Sorta-Newbie Advice

[lerxst_x]

Hi all, been lurking around here for a few months...now ready to ask some questions.

I'm planning on purchasing my first Rickenbacker. I've been playing guitar for almost 30 years, mostly at church. In the past few years, I've started playing bass there, and I'm really enjoying it. I currently play a Jazz bass, but I had the opportunity to play a new 4003 a few months back, and have been under a state of constant GAS attack since then.

I've found a way to free up about $2000 for the purchase of a bass, and I've definitely decided that it will be a Rickenbacker of some sort. My question for this group is what is your opinion on what would be better to get, a new 4003 or an older 4001?? I've played both a '75 4001 and a new 4003 (neither plugged in though), and I felt that both had good points. Not afraid of the 4001 truss rods...I've done enough research on-line to understand the dos and don'ts there. I would be using it at my weekly church service, and I'm guessing the 4003 would be a bit more versatile (due to to the vintage switch), but would it sound as good as a mid to late 70's 4001?

Thanks in advance for your input.

--tom

[cheyenne]

Try and play a few of them before you buy. Ricks are wonderful basses, but some are extraordinary.

I've owned around 20 really interesting ones over the years, but my favorite was an everyday run of the mill 2001 4003 in Fireglo.

[woodyng]

As far as the "vintage versus new",both have pros and cons,but really they are all of a high quality standard,so it's a bit apples and oranges.
And not to confuse you even further, but with your budget,there's also the 4004 models to consider. (Unless that's something you're just not interested in).
I own a couple of vintage (72/74) Ricks,and a couple of more modern ones.(98/04),and they're all great. With an older one,just look for the usual things,i.e,frets in good shape,electronics working,neck straight....Good Luck with your Search.

[woodyng]

Try and play a few of them before you buy. Ricks are wonderful basses, but some are extraordinary

For real! That point recently made again for me at the BARC2015 with a sampling of some of Gareth's 4001 collection. He has a '73 that is PERFECT. (I'm talking feel,playability,etc).The other 2 '70's 4001's were nothing to sneeze at either,but....

[Gilmourisgod]

Some of the older 4001 models have thinner necks, but it's by no means universal. They seemed to vary with the touch of whoever happened to be sanding them down that day. The new 4003 are all CNC, so all identical, though some people find them uncomfortably thick now, more like a P-Bass neck with no taper as you walk up the neck. Unless you find a really exceptional 4001, and can play it in person, I'd go for a new 4003 or 4003S, which is a little more stripped down with no binding and more rounded edges. Some people find the sharp 90 degree edge and lack of elbow or belly relief uncomfortable on standard 4003 basses. GC carries the 4003 in stock in many stores now, but I doubt you will find a 4003s anywhere, still working through a 6-month backorder. There have been some minor cosmetic QC issues on 4003 basses, so I wouldn't buy one online sight unseen/unplayed. If you like maple fingerboards, check out the 4003W with walnut body wings, gorgeous basses.

[jps]

...not to confuse you even further, but with your budget,there's also the 4004 models to consider.

Yes, let's definitely give him more to think about!

Absolutely give consideration to a 4004 of some sort.

[lerxst_x]

Thanks, everybody. Definitely a lot to think about. The GC in my area has a '75 4001 (white with black pg) and a new 4003. I'll have to try both those again. The 4001 was narrower across the nut than the new 4003, but both were comfortable to me. I'm not worried about the binding, as I'm a long time player of Les Pauls and PRS. Plus it didn't bother me on either of the ones at GC.

If I do decide to go with new, I'm thinking I might order from wildwood....the seem to have plenty in Stock right now. I'm sure some of you have dealt with them before, would it be reasonable to ask them to pick out the one they think is best? Would they do that? Unfortunately, I'm not in CO.

Thanks again!

[Searay]

I'd go for a new 4003 with a warranty and get exactly what you want. I've bought new the last two times and am really pleased with the new production product. A good solid investment as well. They hold their value.

[edski]

Personally I'd got the new route also.

And as Woody and Jeff said, think about a 4004.

Although there are many people who like both Jazz Basses and Ricks, there is a distinct difference between the string spacing at the nut. The J bass has a 3/8" spacing between the strings, the Ricks are more like a P bass with 7/16" spacing. Both have approximately the same 3/4" spacing at the bridge. After many years I came to the conclusion that I just did not like the feel of the J bass neck, sold mine, and had a custom fretless made with the neck based off my 4004.

The main difference with the 4003 vs 4004 are the electronics - humbuckers vs the Hi gain pickups, and the 4004 comes stock with just a single volume and tone. The pots in the 4004 are not well matched for the PUP's, leading many to say these basses are dark/dingy sounding, but with better matched pots that is not the case. I put dual concentric pots (500K) in my Laredo so I have the tonal range as a 4003, and get basically the same growl as my 75 4001. I also think the 4004 handles my rougher style of play better than the 4001.

Good luck!

[ram]

I agree with all that has been said, one thing about the 4004s the seem to be lighter weight wise.

[jdogric12]

I'd snatch up the 75 in a heartbeat.

[lerxst_x]

Thanks again for everybody's help. UPS has a Fireglo 4003 on the way to me now.

[superheavydeathmetal]

It really doesn't matter which one you buy first - you'll have several before you know it!

That's how it always works.