New Standard Feature! - 1/10/2006

ken_swearingen · Post by **ken_swearingen** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 8:24 pm

A slim neck is what keeps me buying and playing the older Ric's,if the 4003/4004 had slimmer necks they would be ideal.

We can always sneak in at night and re-adjust the cnc neck making machine.

jnbass · Post by **jnbass** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 8:34 pm

thanks from the "half-full" crowd!

bobcat · Post by **bobcat** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 8:36 pm

Whoa, I got to this thread late!

That's a really cool feature. It's not a return of the "S" bass, but hey, it's still really cool, and a much more realistic thing to do, product-wise . . . it doesn't involve really any significant modification of the bass (just wiring the pickups to the push-pull switch), and it gives you even more tonal options, which is freaking amazing. I'm still not done figuring out what I can do with 2 volumes, 2 tones, a toggle switch, and my hand placement on the strings (never change those controls, please; they offer so much and never get in the way), and now there's this thing . . . I wonder, will we be able to buy the "tone selector" separately, as a spare part? I would love to put one in my 4003, and I'm not really up for buying a new bass right now (man, you bring back walnut headstock wings AND add a vintage tone feature only a couple years after I buy my Ric . . .).

Oh, and to Bob . . . no, I'm not the same Bobcat. I'm pretty inept at doing anything other than surfing on the internet, so I would definitely not have a website. Bobcat has been my nickname since birth (my Dad has a habit of nicknaming EVERYONE after animals), so that's me.

Actually, completely offtopic (at least, offtopic from the new bass feature), at college, people basically call me Bobcat or 'Cat, which has become my "rockstar" name. Kind of funny . . .

bobcat · Post by **bobcat** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 8:38 pm

Oh, and I would SO buy a 4003 if I could get the slim neck, along with walnut headstock wigns, a neck toaster and the vintage tone selector, in mapleglo. Deluxe or "S" doesn't matter in that case.

thinneckrick · Post by **thinneckrick** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 9:32 pm

Slim neck 4003's would be a dream come true !!

ilan · Post by **ilan** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 9:38 pm

Nice feature. Personally I wouldn't have any use for the cap, but I appreciate the fact that RIC are finding ways to improve a classic design, and are satisfying our desire for vintage features, like walnut ears, slim body horns, toaster option, long headstock, aged finish, cap switch, and perhaps thinner neck profile in the future. And they are doing it without sacrificing any of the upgrades to the 4000 series over the years, like balanced pickups, a good truss rod system or stable neck construction. Now if they could only go back to the old "hump-less" pickguard...

My hat's off to you, JH. Keep 'em coming!

nattiep · Post by **nattiep** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 10:17 pm

Wow.. that makes me want one later this year for sure. I'm used to my 4001 (which has the cap) and this new thing could help me with MY sound. I could get the 70's Geddy sound or up the bottom and get MY sound on the same bass. Makes my 4001 even more obsolete. I can't wait!

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 10:44 pm

Added versatility to the 4003's without sacrifice - sounds very cool indeed! Unfortunatley, i'm not in a position to buy another 4003 this year but i'd certainly buy some kind of retrofit-kit if it became available.

To the naysayers, why? Don't fret (HAR!), more is in the pipline, as Mr. Hall said.

cheyenne · Post by **cheyenne** » Wed Jan 11, 2006 1:45 am

I like the new feature. I also prefer the newer 4003's.

I must be the only one that likes the chunkier neck profile.

ajish4 · Post by **ajish4** » Wed Jan 11, 2006 2:14 am

Anyone know if the rumored 75th Anniversary model exists or will there just be some kind of special TRC, color, or something along that line?

Also, we now know some very cool STANDARD things that are happening, what about NEW OPTIONAL add ons?

ANYTHING new we can order as an option or an upgrade? Checkered binding, split bridge, finger rest, HORSESHOE PICKUP (PLEASE), something more along the "vintage" vibe?

How about it John, any more HINTS you can give us?

highway_star · Post by **highway_star** » Wed Jan 11, 2006 3:00 am

Thanks, John. I'll check out a new 4003 when it hits the stores. Meanwhile, I'm quite happy with my 4001C64.

jps · Post by **jps** » Wed Jan 11, 2006 3:31 am

I too, wish for a thinner neck! I always gravitate towards my RIC basses that have the thinner necks.

Later this year, I will order a new 4003.1, with all the new upgrades, but a thinner neck is very much desired, thanks.

mikeyesfan · Post by **mikeyesfan** » Wed Jan 11, 2006 5:47 am

Sounds GREAT!
I'm buyin one....
MikeParks can you here me!!

Thanks John Hall for All the efforts to improve your Products..And that you listen to what your "customers" Want.
That's why you have Loyal Customers..

s4001 · Post by **s4001** » Wed Jan 11, 2006 6:27 am

Any chance of getting sound clips on the website? I know you folks are pretty busy there and there isn't much of a ROI on a freebie, but it'd be nice to see.

henry5 · Post by **henry5** » Wed Jan 11, 2006 6:35 am

Ditto. I think it's a GREAT option. I can't see a negative; the 4003 lovers get to keep the 4003, the 4001 lovers get that too (more or less) and both are given the option of the other, all without resorting to mods. What's not to like?

For me it would be great, as I prefer recording with a 4001, but sometimes find I need a bit more 4003-esque beef live. Et voila! All I need now is full width inlays and checkered binding and I can drag myself kicking and screaming into 2006...oh, and I can't say thanks enough for the walnut wings BTW. Next purchase? I wonder....