'09 4003 Necks - Slim is out?

[paul_yan]

I have a late Jan./early Feb. '09 4003 MG that's still at Mike Parks'. I asked Mike if she had the "2008 Slim Neck" and he said she did. I hope the 4003 from now on never goes back to the '01~'07 chunky neck profile.

I briefly owned this April 2007 4003 BBR. After receiving her, I opened the case, felt the chunky neck, felt dissapointed, put her back in the case, and never had a desire to play her. Her string action could not be as low as my '98 and '86 even though the neck was adjusted absolutely straight. I sold her a couple of months ago. I loved the BBR finish and the headstock shape though.

[cheyenne]

I honestly dont have a problem with the chunky neck profile.

But then again I'm a big guy, 6'4 250lbs, big hands, and I admit, I do prefer the feel of the "thinner" profile, but the "thick" necks I've had are so freaking stable its hard for me to choose one over the other.

[paul_yan]

Your point well taken, Scott, but I'm shorter scaled and "slimmer", 6' and 154 lbs, with medium-small hands.

See, a 4003 looks bigger on me than on you!

[cheyenne]

I guess what I was trying to say was, I definatley feel the difference in the necks. And I can see why the majority favors the "thinner" profile.

I realize I'm one of the few that can appreciate both profiles. I wish they could "standardize" one or the other though. That way you know what your buying when you drop you deposit looking at a 24 or 36 month backlog.

I dont mean this in a negative way toward Rickenbacker. I know it must be tough to try to make everyone happy.

[paul_yan]

Very much indeed, Scott.

As the majority of people prefer the slimmer neck, I tend to think RIC would please the most, if not all, with the thinner neck. Players who like thicker necks have plenty of mint '01~'07 4003 basses to buy from eBay, Craiglist or here in this forum. Of course, that's just my very humble opinion.

[johnallg]

I honestly dont have a problem with the chunky neck profile.

But then again I'm a big guy, 6'4 250lbs, big hands, and I admit, I do prefer the feel of the "thinner" profile, but the "thick" necks I've had are so freaking stable its hard for me to choose one over the other.

scott bb.jpg

I'm the same, Scott. Same size both me and the hands, and though I feel the differences, they do not matter or get in the way. I also agree the bigger necks are more stable - like a rock.

[bobcat]

The proof is in the pudding.

Pudding = neck measurements.

Quote of the year?

Only if we get a wordfilter going on the forum that changes "neck" to "pudding" in every instance.

I'm not sure if that's legitimately funny or if I'm just immature.

[cheyenne]

Anyone out there got one of those "chunky neck" 4003's they want to get rid of?

Preferably Jetglo?

Im thinking of selling or trading my new Mapleglo Larado 4004. The 4004 series is good, but I still prefer the 4003.

[ajish4]

Funny,

I've had at LEAST six NEW 4003's from 2004/2005 and each one had a HUGE, thick neck. My 2007 DCM wasn't much better, BUT I have a 2006 4003 Monty that is very comfortable. My 2007 4003FL had the new neck profile and was perfect.

JH did mention that they were switching to the C64 profile, I still think the few chubbies are just working their way through the system.

I'm still surprised how playable my 4004cii is, being it has a MUCH different profile. It's been getting a LOT of play time. I was even thinking last night, I'd like another and have it made fretless.

[cheyenne]

Got a Jetglo????

This Mapleglo Larado would make a great fretless.

[ajish4]

Got a Jetglo????

This Mapleglo Larado would make a great fretless.

Scott!,

Alas, not Jetglo.....Mapleglo Larado?!?! Mapleglo, my weakness....

Somehow my humble collection has transitioned to mostly 4001's.

I only have 2 4003's, one is a FL that isn't going anywhere, and my other is my Monty with a HS & toaster and it was a gift.

Lots of 4001's, only a few 4003's...

[cassius987]

I redid the measurements using the simpler "paper" method and found that I had erred. Here are my Jan 2009 4003 MG measurements:

[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]

Sorry for my mistake. I examined my tape measure and indeed the way I was measuring it, there is a free couple of centimeters till the grabber that skews the measurement.

This bass is VERY comfy to play for me so this change in data is really only academic from my perspective. It doesn't even look any thicker to me, but iiipopes noticed it. (His 4002 is similarly chunky.)

The data for my 2007 should probably be thrown out til I re-measure.

[cassius987]

I'm still surprised how playable my 4004cii is, being it has a MUCH different profile. It's been getting a LOT of play time. I was even thinking last night, I'd like another and have it made fretless.

Not to go OT but were you planning on a new fingerboard or maple inserts or what? I would be scared to convert something to fretless without a preceding established method and I haven't seen much about conversion. I agree though, fretless is king.

[cheyenne]

Bummer......

[ajish4]

I'm still surprised how playable my 4004cii is, being it has a MUCH different profile. It's been getting a LOT of play time. I was even thinking last night, I'd like another and have it made fretless.

Not to go OT but were you planning on a new fingerboard or maple inserts or what? I would be scared to convert something to fretless without a preceding established method and I haven't seen much about conversion. I agree though, fretless is king.

Joshua,

What I'd like to do and what I can afford to do at this time are two different things.

I'd PREFER an EBONY fingerboard with no fret lines. BUT, the cost involved is prohibitive right now. It would include a refin of the neck but that's what I'm after. I used to own a good number of Alembic basses, and I LOVED the Ebony fingerboard on each one.

I've recently had a conversion done on a Peavey T-40 as an experiment. It has a Rosewood fingerboard....It was done by my local luthier and we opted for simple maple inserts and Rosewood shavings made into a paste to fill the fret lines, then sanded down and finished with Tung oil.

It sounds great, but the fingerboard keeps absorbing the Tung oil. Plus, the lines bug me. They are not visible when the Tung oil is newly applied, but as it is absorbed, the dark lines begin to show through. It has a great upright tone, but I'd prefer no marks on the fingerboard.

SO, my new FANTASY RIC will be a 4004 FL with an Ebony fingerboard. I was recently informed by a VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE fellow that Ebony will probably become unavailable for purchase in the near future. Seems Cites has it in its sights for preservation....so I'm keeping an eye out on Ebay for a viable piece of wood for future use.

SCOTT,

No love for a 4001?

I'd love to get some shots of your 4004L Maple if you have the time!

SORRY FOR THE THREAD DRIFT......