2009 4003's - How Are They?

[spongebob]

After playing Rics for an age, a while back I got rid of my stash.

I was just a bit fed up with the issues - dead strings, QC issues......the regulars....

However, after a time away, I stll love the old beasts!

I've been window shopping - prices are still mega bucks, but you never know.....

Basically, how are the 2009 models? I was thinking about neck width, and the QC of what's coming out of the factory.

I did like the 4004's, but had to get rid as the neck size became a problem gigging. I had a year 2003 4003(pretty thick), and played a 2008 (thin).

Any other info please....I'm just a bit worried after my other 4003 experiences, I love the basses but....!

[VRICKY63]

Do not know about the 09s but my 08 4003 is the best built of the 4 Rickenbackers I have owned. Beautiful deep fireglo too.

[cassius987]

So you sold those basses you used to own and discuss here? I had no idea you were having such problems with them. I'm awfully sorry to hear it.

Jan-April 2009: Thick necks.
May-present 2009: Thin two-piece necks.

Quality wise, I can tell you my Jan. 2009 bass is perhaps the best fretted bass I own--it's a tough contest versus my 2007 4003, but it totally blows away some of the other (ten or so) fretted bass I've owned in the past. Its neck is thick which means it is quite stable, and it also has a low-mids boost compared with the other Rics I have played. It actually sounds a little more like a 4004 than average (compared to other 4003s). I certainly love it and am thinking of tuning it BEAD...

I can't comment on overall QC because all of my three Rics were bought new and have done pretty well... but definitely, on average, the 2009 has been the least worrisome to get setup for great tone and playability. The other two *did* require a bit of babying but to be honest I haven't really touched the 2009's setup since I first received it. I had a luthier look it over and when I got it back he had done practically nothing!

[spongebob]

All sounds good.

What's the difference betwwen the first 'thin' and the post-May 2-piece thin?

Are they on a par with the early 2008 thins? (I'm getting thinned out here!)

It's funny, I swore recently 'no more Rics' - my first 4003 was never that good, and as I said, others always had the classic glitches. Nothing major, but enough to make me sell. Incidetally, 4003's went up in value, but 4004's went down....so a break-even overall.

It's just when the GAS takew over....!

[cassius987]

What's the difference betwwen the first 'thin' and the post-May 2-piece thin?

According to Ben Hall (IIRC!) the two-piece neck is thinner than a 2008 one-piece neck.

[thx1955]

Jan-April 2009: Thick necks.
May-present 2009: Thin two-piece necks.

???

[spongebob]

The 2008's were quite thin....I've become very used to the uber-thin neck of the Geddy Lee Jazz. My old 2003 '03 was massive in comparision.

That was what did for me and the 4004's. Gorgeous basses, but I couldn't play for too long a period without suffering.

If the new two-piece necks are slimmer than the 2008, then I'm interested. I've seen a nice FG, and it's a week 42 or 43.

I've just got to have a slim neck, I just can't handle anything else!

[walrus]

As you know, the RIC 4003 neck is a completely different neck shape than the Jazz Bass, so it's not going to feel like your Getty Lee. I also own a Jazz bass and a few RICs. My preference is a thin neck. The measurements of Thick and Thin pertain to the depth front to back. Narrow and Wide pertain to the width of the fretboard at the nut.

I have been in the market for a new RIC for awhile now because I was excited by the reintroduction of many of the vintage features (Walnut ends on headstock, Full Width inlays, Push/Pull Tone Circuit bypass). With the current demand, it has been a challenge to find one for sale. I found some earlier this year but the necks were too thick for my taste and I had to pass. When I saw a statement from Ben Hall that indicated that ones made from April on were thinner, I started the search again.

I found a FireGlo made in late April that had a 2 piece neck so I did a few comparisons. First was against a January 2009 and the FireGlo was much thinner. It was not even close. Next I found an August 2009 MapleGlo which also had a 2 piece neck and I saw no difference when compared to the FireGlo. Now the final test was to compare it to my trusty old '76 4001. I have always loved the feel of this bass. The new one felt a little thicker, but it was pretty close. I think that it was actually that the FireGlo has a slightly wider neck which gave me the impression that it was thicker. Does that make any sense?

I played it for quite awhile in the store and then put it on hold. I went back several times just to play it again just to make sure. In the end, I made the purchase. The craftsmanship and new FireGlo finish are second to none. I would venture to say that the stuff coming out of the factory today is among the best that they have ever made. I have been playing it nonstop for the last few weeks and the neck feels very good.

My suggestion would be to spend some time playing it in the store and if it feels right, go for it.

[johnallg]

Jan-April 2009: Thick necks.
May-present 2009: Thin two-piece necks.

???

Jim, the newest 4003 necks have two pieces of maple glued together (grains at 90 degrees) for stiffness and the necks are thinner front to back. Great to see you back, too!

[BAD RONBO, KiLLeR DWaRfS]

pardon my ignorance, but in the early '80's, at music shop II in thornhill, ontario,canada, i saw a 4003 bass, with the 2 piece pickguard, and it had , i believe the two piece neck you guys are talking about. i say this cause i noticed there was no walnut strip and was noticing the construction. or was the two pice pickguard version a 4001 ? i did not like these because of all the screws.

[cjj]

It was almost certainly a 4003 as the 4001's never had the two piece guard. The two piece guard was made specifically for the new 4003 because they flipped the truss rods around so they were adjusted from the body end. The smaller guard piece allowed you to make the adjustments without removing as much stuff.

My '84 4003 has a two piece neck:

[spongebob]

Well, I went and did it!

Got myself a 2009 (October build) Jetglo 4003. I managed to shop around, and get a not-too-bad-a-price (just happy to actually get one over here!).

Gigged her a couple of times last weekend.....it is certainly nice to be back. I've been on a bit of a bass journey this year, and have ended up pretty much where I started!

The 2009 feels really nice - neck pup is a bit quiet, and I'm not sure how thin the neck is - after playing a Geddy (still love this great bass), everything feels big!

It's my first JG, the finish is very good.

It's funny, I used to have a FG and a MID....the FG was never that great, but I do kind of regret selling the MID. I did make a profit on it, but there we go....!

[rickenbrother]

Congrats and welcome back to the Rick owners community, Iain!

[jps]

We require pics to verify the existence of said bass!

[s4001]

Yep, them's the rules.