass, crafted right here in Chicago with your choice of woods, neck profile, pickups, etc, for less than the cost of a Ric. But it won't be a Ric...
All that said, if you like a Ric, there's no reason not to get one, especially if you go in eyes wide open about what to expect. I outgrew my obsession for Ric's before I purchased one, but there's no disputing they are still unique and valuable American instruments, with a mystique, following, and resale value undiluted by clones, imported entry models, or shareholder demands.
I have played a few in my time. I love the look. I love the sound. But the necks on the ones I played all felt really thick. I have heard that the older ones aren't like that, but I have never played an old one. I would have one, but just found the neck uncomfortable to play due to the profile of the neck. Now, keep in mind that I play mostly Fender Jazz basses. As for the Ric, like I said, I would have one if I thought I would actually play it. I just can't get past how thick the necks are on them.
It wasn't my intention to present such a trite question. In terms of personal preference, I couldn't care any less.
It wasn't until I acquired one myself, and started researching specific questions on forums, that I noticed so many negative comments against them. I was genuinely interested in learning if there was some well-known problem with them that I wasn't aware of, beyond simply "I don't like it".
It sounds like the answer is, "maybe, kinda, sorta, but actually most of the tangible problems have been resolved in the past few years". I think I was unintentionally wise to wait and get a 2022 model, although I may well have been happy with an earlier one as well.
Thanks all! Very enlightening discussion.
What kind of question is this? A Fender sounds as a Fender; a Rickenbacker as a Rickenbacker.
If you like how the Rick sounds just play it!
Most of what I knew about them prior to buying one was (a) I like how they sound in recordings, and (b) I like how they sound when I've played one in person. It didn't even occur to me to ask other people what they thought of them.
After getting one, researching forums for answers to some specific questions about instrument setup, I noticed a curiously large number of people complaining about them. I was asking this question trying to learn if there was anything beyond "I don't prefer them" that I should be concerned about, such as some well-known problems perhaps I had never heard of.
Thanks!
I have a 1998 4003 that was fitted with the vintage switch a couple of years ago. I love that bass, the playabilty, sound, looks, everything. It is a Fireglo and has a beautiful birdseye maple neck.
I thought I get a 4003S to have a second ricky. I did get a 2020 model, but that was nowhere near the 1998 bass I already have. It sounded dull, no sustain to speak of. I thought it just needed to be played in but it never really felt good to play. How ever I tried to set it up it just didn't boogie. I ended up trading that bass to a Fano JM4.
I thought I get a 4003S to have a second ricky. I did get a 2020 model, but that was nowhere near the 1998 bass I already have. It sounded dull, no sustain to speak of. I thought it just needed to be played in but it never really felt good to play. How ever I tried to set it up it just didn't boogie. I ended up trading that bass to a Fano JM4.
The Rickenbacker is a unique instrument, with a unique sound and ergonomics. It seems likely to be either loved or hated! It seems to me also that is not nearly as usable as say a P bass. And of course, all of its afore mentioned quirks, and those of the company.
If I recall correctly, going way back, the original horseshoe bridge pickup was nearly useless, having very low output. I believe Squire didn't use his. So some would hate that. Plus, on that pickup, you couldn't remove that thing. So there's two. Then the odd ergonomics. So it's somewhat of a "niche" bass, you love them or hate them.
Decades ago, as a teen I heard Siberian Khatru on the radio, and was stunned by (of course) Yes, but by the sound of that Rickenbacker bass (By the way, at the time roundwounds on your Rick would void the warranty. When Chris Squire went to the factory, they were VERY unhappy with him, even though his playing one sold them a lot of basses. "Look at all these basses we've got to refret!)
Years later I got one. Although I really liked it, going through my "I want to play like Chris" phase, it didn't have enough booty for me. This was loooong before I knew about the so called choke circuit. It also struck me eventually as the wrong tool for um... Urban Contemporary (or traditional for that matter) gospel. Most of that bass is clean with wider frequency response. Not much place for distorted bass on a Fred Hammond tune!
I would agree that nothing sounds better distorted than a Rick. To slightly derail this thread, I think it's partly due to the "choke" circuit that cuts some of the lows. Seems to me those low fundamentals don't distort prettily. IMO. Which would be interesting to explore!
I was excited when they recently released a 5 string with a reasonable string spacing. I was thoroughly disappointed with its tone. So, though I like them, no Rick for me.
Well that's enough meandering.
If I recall correctly, going way back, the original horseshoe bridge pickup was nearly useless, having very low output. I believe Squire didn't use his. So some would hate that. Plus, on that pickup, you couldn't remove that thing. So there's two. Then the odd ergonomics. So it's somewhat of a "niche" bass, you love them or hate them.
Decades ago, as a teen I heard Siberian Khatru on the radio, and was stunned by (of course) Yes, but by the sound of that Rickenbacker bass (By the way, at the time roundwounds on your Rick would void the warranty. When Chris Squire went to the factory, they were VERY unhappy with him, even though his playing one sold them a lot of basses. "Look at all these basses we've got to refret!)
Years later I got one. Although I really liked it, going through my "I want to play like Chris" phase, it didn't have enough booty for me. This was loooong before I knew about the so called choke circuit. It also struck me eventually as the wrong tool for um... Urban Contemporary (or traditional for that matter) gospel. Most of that bass is clean with wider frequency response. Not much place for distorted bass on a Fred Hammond tune!
I would agree that nothing sounds better distorted than a Rick. To slightly derail this thread, I think it's partly due to the "choke" circuit that cuts some of the lows. Seems to me those low fundamentals don't distort prettily. IMO. Which would be interesting to explore!
I was excited when they recently released a 5 string with a reasonable string spacing. I was thoroughly disappointed with its tone. So, though I like them, no Rick for me.
Well that's enough meandering.
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I really like my '21 4003 Jetglo (Wildwood Guitars, 1/16/22) but Ric's QC let a faulty neck finish pass through (mine is an unfinished fretboard and roughly halfway down the topcoat started to chip off at the fingerboard edge). So back to Santa Ana it went, got it back two weeks later and it's flawless. The only issue (a serious one) is the strap button on the upper horn, it loosens up frequently; I tried the thread tape solution but it didn't work, it would keep loosening up...removed the thread tape and it's better but still un-solid. Haven't tried the 'drop of pure water' method that Mr Hall 'recommended', but I'm looking into the possibility of a drop of Loctite instead. So I am asking here, what is the best method to secure that straplok button?
