Tritone wrote:-balanced string response (as I've heard some 4003s have weak E strings)
Never had this issue but have heard clips of it from others. I think it's setup related. I know there are some threads on here of people who had it and fixed it.
-no dead spots (I've heard this can be a problem, especially on the D string around the 8th-10th fret and around the 3rd-7th fret of the G string)
If you have a thicker neck or a laminated neck like the new 2-piece you're much less likely to have this but no one besides the dealer can promise you anything before buying if you don't play it first. I have one bass with a very thin one-piece neck that had an issue at the 10th fret D string but it has since resolved itself without much work on my part (in terms of actually getting results). I think once the wood settled it just stopped happening, but no amount of tweaking on my part did any good in the long run... it just took time.
-no neck dive (I *hate* that)
I think this is symptomatic of how you wear your strap. If you wear it in a normal playing position you should be fine. I have never experienced dive on *any* bass using that position--it's the one promoted by teaching methods like Hal Leonard. A bit higher than I initially wanted but it facilitates playing and hand/wrist health.
-a weight under 9.7 lbs
I'm pretty sure most 4003s clock in under that.
-no tail lift? Is this a problem for new Rics or just for aging ones?
Seems like 99% of these complaints are on older Rics but now people are so sensitive about it that they consider any sort of gap to be tailpiece lift. Sometimes my basses had mine lift, like 1/32'', and it was just because the screws under the bridge were too tight compared to the other two. So you need to be aware of how to set the bass up if you're concerned about this.
-good sound (duh!)
That's one thing that has never failed me with any of my 4003s, 4003FL or 4001FL. They all sounded great the first time I picked them up. Set up will enhance this but there is usually an inherent potential to the bass to begin with. If there's not any, you're in trouble, but I only know of one person who experienced basses that were beyond redemption in his ears and they were not 4003s.
