So, I'm thinking of buying Ric 4003 and I need some advice.....

[Beedster]

I've been mulling over this for a couple of weeks. I have a lot of studio stuff to sell as I'm simply not using much of the outboard gear I bought, and a couple of project basses I've been putting together over the last few months will reach fruition and be likewise up for sale soon, which leads me to the title of this thread

I'm playing the fretless Ric in a band at present but fretless is going to make a few of the tracks we'd like to do really problematic. I've got a fretted Precision I could use, but to be honest, I fancy a change and have fallen in love with the sound I'm gettig from the fretless. If I were buying a Precision or a 'ray I'd know what I was doing, but Rics are a total mystery to me, despite having done quite a lot of research recently.

So, any thoughts? Good years/bad years? Any copies that are better than the real thing (e.g., Tokais?). Issues to look out for? You know the sort of thing.

Thanks in anticipation of your responses

Chris

[Clarky]

I think the biggest variance from what I have read and observed first hand is in the neck dimensions - some are like cricket bats and some are like Fender Jazzes. I had a mid-90s model with a very narrow-feeling skinny neck which - you being a P player - probably would have hated (I didn't get on with it either). The 80s one I had, on the other hand, had a very Precision like neck and was lovely to play. IIRC BC'er 4000 is pretty clued up on all of this - and of course the Rick forum will fall over themselves to supply you with minute details! I have no idea about its neck dimensions but there is a lovely fireglo 4001v63 for sale on the forum from BC'er Squire (toaster pickups, dot neck etc)

[gary mac]

Feel like I'm in shock... Chris with a Ric...I'm going to have to make myself a cuppa have a lie down and breath in to a paper bag.

[chris_b]

[quote name='Beedster' post='1265197' date='Jun 11 2011, 06:34 PM']....So, I'm thinking of buying Ric 4003 and I need some advice.....[/quote]
Don't do it!!

[Stag]

[quote name='chris_b' post='1265685' date='Jun 12 2011, 02:14 AM']Don't do it!![/quote]

I strongly disagree, sir!

Beeds - perhaps worth looking at my review of the new 4003's at

[url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=130851"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=130851[/url]

- if you have any measurement / dimensions / string spacing questions id be happy to help.

[simon1964]

I absolutely love mine!

The necks do differ a lot by all accounts. My 2004 is much more of Precision / Stingray feel than Jazz feel, which suits me. The big difference is that the necks don't taper the way that a Fender does so the width at the 12th fret is pretty much the same as at the nut, which can take a bit of getting used to.

But best of all, the bridge pickup solo'd is just an outstanding tone which works with pretty much anything IMO.

[Beedster]

[quote name='Clarky' post='1265219' date='Jun 11 2011, 07:01 PM']I think the biggest variance from what I have read and observed first hand is in the neck dimensions - some are like cricket bats and some are like Fender Jazzes. I had a mid-90s model with a very narrow-feeling skinny neck which - you being a P player - probably would have hated (I didn't get on with it either). The 80s one I had, on the other hand, had a very Precision like neck and was lovely to play. IIRC BC'er 4000 is pretty clued up on all of this - and of course the Rick forum will fall over themselves to supply you with minute details! I have no idea about its neck dimensions but there is a lovely fireglo 4001v63 for sale on the forum from BC'er Squire (toaster pickups, dot neck etc)[/quote]

Thanks mate, I'm aware of the neck issues although not aware of whether - like Fender Ps, - there were distinct trneds with these, or whether with Ric it's more random? The v63 is lovely but both beyond my budget and sold!

[quote name='gary mac' post='1265260' date='Jun 11 2011, 07:28 PM']Feel like I'm in shock... Chris with a Ric...I'm going to have to make myself a cuppa have a lie down and breath in to a paper bag. [/quote]

It hasn't happened yet!

[quote name='chris_b' post='1265685' date='Jun 12 2011, 02:14 AM']Don't do it!![/quote]

Any particular reason Chris?

[quote name='Stag' post='1265806' date='Jun 12 2011, 10:20 AM']I strongly disagree, sir!

Beeds - perhaps worth looking at my review of the new 4003's at

[url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=130851"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=130851[/url]

- if you have any measurement / dimensions / string spacing questions id be happy to help.[/quote]

Thanks mate, yes, I read it and many of your other Ric-related posts the other day. I may be asking you more questions soon!

