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Which Ric 4003 should I get

#41
Mr Kringle said:
Looking to get my first Rickenbacker soon and I'm stuck between the 4003w walnut stereo and the 4003s matte black mono.

Is there any discernible difference between the stereo and mono versions? Any recommendations?

Thanks!View attachment 4616342View attachment 4616343
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I like the black one , but having had a 4001 stereo and used it with several ROS set ups, if you have the gear to use it, it’s the only way to fly. Playing in ROS take a pretty good sounding bass to a whole ‘nother level.

If you don’t have the gear, pick the best of the two.
 
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#42
I’ve been playing a ‘79 4001 since 1979 - - 43 years. All I can say is that the binding and body contours that bother some players have never bothered me one bit. I love the much thinner neck on my bass compared to the fat necks on the current models. I’ve never used the stereo output, but if you can assemble a Chris Squire rig with multiple amps it can be awesome. Only you can decide which bass will feel right, so check them out yourself and ignore what others think
 
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#46
Mr Kringle said:
Looking to get my first Rickenbacker soon and I'm stuck between the 4003w walnut stereo and the 4003s matte black mono.

Is there any discernible difference between the stereo and mono versions? Any recommendations?

Thanks!View attachment 4616342View attachment 4616343
Click to expand...


If you're basing your decision in any way on those photos, they're both 4003 models, with stereo output.

The 4003S matte black has dot inlays, and no binding.

Personally, I don't want no Rick that doesn't have shark fin inlays, a binding, and stereo output, but that's just me ; it's your bass.

(And Jetglo, or Autumnglo for life).
 
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#49
Mr Kringle said:
So I just put in a order for the 4003w walnut.. now I just wait, I'll see you guys in a NBD thread when it gets here.

Thanks again everyone for sharing experiences with them!!
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Nice! Grats! They're sold out everywhere in EU, and have been for a long time. Considering buying one off ebay or reverb but, I think I'll wait a bit. Need to move some of my collection first. Did it say how long you'd have to wait?
 
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#51
Wood and Wire said:
If you're basing your decision in any way on those photos, they're both 4003 models, with stereo output.

The 4003S matte black has dot inlays, and no binding.

Personally, I don't want no Rick that doesn't have shark fin inlays, a binding, and stereo output, but that's just me ; it's your bass.

(And Jetglo, or Autumnglo for life).
Click to expand...

I think i screen grabbed the wrong one... I was doing several things when I posted haha
 
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#53
Wood and Wire said:
Personally, I don't want no Rick that doesn't have shark fin inlays, a binding, and stereo output,...
Click to expand...
Oops! ;)

4004L-Special-&-4004L-Snowglo-1200_0673.jpg


The last two of a great many Ricks I have owned going back to 1973, with and without binding, FWI, or ROS. I even had a Rick bass with binding on both sides of the body (and it had ROS).
 
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#56
Jeff Scott said:
Get one before the prices go up. I paid $175.00 for mine.
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That ship sailed about 20 years ago.

The last two I saw were £5000, and £11000.

I really don't care that the latter of the two belonged to Manny from The Stone Roses / Primal Scream ; I wouldn't pay that amount if it had belonged to Elvis, and he had given it to Paul McCartney, who had used it as his main bass on every subsequent Beatles record.

I'll never get one, because I would never pay over £3000 for a vintage one (I'd probably be reluctant to spend over £2000, but that's because I accepted that was the most I was prepared to pay back in the late 90's, and I still feel that way, I just haven't adjusted my valuation for inflation :roflmao:).

However, if I ever find one for $175 I'll buy it on the spot :thumbsup:
 
#58
The ROS seems a lot more viable now than it used to be, when you can get a Couple 500 watt Class D amps that will fit in your pocket, and lightweight neodymium cabs. I tried it back in the Day, and it did indeed sound epic, basically like a double tracked bass, but the weight of the extra gear got old really quick. Have a blast with it, nothing like a Ric.
 
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#60

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