4004cll bass.. is the neck similar to a 4003/

humbucker75 · Post by **humbucker75** » Mon Feb 17, 2003 10:17 am

How is the "neck feel"on the 4004CII 4 string?

I haven't found one to play..is the neck "chunky"?

Could somebody give a good-definitive description(using another make of bass, as an example)how the 4004cll sounds?
Thanks
Jeff

jeff_ulmer · Post by **jeff_ulmer** » Tue Feb 18, 2003 8:08 am

I'm interested in this too, especially the feel of the five string version (which I know not many have had a chance to fondle). I'm curious how both the 4 and five feel compared to a 4003.

turlu · Post by **turlu** » Thu Feb 20, 2003 8:22 am

It`s been two years since I want to put my hands on a Cheyenne C11 five string and it looks Ric will not produce them before next fall if it is so and up for delivery in 2004, so I kind of gave up on that series. Hopefully I am wrong.
I also would like comments on the feel of the neck.

cheyenne · Post by **cheyenne** » Sat Feb 22, 2003 2:22 am

I own a transparent red 4004 II that I really enjoy. The neck is slightly thicker between the fingers and thumb, not as narrow at the nut as a jazz bass, but not as wide as a p-bass. Similar to a V63. As far as tone, it sounds like a rick, but with a darker flavor. I've used it with my blues band and it cuts through quite well, very punchy.

humbucker75 · Post by **humbucker75** » Fri Feb 28, 2003 11:12 am

Scott,
Thank you for your input.;^)
Based on your description, would it be fair to assume the neck feel(thickness) is like the 4003?I have never played a V63-so I am in the dark about it.

The tone you mention, more like a Ric neck or bridge pick up? Have you ever tried to boost the mids/highs on the amp to see if a trad. Ric tone is lurking in there?
One last question-does your bass have the flame maple or walnut wings on the headstock...any pictures posted on the net?
Enjoy you bass.
Thanks Again-Scott.
Jeff

aceonbass · Post by **aceonbass** » Fri Feb 28, 2003 5:59 pm

I'd like to add something here. While I don't have a 4004 bass,I do have a 4004 pickup installed in one of my 3000 model basses. The electronics are new and identical to the 4004's electronics. The tone is as described above, Ric-like but with a somewhat darker flavor. When I hit the "Bright" switch on my Gallien-Krueger 400RB bass amp it sounds exactly like the horseshoe pickup I put in my 3001. In fact it sounds so much like the horseshoe that I've decided not to replace it with one, which I had been thinking about doing since I so love the tone they put out. By the way, my amp settings are bass and treble on full and low and high mid at around 12:00.

cheyenne · Post by **cheyenne** » Sat Mar 01, 2003 4:02 am

I think the neck would be real close to a 4003, I cant really say because its been years since I played one. I do own a mapleglow V63, thats why I used it for comparison. As far as the tone, it growls real nice in the lower registers and has that real nice full bass tone as you climb toward the 12th fret. It doesn't quite have that rickenbacker "honk"?? but more of a "bark",..very punchy. I play through a Carvin R1000amp and Ampeg 410HLF cabinet and get a great tone with very little effort. My bass has the walnut headstock wings and look great through the transparent red finish. I must tell you, the worksmanship on this bass is incredible, as nice as any handmade bass you can buy. To wrap this up, back to tone, I prefer my 4004 to the V63. pictures coming soon. Hope this helps.

banta · Post by **banta** » Sat Mar 01, 2003 6:34 am

I still want a 4004cii5.

spamegg · Post by **spamegg** » Tue Mar 04, 2003 10:44 am

I concure with Scott's email. I've been playing a '00 green CII as my main axe for almost two years now. The tone is definitely darker and rounder than the classic 4001 tone. (I've never owned/played a 4003 so I have no point of reference. I had a '77 4001 that I bought new and traded a couple years later for a '73 4001 that I had for 15 years). My previous main axe was a jazz bass and I'll tell you the CII neck is *much* wider than the jazz, especially at the nut. It took some getting used to.
The headstock wings on mine are maple. And the back of the body is Maple too. I've seen pictures of 4004 CIIs where the Walnut is exposed on the back, but mine's got a about a 1/2" strip sandwiched between the Maple.
For all around cover gigs, the CII is the way to go. I use to get flak from various players when I used the 4001. It seems people either love ricks or hate them (kind of like Apple computers). The CII's tone is more adaptable to different styles of music. You can get a warm, thick tone, or dig in a bit and get that nice Rick growl. BTW - does anybody have production numbers for CIIs by year? Just wondering how rare they really are. Mine is the only one I've ever seen in the flesh (wood).

flashbackphil · Post by **flashbackphil** » Wed Mar 05, 2003 1:52 pm

I find all the information about 4004's very interesting. From the way you're all describing the sound, it's exactly what I'm looking for. A great range of tones all from one bass would just suit me. I'd love a Laredo but I've never actually held one - or seen one for that matter, only pictures. They're described as having 'sculpted body shape and extra body contouring.' Does that mean that they're like a v63 or a 4003s in body shape or is there more contouring than that? I'm particularly interested because I sometimes find my 4001 ('72) which I love in all other respects, a bit uncomfortable for my right inner forearm during a long set. The binding digs in! Aren't I a whimp? I'd be interested to hear your comments as my chances of actually trying a Laredo before I buy are minimal because there aren't many in the UK and I'll probably end up buying on Ebay like I did with my 4001!

humbucker75 · Post by **humbucker75** » Wed Mar 05, 2003 3:03 pm

thanks for all the info...from what I have read, the 4004IIc's neck is overly thick? The specs on Rics site- the neck width at the nut and the 12th fret are exactly the same as the 4003. I am assuming that the thickness of the 4004 is thicker from front to back than a 4001.

spamegg · Post by **spamegg** » Wed Mar 05, 2003 4:04 pm

Yes, from my memory of my '73's neck, the 4004 is a little thicker (back of the neck to the face of the fingerboard.) However, I wouldn't let that dissuade you from getting one. I've got fairly small hands and the neck isn't too big in any dimension. Now that I'm used to it, it's very comfortable and the bass plays like a dream.
In response to Phil's question, I experienced the same 'digging in' of the binding on my old 4001. The CII is very comfortable to play, the body is contoured quite nicely. One thing I'd like to add: I play mostly fingers but occasionally with a pick. With the 4001 the bridge pickup cover is the perfect place to rest your hand while using a pick. And when using your fingers, you can anchor your thumb anywhere along the pickguard. On the CII, there's no place to anchor your palm when playing with a pick and you've only got the pickups themselves to anchor your thumb against. Again, it just takes a little getting used to.

squirebass · Post by **squirebass** » Wed Mar 05, 2003 6:39 pm

I've never played a CII, but I tried out a CI a few years ago, and I remember that the neck felt a lot like a V63. I was playing a V63 a lot back then too and so the neck on the CI felt right at home to me... It was a very nice bass, and I almost bought it, but it was a used one being sold by that Swami guy at the Bass Palace, and he is so hard to get ahold of that I couldn't close the deal before he sold it to someone else! Shoulda bought it on the spot...

johnhall · Post by **johnhall** » Thu Mar 06, 2003 12:20 pm

The neck thickness on the 4003 and the 4004 is identical.

bottom4 · Post by **bottom4** » Thu Mar 06, 2003 1:34 pm

Mr. Hall, what is the current production rate on the 4004 and where are you in your production run on the 4001C64's

Cheers,

Andy