Rickenbacker 4003 – An Honest Review
A no holds barred review of the iconic Rickenbacker 4003 in Midnight Blue
For tones skip to 11:45
Specs:
Number of Strings: 4
Body Material: Maple
Finish: Gloss
Neck Material: Maple, Neck-thru
Radius: 10″
Fingerboard Material: Rosewood, bound Fingerboard
Inlay: Triangle inlays
Number of Frets: 20
Scale Length: 33.25″
Nut Width: 1.6875″
Bridge/Tailpiece: RIC bridge and tailpiece
Tuners: Schaller Deluxe
Neck Pickup: Single-coil
Bridge Pickup: Single-coil
Controls: 2 x volume, 2 x tone (push/pull treble tone control)
3-way toggle pickup switch, 2 x 1/4″ outputs (standard, stereo)
Case Included: Hardshell case
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Originally posted by UCi_GPUBVArb8o6OriKug5mQ at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KslXLYJUUg
As mentioned by another, the Vintage switch only affects the bridge pup. When engaged it cuts out most of the lower frequencies, it's a bass cut effect not a treble boost.
There is a Reverse Wind Reverse Polarity mod (RWRP) that can be done to the bridge pup with just a bit of research and skill. This mod will cancel out external noise when both pickups are engaged and fully up. It does not change the tone of the pups whatsoever. This is how Fender Jazz basses are wired.
I've done this to two 4003 basses with excellent results. Highly recommended.
I had a 4001 in 1983 because Geddy Lee had one even though he switched to a Jazz bass by that time. I loved it even though it didn't have high output or much bottom end. The neck would constantly bow as well. I eventually switched to a G&L.
And the original 4003's didn't have the push/pull I think they started that late 90' or early 2000's I forget . My 87 doesn't have it
Right angle screw driver
Probably the A it is smaller than most other A gages
What does a fender p or j cost ? Not talking mim ones ? How much does a MM , spector cost?
I paid $1,700 for my 4001 in 1979. Worth every nickel! Handmade in America. Flatwounds on that lacquored fretboard…smooth as silk action.
I have to be honest, I never got on with the Ric bass, I just couldn't get the feel for it. But then, not every bass is for everyone – I believe some people don't get along with Fender basses!
Better silence than B S and that is B S
Sounds just like my officially the cheapest no name bass, p bass copy… $99 on amazon, no wait… seriously
John Enteistle liked the fret buzz, but didn't play the rick
Honesty… is much appreciated. No bandwagon's adulation..Good
$2000 for a bass/guitar is nothing, NOTHING, compared to drums. I paid $3200 for my Ludwig classic maple down beat and that was just the shells! Add another 2-3 g's on the hardware and cymbals and your pocket literally crying LOL…..
I love my Rickenbacker (a black one like yours), but I'm way too clueless to remember which output jack to plug the cord into.
Fantastic bass.
OK it's not funny not that you can't at least buzz is from this space he would have to set his Fender jazz based up like that to buzz like that on purpose I've been doing it with my base a lot I can't I don't want to see my neck f**** boat outwards I just got a Crazy rare generic Gibson Fender style p bass right now . . Since my 4 string FENDER PJ Was stolen and my Ibanez BTB5 string and my beloved fender stratocaster. Plus 3 tube amps. I'm very poor in a shite area so I cant replace my real gear. . I'm stuck with this generic precision base that actually is really decent it's all black with just a little bit of Chrome. Man but I've always wanted a Generic rickenbacher but they just don't Make Those do they. My first base was an active Epiphone embassy that was sued for having a body shaped like a Rick Actually sued but they didn't really look like that. They didn't have the parts to really look like it I can't believe that they got sued for that but yet it was dual act of 1980 something red gold parts and a little bit of black highlights I wish aheadn't like falling apart I'd love that bass but I was young and stupid and I sold anything that was falling apart too much to replace with something that was a little Newer. I really like the idea that they lack That thing. I want to go buy a new stratacaster a couple years ago I really wanted mornington I could only afford a Mexican there were $500 and they were good for a couple Years I knew people that own and played some and they were really good back in a day. I want there I noticed that just changed the logo from silver or gold for the Deluxe to all black. And they use no more lack running neck you could feel the wood it was expanding contracting which was causing the front wires to start to pop off the front wires were not shaved down or filed at all so they caught your fingers and hands when you try to slide up and down the Frets. With no lacquer I was unable to slide up and down my hand in much anyways but I'd never felt Razor wire I mean fret wire like that. I also never felt pretty wire that public it was galvanized and not smooth. Even the bodies felt cheap and c*** I didn't buy a Try to care extra that day I'll wait a went out and bought a used white one and put a red tortoise shell Pic guard on it had a nice lacquer Maple neck it was perfect I had it for a little while to put care of it and somebody stole all my stuff been too sick and there isn't much work in my area barely I'd like to get by so I can't replace my stuff but when you live near Chicago people are a***** and they have no heart.
The Jackson that has the same pickguard … whatever it's called (v-series?) is a better guitar. I've owned two vintage ricks both early 80's. The Jackson as goofy as it is, is far better. I got my intonation spot on, and it's fun just playing sort of nothing up and down the frets and I feel like I'm playing the low keys on a perfectly tuned piano.
Not sure if RIckenbacker would even still be around today if it wasn't for the beatles. Before you argue "what about Lemmy, Geddy, Chris Squire, etc etc. You also have to understand that in the early 60's they were still a very niche company. They Beatles playing rick guitars (cause that's one of the few American guitars they could get in England at the time) it might have been over for that company. For whatever reason enough bass players post-beatles stuck wtih that company, and now Rick basses are still a thing. The guitars seems to still live in "beatle land", but the bass sort of made it's way out. I guess my point is: Who gives a shit about rick basses… I've owned two of them and wouldn't mind getting one again if they weren't so damn expensive. But I feel like the only people buying these are because they love a band who's bass player played one.
I took the pick up plate off,and changed my bridge to a hip shot..sounds smooth now .I diig the sound now????????
I have a Ric 4003 also. When I got it, it looked incredible… but had a few setup issues. Actually 3 of my 4 Rics needed adjustments before I was happy. I always chose mine from shops that had them ready to ship… The instruments are quite unique. You'll either really love it, or you'll want to stay away. When one compares Ric's Pricing to USA Fender and Gibson…. it's competitive.
California….killing small businesses with stupid rules. Lacquer quotas?
Stabinthebacker ????
Rickenbacker doesn't use lacquer. They use a UV cured polyurethane. I have 2 – 4003's that I got a major deal on when I bought them used. I have the JetGlo which is the black. I also have the 4003W which is the maple neck and the walnut body. It has no polyurethane on the body, it just has oil rubbed into the wood. The black one has the modern bridge with the saddles, and a single truss rod. The 4003W has the traditional Rickenbacker bridge and a dual truss rod. Call me crazy, but I actually like the old bridge and dual truss rod better, but some really hate them. It's easier to adjust the action, and can get it a lot lower on the 4003W. I did have a Rickenbacker 4001 when I first started playing, because I am a major Rush fan, but I didn't;t know what I was doing because I was young and traded it. I don't have any problems with the Rickenbacker's. Love the Midnight Blue on yours!
Give me some Motorhead ????
The E string gauge factory supplied is 105. I made the mistake of getting a wrong sized set, but rather than hacking away at the nut on my cherished, beloved and expensive 4003, I looked into it and bought the right gauge of strings! The other set will be fine for my old bass. Ricky set from factory is 45-55-75-105.