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rickenbacker 4001 vs 4003


davidM

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So for the longest time I've been wanting a 4003, but as new price on them is insane, and so is the waiting list i began ebaying 4001's a great deal.

 

Question is, what is the tonal differences between them? I've watched youtube vids, but they are rather unreliable... so what are your thoughts on the matter?

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So for the longest time I've been wanting a 4003, but as new price on them is insane, and so is the waiting list i began ebaying 4001's a great deal.


Question is, what is the tonal differences between them? I've watched youtube vids, but they are rather unreliable... so what are your thoughts on the matter?

 

 

I have a 2007 4003. I am working on a 1976 4001. For all practical purposes, they sound identical. A couple of weeks ago I had a 1971 4001 with the hi gain toasters in it here and it sounded entirely different. It really depends on what you're looking for and what you consider "the Ric tone."

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I have a 2007 4003. I am working on a 1976 4001. For all practical purposes, they sound identical. A couple of weeks ago I had a 1971 4001 with the hi gain toasters in it here and it sounded entirely different. It really depends on what you're looking for and what you consider "the Ric tone."

 

 

that's just the thing I've heard so many tones, but i'm learning more and more that i am really digging older, almost dirty basses, like the grabber and the tbird. so my GAS impulses are pointing me to a ric, or a blackbird. only thing is you can't really get your paws on either to try them out.

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that's just the thing I've heard so many tones, but i'm learning more and more that i am really digging older, almost dirty basses, like the grabber and the tbird. so my GAS impulses are pointing me to a ric, or a blackbird. only thing is you can't really get your paws on either to try them out.

 

 

I'm sorry you don't have good stores around to check things out. There are about 6 Ric basses for sale a block from my house, including a 5 string. There is a Grabber and a Ripper and a few Thunderbirds as well. Maybe you need to audition some basses the next time you're out of town?

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the 4001 models (in my experience) have a more midrangy woody sound. The 4003 have a more scooped jazzy tone to them. Bear in mind, these differences are still within the Ric 'tone.' For what you're saying, I'd think a 4001 would suit your bill best.

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the 4001 models (in my experience) have a more midrangy woody sound. The 4003 have a more scooped jazzy tone to them. Bear in mind, these differences are still within the Ric 'tone.' For what you're saying, I'd think a 4001 would suit your bill best.

 

 

That's kind of what i was thinking too, but wasn't entirely sure. and a jazzy tone aint really my thing.

 

Kindess, don't tease my, my GAS once took me on a 4 hour drive to get an amp mod from another forumite on a guitar amp.... then drove 4 hours back. and chicago isn't that far in my mind! Of course, 6 redbulls, 2 packs of smokes and hundreds of miles might make me reconsider half way there!

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I don't know the wait time for the 4003, but the waiting time for the 4004 is abominable, and you may not like what you get...

 

See this thread at MP's 'Low Down Lowdown'.

 

http://forums.musicplayer.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/1953766/Warning_this_is_a_rant#Post1953766

 

Take a look (on page 6) at the pix submitted a couple of days ago of a 4004 that was ordered years ago and finally arrived a few days ago. Note the routing job for the pickups, note the pickup height, etc.

 

I don't think I'd trust Ric to mow my lawn right now...

 

If you can pick it up and try it out, :cool:

If not, :facepalm:

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I don't know the wait time for the 4003, but the waiting time for the 4004 is abominable, and you may not like what you get...


See this thread at MP's 'Low Down Lowdown'.


http://forums.musicplayer.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/1953766/Warning_this_is_a_rant#Post1953766


Take a look (on page 6) at the pix submitted a couple of days ago of a 4004 that was ordered years ago and finally arrived a few days ago. Note the routing job for the pickups, note the pickup height, etc.


I don't think I'd trust Ric to mow my lawn right now...


If you can pick it up and try it out,
:cool:
If not,
:facepalm:

 

 

yeah that sucks , somebody should be fired for that , does more damage then 1 or 2 basses . I can tell you though mine is perfect , and I was pretty picky especially considering the amount paid and the long wait for it . I have heard about these few basses so I went over mine really really close . It's perfect , frets ,neck , routes ,truss rods and tone . I wouldn't change a thing . Sadly a few bad ones got out though .

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Ouch. That's pretty damning testimony there. Unfortunate to see basses get out of the shop like that. Hope that kind of stuff gets squared up.

 

I've seen Rics with 'dead' E strings like that all thru many years of production dates. Some do, some don't.

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I've seen Rics with 'dead' E strings like that all thru many years of production dates. Some do, some don't.

 

I've seen a lot of those, but it's been minimized now that there are adjustable pole pieces. They could do even better with a half way decent bridge. :mad:

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I don't know the wait time for the 4003, but the waiting time for the 4004 is abominable, and you may not like what you get...


See this thread at MP's 'Low Down Lowdown'.


http://forums.musicplayer.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/1953766/Warning_this_is_a_rant#Post1953766


Take a look (on page 6) at the pix submitted a couple of days ago of a 4004 that was ordered years ago and finally arrived a few days ago. Note the routing job for the pickups, note the pickup height, etc.


I don't think I'd trust Ric to mow my lawn right now...


If you can pick it up and try it out,
:cool:
If not,
:facepalm:

 

:eek: That is pitiful routing work

I can do freehand router work 100 times better than that:facepalm:

 

but me thinks this is Sweet:love:

STARGAZER-4-BASS-2.jpg

this one more better

Schecter_Stargazer_Bass_CG_001.jpg

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