As of two weeks ago I am the proud owner of a 4004L Jetglo and I absolutely love it!
Owning this bass is truly a dream come true for me because I have been wanting it for so long yet it is impossible to find, let alone in Athens, Greece, of all places! I am pretty sure I am the only owner of a 4004 in the country as they are pretty expensive and hard to come across. The 4003s are quite rare as well; actually, you can't buy them in a store, you either have to have someone bring it from abroad for you or but it over the net. I have yet to gig the 4004 but I recorded a track for my band last week and the producer said it sounded really nice. I have gigged the 4003, though, and you'd me amazed at how many people notice and remark on what a beautiful instrument it is.
As many have said on this forum, how can you buy something that you have never seen or played anywhere, considering it costs a hefty amount of money? Well, let me tell you: After owning a 4003 and literally searching the entire Internet for info on the 4004, I was so confident that it kicks major @ss, so when I saw it in the flesh, I checked a couple of things and proceeded to buy it without any further ado. Believe me when I tell you that seeing it in pictures and seing it in real life is not even close! I have this bass next to me when I'm at home and I just keep admiring how beautifully simple it is, yet how astonishing the all black/chrome combination looks! It really is one beautiful bass!
Sound-wise, I don't care what various reviews on the net say, I think it's a monster! Those humbuckers are just huge! Whoever says that Ricks don't have bottom end, obviously hasn't played this one! It sounds so exciting to me! Huge bottom end, versatile (I don't think there's a problem to play any style on it), yet it retains the Rickenbacker sound but in such a different way than the 4003. It's like all of the above are combined in one!
The only two things for me are that a) the neck felt quite thick at first, coming from a super fast 4003, but I can say that I am getting used to it ok and b) the E string sounds kind of flat and I hope that it will not be too much of an issue to correct, judging from the info provided herein.
In conclusion, I absolutely love this bass, I still can't believe it that I own it, and to those seriously interested: Ιf you find one, you will buy it!
