23 Months...

[cjj]

Very Nice CJ

But how does it sound !!!!!!

Can you believe it? I haven't plugged it in yet! Just took it out long enough for a couple of pics...

[ajish4]

Congrats CJ!

Hmmmm, MG!

NICE!

[johnallg]

Well, this is similar, but I think mine fell over...

The Case.JPG

Hey, I got one just like that!

[johnallg]

CJ, love the birdseye happening on that bass. Congrats on a real looker. Now go plug that sucka in!

[cjj]

OK, OK, I just got through with a half hour session with the new bass...

First impressions? Well, it sounds like a Rick! I'm not sure, but it seems like it may have a bit hotter pickups than my old '76 4001 or my '84 4003. But it sounds great (well, as great as my ****** amp setup will allow)! This is the first time I've had the new NON-vintage tone switch. I say NON-vintage 'cause everything else I have IS vintage, so this one allows me the new non-vintage tone. Hmm, not sure I really like it. I'll have to play with tone settings and such on the amps to really see what it can do. Then, I need to do some side by side comparisons, but since my "music room" is about 45 degrees F, I'm not inclined to keep my RICs out there this time of year.

As I mentioned, I really need to do something different for amps. I can't really say I like the setup I've got. I'm thinking of going with a couple of Sansamp RPM's, but that'll be a while before I can afford those.

Anyway, the next thing I can say about this new 4003 is about the neck. I'm unimpressed. Not bad, really pretty good in fact, feels a lot like my '84 4003 neck. But just not as slim and nice as my old '76 4001. The '76 4001 feels exactly like I remember my old '74 4001 being. Really slim and fast. These 4003's just seem kinda fat to me. I'll have to see if I can grow to like it. Well, so much for John Hall saying the new 4003 necks are "the thinnest ever". Maybe for the 4003's, but to me they seem bigger than the 4001's. Or maybe it's the shape that's different, I've never quite figured it out.

All in all, it's a great bass, as expected from RIC...

[jps]

Interesting comments about the neck thinness! The May '08 4003 I have feels just like my two '73 4001s. Very nice, to say the least. Maybe you should just buy my FG 4001 and be happy.

[johnallg]

Thanks, CJ. The 4003 does have hotter wound pickups than both the '76 4001 and the '84 4003 - both have around 8k windings while the new higains are around 11.5k.

[cjj]

Thanks for that, I sure thought it was louder.

Anyway, this particular bass just isn't "doing it" for me. This one just might be "movin' on". It's a really nice 4003, but there's just something about it that doesn't click with me. I guess I'm the kind of guy that if I don't just love it, I'm not gonna keep it. Not absolutely sure yet, we'll see in a few days...

[cassius987]

You'd think with CNC the necks would all be the same, but people are reporting lots of variance....

It's very pretty CJ, but if you don't like the sound, sell it. You'll make a profit for sure.

I hope mine looks as good as CJ's AND plays and sounds as well as my other recent 4003. Maybe I just like the current specs. If the one I get has a neck that is the same as that of my 2007 I will be 100% pleased... any thinner and it may be like my Jazz Bass, kind've painful to play at certain spots.

[teeder]

It's a bummer you had to wait so long and then aren't pleased with it.

I remember when I first got my '93 MG V63. It's neck is a little on the big side, IMO. The first words out of my mouth were "My God what have I done!". I never did get used to it and it's now somewhere it will be more appreciated.

[johnallg]

It's a bummer you had to wait so long and then aren't pleased with it.

I remember when I first got my '93 MG V63. It's neck is a little on the big side, IMO. The first words out of my mouth were "My God what have I done!". I never did get used to it and it's now somewhere it will be more appreciated.

Did you have another V63MG Kevin?? The one I got from you is sweet and not big at all; you should try my '04 4003! I just had to get the V out today and give it a go again as it had been a while. Put it away after playing it when I got back from MARF3 last Nov. and it was still in tune and the neck was straight. Gotta love that too.

[cjj]

It's a bummer you had to wait so long and then aren't pleased with it.

I remember when I first got my '93 MG V63. It's neck is a little on the big side, IMO. The first words out of my mouth were "My God what have I done!". I never did get used to it and it's now somewhere it will be more appreciated.

It's not so much the neck, it's kind of the whole package. As far as looks go, I like the fretboard, but the body, though it does have a bit of birdseye, is kinda plain. Not ugly by any means, but for sure, if I'd walked into a store and saw this one on the rack, I wouldn't have bought it. I guess that's the problem with ordering sight unseen. I'm sure others would have different opinions.

Perhaps I'm just spoiled by the ones I already have too. If I had nothing to compare it to, I'd probably think it's wonderful. But, having a couple of others makes the waiting fairly insignificant. Ah well, if I decide to sell it, I don't think I'll lose money on the deal...

[teeder]

and it was still in tune and the neck was straight. Gotta love that too

There's much to be said for that!

[johnallg]

CJ, you are spoiled. That flamed one you got from Steve is, in my experience, a one-off for 4003 basses. You want plain maple? My '04 4003, my first and possibly most favorite:

[cjj]

CJ, you are spoiled. That flamed one you got from Steve is, in my experience, a one-off for 4003 basses. You want plain maple? My '04 4003, my first and possibly most favorite:

body (600 x 450).jpg

Yeah, that one for looks, and my '76 Azureglo for feel/playability...