Noob Rickenbacker question.....

[Rootdogg]

Probably the next bass on my hit list.

 

Can you guys give me some differences between the 4001 and 4003?

 

Thank you very much.

[lug]

Trussrod system on the 4003 is more robust.

[Optimus Prime]

2?

[Rootdogg]

 

Trussrod system on the 4003 is more robust.

 

 

Certainly a good thing to know, thanks lug. That info almost makes it a no brainer decision for me.

[bholder]

The pickups are different, but I think the pickup design varied over time anyway. They sound pretty much the same - I suspect there's about as much tone variation between 4001s and 4003s on average as there is among different model years (or even individual basses) of 4001s (but I can't say I've tried enough of them to really have any proof).

[bholder]

2?

 

Or -2, if depending on who you're rooting for. I wonder what the point spread is?

[Kindness]

Ric is a company that keeps producing better instruments as time goes on. In my experience, the newer the better.

[lug]

 

The pickups are different,

 

 

 

Not exactly. Ric went to the high gains several years before the 4003 came out. My 77 4001 has high gains.

[bholder]

 

Not exactly. Ric went to the high gains several years before the 4003 came out. My 77 4001 has high gains.

 

 

Cool, I didn't know that, though I was pretty sure there were various changes in the pickups over the years. For example, the old horseshoe bridge pickup, which I think went away much earlier.

[jackcheez]

What you really want to be asking about is the 4004L.

[squish_man24]

 

2?

 

 

lol

[Thumper]

The 4001 is a better bass in all respects...

 

(runs like hell...)

 

[Rootdogg]

 

Not exactly. Ric went to the high gains several years before the 4003 came out. My 77 4001 has high gains.

 

 

Lug - How do you discern whether or not these "high gain" pups are in the bass I am looking at?

[lug]

 

Lug - How do you discern whether or not these "high gain" pups are in the bass I am looking at?

 

 

 

There are toasters (two slots that look like a toaster viewed from the top), High Gains (black with black poll pieces) and the old Horseshoes (magnet really wrapped around the strings at the bridge pup, not the fake cover that came later). The real horseshoe had a slit in the middle of the cover, the fake (high gain with platic cover) does not.

[ivanthetrble]

There are toasters (two slots that look like a toaster viewed from the top), High Gains (black with black poll pieces) and the old Horseshoes (magnet really wrapped around the strings at the bridge pup, not the fake cover that came later). The real horseshoe had a slit in the middle of the cover, the fake (high gain with platic cover) does not.

 

So the advantage of the high gain pick-ups is the ability to suck at a much higher volume or more clarity to the suck?

[Pine Apple Slim]

Which Ric did I own?

It had the Horseshoe bridge pickup, and a toaster top looking chrome job on the front. It was fireglow with the sharkfin inlays. Rosewood board, with finish on it. It was not stereo. Suspect it was made late 80s to early 90s.

Best playing bass ever. Loved playing it but sound was kinda a one trick pony. Lots of cut, not much deep bottom going on. It worked great for rock, not so much for country, roots rock, or folky stuff, too trebly.

Anyways, I never knew the model,

can anyone guess?

I might pick up another one someday.

[lug]

Toasters

 

Horseshoe and toaster

 

High gain and high gain with fake toaster top

[justinbass]

Ric is a company that keeps producing better instruments as time goes on. In my experience, the newer the better.

 

 

Most years they make small improvements in design. The 2007s are great basses (that I find uncomfortable to play) that sound GOOD.

[Rootdogg]

Toasters Horseshoe and toaster High gain and high gain with fake toaster top

 

Ahhh ha! Very helpful. So the high gains have the exposed poles. Check. Good, this is probably the pickup I would prefer. Good info for when I start shopping.