[quote name='dave.c' post='1265839' date='Jun 12 2011, 11:09 AM']Good review, I've just got a 2011 jetglow 4003, been after a another
Rickenbacker ever since I sold my Chris Squier and I have to say these new ones are great, I've not changed the setup from the factory and it plays brilliantly, pickups are strong and give THE sound (I have in my head anyway) and the neck is one of the best 4001/4003 necks I have tried, actually, probably the best! The whole bass feels really solid, I think maybe they are doing something different with the neck now as it has a 'stiffness' that I have found a bit lacking in some older Rickenbackers.[/quote]

That's encouraging and largely what I feel about my fretless 4003. My concern is that I find another that shares these qualities. I doubt I can risk buying new however, £1800 is too much of a knock if I don't get on with it, whilst a £1000-1200 used instrument will at least likely have a similar resale value. Also with new instruments there seems to be an issue with Ric warranties only applying to instruments bought from accredited Ric Dealers, and I'm not prepared to buy a new bass with problems that I might have to pay for myself, which reading some posts on BC seems to be a possibility (some clarification re this would be useful though). My preferred option is certainly to buy either from a known face on here or from eBay at a decent price, hence the questions about good years, likely issues etc.

A couple of people have also said via PM that I should look at used v63/v64 models for both tone and for low current price and potentially quite good future resale value. Any thoughts?

[chris_b]

[quote name='Beedster' post='1265896' date='Jun 12 2011, 11:54 AM']....Any particular reason Chris?....[/quote]
None at all.

[Beedster]

[quote name='simon1964' post='1265890' date='Jun 12 2011, 11:50 AM']I absolutely love mine!

The necks do differ a lot by all accounts. My 2004 is much more of Precision / Stingray feel than Jazz feel, which suits me. The big difference is that the necks don't taper the way that a Fender does so the width at the 12th fret is pretty much the same as at the nut, which can take a bit of getting used to.

But best of all, the bridge pickup solo'd is just an outstanding tone which works with pretty much anything IMO.[/quote]

Agreed on all counts! To your knowledge, are neck/nut widths a function of year Simon?


[quote name='chris_b' post='1265913' date='Jun 12 2011, 12:05 PM']None at all.[/quote]

Even I can't argue with that mate

[Beedster]

Although both are beyond my budget, can anyone let me know the difference between these two 64's?

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Rickenbacker-4001C64S-Mapleglo-NEW-/220797884107?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item33689456cb#ht_2620wt_933"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Rickenbacker-4001C64...b#ht_2620wt_933[/url]

and

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Rickenbacker-4001C64-Mapleglo-NEW-/190540944731?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item2c5d20155b#ht_2642wt_933"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Rickenbacker-4001C64...b#ht_2642wt_933[/url]

Cheers

[waynepunkdude]

I wish I could get on with Rics, they look so cool.

[simon1964]

[quote name='Beedster' post='1265942' date='Jun 12 2011, 12:24 PM']Agreed on all counts! To your knowledge, are neck/nut widths a function of year Simon?[/quote]

No idea TBH!

I've just read a lot of threads on here and various Ric forums saying that neck profiles vary a lot year from year to year. I've not played enough Rics to really comment on whether that's nut width or profile (or both). But mine certainly feels more comfortable to me than most Jazz necks which I find too narrow.

[jonsmith]

There are trends over the years with the necks & I'm sure this is documented on RickResource (there have been threads where people posted their neck dimensions for various years), so it's worth a search there. Even the shape of the neck has changed at various points (especially heel and volute). It gets more complicated at some points, for instance somewhere around 2005-2007 two different styles of neck were being manufactured at the same time (one line had been updated with a slimmer profile). If neck profiles are a big issue, then I suppose it really goes without saying that there's no substitute to trying before you buy (although I've just said it).

Is it unreasonable/a departure from the norm for a manufacturer to only honour warranties on basses bought from an authorised dealer?

[jonsmith]

[quote name='Beedster' post='1265947' date='Jun 12 2011, 12:26 PM']Although both are beyond my budget, can anyone let me know the difference between these two 64's?

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Rickenbacker-4001C64S-Mapleglo-NEW-/220797884107?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item33689456cb#ht_2620wt_933"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Rickenbacker-4001C64...b#ht_2620wt_933[/url]

and

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Rickenbacker-4001C64-Mapleglo-NEW-/190540944731?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item2c5d20155b#ht_2642wt_933"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Rickenbacker-4001C64...b#ht_2642wt_933[/url]

Cheers[/quote]

The C64S has a sanded body, satin finish, current design tailpiece & a zero fret, so is closer to Paul McCartney's Rick as it is today. The standard C64 has a replica gap tooth tailpiece.

Edited June 12, 2011 by jonsmith

[bumnote]

[quote name='Beedster' post='1265947' date='Jun 12 2011, 12:26 PM']Although both are beyond my budget, can anyone let me know the difference between these two 64's?

