4001-4003

sabbath_of_bass · Post by **sabbath_of_bass** » Wed Jun 29, 2005 12:10 am

Okay guys. This is probly the stupidest question however I not all that sure. What is the difference with the 4001 4002 4003? I mean i know the whole Year thing now. But what else? Im looking to buy one soon so i figured this would be important.

Oh and the 4004L and 4004Cii. What do they sound like?

edski · Post by **edski** » Wed Jun 29, 2005 3:24 am

4001 and 4003 are basically the same, according to John Hall the main difference is the way the truss rods are put together. Also, the modern 4003's have slightly hotter PU's.

4002 is a fairly rare beast, with humbuckers, vol/tone controls for each PU, selector switch, and I think an XLR output jack. It looks similar to the 4001, but the pickguard is a bit different.

4004 is a similar body shape, but no binding. 2 basic versions, the Laredo (chrome hardware) and Cheyenne (gold hardware). The 4004 has 2 humbuckers (newer HB-1's), and a single pair of volume/tone knobs, selector switch. There has been significant evolution, the Cheyenne I was a natural finish walnut wings/maple neck, similar finish to a 650 Dakota or Sierra. The newer Cheyenne II has a maple/mahogany/maple sandwich for the body wongs, and can come in translucent finishes. The Laredo is still basically the solid finish version (although there are fireglo's), has solid maple body wings. The early 4004's had maple fingerboards, all the newer 4004's have a bubinga finger board. Over time the PU locations have drifted a bit witht he 4004, newer ones have the PU's a little closer to the bridge than the older ones.

The 4004 IMO is a very under appreciated model.

Sounds...that varies by guitar and opinion. My 4001 and 4004 sound very similar to each other (except for the fact the 4004 output is about 2x the 4001), but I think if that has to do with the strings on them (flats on the 4001, RW's on the 4004). All in all I suppose the general consensus is the modern 4003's are deeper and richer sounding than the older 4001's, and the 4004's are a little deeper than the 4003. But the 4001/3 is generally a little heavier, so more mass=more sustain and a deeper tone.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Wed Jun 29, 2005 4:01 am

the 60's 4001 basses had very thin necks and weak pickups ... they had a toaster in the neck and a horseshoe in the bridge ... the original horseshoe was wound to about 6k or 7k ohms ... it had a steel magnet which usually degaussed with time making the pickup even weaker ... the neck was one piece maple with a rosewood fretboard with full width mop inlays and checkered body binding ... and they had a bass cut capaciter for the bridge pickup and they were designed for low tension flat wound strings ...

In the 70's they changed to 8k ohm high gain pickups and the neck got stronger ... it had 3 pieces of wood laminated together ... they had a "skunk stripe" ... the neck was thicker and the headstock got smaller and the neck pickup moved 1/2" and the pickguard got smaller and the finger rest went away ...

in the 80's the 4003 came along ... the neck got stronger and the pickups were hotter ... the 1st generation of 4003 basses had 2 piece pickguards ... the modern 4003 has a strong neck, better truss rod system 11k ohm pickups ... it is a very nice bass ...

the re-issue 4001 basses, (the 4001cs, the 4001v63, the 4001c64,) are really a 4003 bass ... they have the modern neck and modern pickups ...

the 4002 was a late 70's bass that was ahead of its time ... this bass was high end ... it had humbucker and different pickup placement and even had headstock binding ...

the 4004 is thinner, sleeker, and more modern ... it has hot humbuckers wound to about 15k ohms and they are wired in series like a p-bass ...

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Wed Jun 29, 2005 4:46 am

Get a 4003 they're the best of the best and if you're only going to have one Ric it's the classic one updated, kills the competition.

bob_the_bass · Post by **bob_the_bass** » Wed Jun 29, 2005 4:55 am

With you all the way on that one Bob !!

Bob

edski · Post by **edski** » Wed Jun 29, 2005 5:48 am

See? More 4004 discrimination!

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Wed Jun 29, 2005 5:55 am

get a 4001, a 4002, a 4003, and a 4004 ...

edski · Post by **edski** » Wed Jun 29, 2005 5:56 am

That's good advice, Jeff!

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Wed Jun 29, 2005 6:48 am

Yeah but he said buy one, the others will come later.

edski · Post by **edski** » Wed Jun 29, 2005 7:03 am

Yeah but he said buy one

LOL! We're supposed to encourage buying ONLY one!

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Wed Jun 29, 2005 7:20 am

If I was only getting one it would be the 4003 ... running a close second would be a 4004 ... the 4002 is hard to find ... and a 4001 is a classic ...

ken_swearingen · Post by **ken_swearingen** » Wed Jun 29, 2005 7:26 am

You cant go wrong with a 4003,I have a 67 ric 4001s with horseshoe and toaster as Jeff says the horseshoe is weak .If I were to play my 67 all the time i would replace the horseshoe with a high gain.4003 is easier to find than a 4004 or 4002.4001 has the older trus rod system not a great choice,a 4003 is your best bet.

ken_swearingen · Post by **ken_swearingen** » Wed Jun 29, 2005 7:29 am

ole chunky neck haha,lets not start that again.

mikmik · Post by **mikmik** » Wed Jun 29, 2005 1:01 pm

Sorry guys, have to dissent...4001 all the way!HATE the 4003 neck,and the pickups drastically alter that classic tone...

rickcrazy · Post by **rickcrazy** » Wed Jun 29, 2005 1:18 pm

Hmm... I like your style, Mick (honest!).