New 4003 vs 81' 4001?

throw_this_away · Post by **throw_this_away** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 4:47 am

Hey,

I know you guys probably get a ton of these questions, but here is mine. In my defence, I have done a lot of online reading on the topic already...

I want a ric, mapleglo or jetglo, but I am torn between getting a used 81' 4001, or ponying up an extra 200$ and buying a new 4003. What would the main differences between the two be? My main issues are pichup output and neck feel. My understanding that some of the late 4001 models were in a bit of a transition period as far as pickups/neck design.

What do you guys think might be the better option based on my following profile...?

I have never held/played a new 4003 (there are ZERO ric dealers in eastern canada... and I know of no one with a ric in my area... part of the reason I want one, haha). I have played a 70's 4001 a few years back n Montreal though... the neck felt wide, but I liked the feel/sound (and of course look) of the bass.

I am a jazz bass guy... I keep going back to my jazz bass. I love the neck and the tone. I play my first ever mexican fender jazz with upgraded 60's reissue pickups more than I play my 1600$ high end fender jazz/precision special artist series model.

With that being said, I want something different (yet classic), and like many, I have been lured in by the tone of rics on recordings (70's rush). I also play rock/alternative music, and I play fingerstyle only (so I may never get "that sound" unless I pick up a pick).

Thanks for any advice help. My biggest issue is that I will be buying a bass that I cannot first hold (ebay or mail-order)... so my concern is to learn as much as possible and compare it to what I know.

beatlefan · Post by **beatlefan** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 4:53 am

Pay the extra and go new....you won't regret it.

The old ones are fine, but it's hard to beat the quality and sound of the newer RIC's.....hotter pickups, stronger neck(but thicker), etc...

My two cents worth...no charge, either!!

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 4:56 am

I like the new stuff that Rickenbacker has been making ... I prefer 1986 and later basses ...

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 4:59 am

Geddy plays fingerstyle ... it is easier to get that sound with a pick ... but you can get it fingerstyle ... get some videos of Geddy and Entwistle and see how they play and get that attack ...

throw_this_away · Post by **throw_this_away** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 5:11 am

haha... well I am a "heavy-fingerd" finger style player

edski · Post by **edski** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 5:11 am

The main differences between the 4001 and 4003 are the truss rods and the PU's. Stronger in both departments in the 4003, but IIRC the last 4001's might have had the stronger truss rods too. 1981 was pretty late in the 4001's history, some of the more knowledgable buffs could probably expound on that more...

I have a 75 4001, a 2004 4004 Laredo, and a 2001 650 Dakota (guitar). All 3 are great instruments, and the quality of new Rick's seem to be top notch. Can't complain about either one of my Ricks.

As for getting the new vs old...I don't think you can go wrong with the new one, buying a used guitar has a level of luck involved. Depends I suppose on if the 81 4001 is in really good shape. If you can't actually physically see the old one, I'd buy the new...if the older one is in good shape, then even if you don't like it you probably can get your money back selling it.

Sorry to be so wishy-washy, but I'd try to get both!

gareth · Post by **gareth** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 6:22 am

As far as I can tell, the only important difference is that you can run pretty much any string you want on a 4003 because the neck can withstand higher string tensions. On 4001's if you moved away from flats, it was a bit of a toss up how your neck would fare over time. Some did OK, some didn't. The new 4003's are great in the quality dept though and I don't think that you would be sorry with the sound or playabilty of them. I would buy a 4001 only after playing it. As they age, each bass will season differently and sound unique. Some sound good, some OK, and some just sound stellar. Put the right bass in your hands, and you won't care about the year or model.

iamthebassman · Post by **iamthebassman** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 6:32 am

I would start off with a new one and then get an older one later, you know you can't have just one!

jnbass · Post by **jnbass** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 7:31 am

buy both-let your creditors decide...

morrow · Post by **morrow** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 7:39 am

Hi John...I live in Halifax too and play a blues jam at Bearly's every Sunday night.I will be bringing my "80 4001 this Sunday.I picked it up last month in Toronto.
There was a 4001 for sale in the buy and sell page of the Halifax Locals page. I believe it has a badass bridge though. There are not that many around here and few go up for sale.One just sold at Capsule music in TO....it's worth checking their site.
Drop down to Bearly's ....the fun starts around 8:30.

ken_swearingen · Post by **ken_swearingen** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 10:08 am

John, the new 4003s are awesome basses the neck isn't as flat as a 4001 might be sort of baseball bat like, but the tone and output are great,tough choice ,go with the 4003 or even a 4004cii they have a neck similar to a fender..

morrow · Post by **morrow** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 10:09 am

John....e-mail sent . There's a 4001 available in town .

throw_this_away · Post by **throw_this_away** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 10:42 am

Thanks morrow... I may check you out at Bearleys on sunday if I get the time. I would love to see/play the bass.

The 81 bass I was looking at is on ebay, the only one currently being sold in canada. Looks/sounds to be in very good condition, and it has had roundwounds for the 10 years it was played with no apparent ill effects.

I trust that it is truly in good shape, but I am in the situation where I am looking to buy a bass without holding or playing it first. The new model is tempting because it guarantees that it will be in good shape, but then it is more money.

Buying both would be a great option, but I can only afford one (taxes were very very good to me this year).

morrow · Post by **morrow** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 11:02 am

John....I had wanted a Ric for years and just missed several. I wanted a 4001. About a month ago i bumped into Al Tuck in Capsule Music in TO.I was going on to Al about how much I wanted a Ric and a girl who was standing there told me where one was.
.....I got it
[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v706/morrow2/ric4.jpg[/img]

throw_this_away · Post by **throw_this_away** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 11:13 am

Very nice finish! Thanks for taunting me

The factory-new basses I wanted to buy are both sold... and that was after I emailed them saying that I wanted to buy one and figure out payment... sigh. Month and a half wait now at least. Money burning a hole in my pocket.