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Rickenbacker-4001C64S-Mapleglo-NEW-/220797884107?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item33689456cb#ht_2620wt_933"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Rickenbacker-4001C64...b#ht_2620wt_933[/url]

and

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Rickenbacker-4001C64-Mapleglo-NEW-/190540944731?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item2c5d20155b#ht_2642wt_933"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Rickenbacker-4001C64...b#ht_2642wt_933[/url]

Cheers[/quote]

I enquired about this and they said the cheaper one was an A! new C64.

They said they got a good deal on the maple glow ones as they were a big rickenbacker seller [but not on the fireglow one].

Their prices have been the cheapest in the uk advertised on e bay for this product and one shop I tried wouldnt even get close on matching for a fireglow.

[munkonthehill]

Hey Chris,

I am a new Ric convert.

I was so used to a jazz neck and jag sound that I wanted to shift my Ric without giving it a chance ([url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=130895"]Thread[/url] is here).

BUT,,,,Because I loved the idea of a ric bass, I decided to hold onto it. I am so glad I did.

The feel of the bass just oozes quality and it FEELS LIKE A BASS. Its manly and makes you look cool too.

I was ready to dismiss mine without giving it a chance which was just stupid.


Infact if anyone has read any of my threads they will know I love my Fender Jaguar. I have to say I havent picked up the Jag recently except at a rehearsal to A-B the 2 basses and I cant see the Jag getting used anytime soon as it just doesnt compare in feel or sound to the Ric. This may appear to be a total change of mind from me in past posts but thats just the way it is.

These Rics are amazing and although I have enjoyed my venture of moving from an Epiphone EB-1 to a Ric in about a year with many many basses and amps in my wake. But im very glad where I am now

Lets face it Chris, you know your getting a 4003 so stop faffing about and do it hahaha.

[4000]

[quote name='Stag' post='1265806' date='Jun 12 2011, 10:20 AM']I strongly disagree, sir!

Beeds - perhaps worth looking at my review of the new 4003's at

[url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=130851"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=130851[/url]

- if you have any measurement / dimensions / string spacing questions id be happy to help.[/quote]

Ditto, but your best place for advice would be Rick Resource. I'm better with older basses; I can only generalise about the 4003 model, but happy to help where I can. Do you prefer a more substantial neck or a slimmer / shallower / insert preference one? Hi-gains or toasters? Binding or none? Etc etc.....it's a bit of a minefield, unfortunately.

As Jon says, if you're looking at any Ric then unless you really know you're stuff (and to be honest even then) you should try before you buy. IME the newer 4003 necks are slimmer, more like the very early 70s necks (more kind of shallow and flat than the mid-late 70s necks, although they vary hugely too). Through most of the 2000s (IIRC) they were much chunkier, more like a P Bass neck but with narrower string spacing and therefore width. The pickup output has changed over the years, pots have changed and of course you've now got the vintage tone selector which puts the bridge capacitor in and out.

My favourite pickup combination is 1/2" neck toaster with bridge high gain or horsey (the nearest of the stock basses are the C-Series and V63); the toaster, particularly in that position, gives a more "vintage", hollow tone. In fact I have to say that although all the Rics I owned sounded like Rics I never nailed the tone I really wanted until I got an older bass with a neck toaster. What you may find though is that a 4003 with the 1" neck high gain typically sounds a bit thicker in a band situation. It all depends what you want (and of course how you play, eq, etc.). They vary so much though; a while back I tried a 2010 (?) 4003 and loved it. A few months later I tried another and didn't liek it at all; I a/b'd that one against a C Series and vastly preferred the C. Good luck!

Edited June 12, 2011 by 4000

[Cosmo Valdemar]

[quote name='dave.c' post='1265839' date='Jun 12 2011, 11:09 AM']I have to say these new ones are great, I've not changed the setup from the factory and it plays brilliantly, pickups are strong and give THE sound (I have in my head anyway) and the neck is one of the best 4001/4003 necks I have tried, actually, probably the best! The whole bass feels really solid, I think maybe they are doing something different with the neck now as it has a 'stiffness' that I have found a bit lacking in some older Rickenbackers.[/quote]

My experience exactly.
Chris, you are always more than welcome to try my new 4003 if you are ever in my neck of the woods.

[Beedster]

[quote name='Cosmo Valdemar' post='1266770' date='Jun 12 2011, 10:55 PM']My experience exactly.
Chris, you are always more than welcome to try my new 4003 if you are ever in my neck of the woods.[/quote]

That's really appreciated mate, thanks. Things have progressed a little, I'll keep you posted

[Stag]

[quote name='4000' post='1266168' date='Jun 12 2011, 03:21 PM']Ditto, but your best place for advice would be Rick Resource.[/quote]

oh deffo, absolutely! A mine of useful information.

I can safely know I know a lot about how to spot fakers now, and a lot about the new 4003 cos I bought one... if you are in Norwich you are welcome to give that a blast thru the Ampeg stack in my avatar...