New basses

[wim]

They've got a surf vibe to it.
I like the walnut, but....
A bass has 4 strings

[cheyenne]

4004? Nobody orders those.

Please tell me your being sarcastic. I've been putting money back for a Jetglo 4004L for quite some time now.

[Hornbrille]

Innovation ist always welcome but this mishmash of new components and old style PG and controls doesn’t look very convincing to me.
Maybe it would have been better to improve the 4004 series or even come up with a whole new model.

The 4001/4003 is one of the most iconic designs of the 20th century. I think you shouldn’t mess with it.

[jdogric12]

Very cool - would love to get a 4004Cii/5 with these pickups!

I wish the haters would just keep their mouths shut. They ruin it for the rest of us!

[radapaw]

I don't want the classic 4001/4003 to 'go away' or be 'improved'. I like the carried forward idiosyncrasies and think they contribute to the sound and overall brand image of rickenbacker. I'm glad the company is stretching...but also scared for the future of the 4003.

I have to politely disagree. I always saw a problem with the huge gap between the 4003 that was "immutable" and the 4004 which attempted to be as modern, sleek, contoured etc. as possible

Yeah that's a good point. again, as long as they don't 'ruin' the 4003/4001 with innovation, I'm very happy to see them trying new things and building the best basses they can

[lumgimfong]

I like the 4004 basses. Don’t give up on them. I plan to get one for my next bass. They do cost alot of money so I can see why they might not sell so much.

[byoung]

Thanks for the info Ben! I am not even a 5 string player but want one in matte black and cant wait to hear it.

[sloop_john_b]

4004? Nobody orders those.

LOL

[Kiddwad57]

Bet they're fun to play! Now for an FL version. I'll take mine in walnut (with a rosewood board). Re: the classic models; I doubt that RIC will abandon their big sellers any time soon.

[songdog]

The folks that have seen and got the opportunity to plug and play one of these in here at NAMM have unanimously LOVED it. Yeah, the pickups are different, but that's because they are functional in as far as there is a larger aperture for the low B.

Form follows function. Sometimes when the perfect form for the function is achieved, it reveals a special kind of beauty. When I first saw a picture of the new 4003S/5, the pickups drew my attention right away. Yes, they're different, but somehow they just looked right to me. I'm hoping to hear some really good demo recordings, with a variety of strings, control settings and playing styles!

A couple things I'd like to see... how about a new model number, and a series of basses in the new range? 4-string, "S" and deluxe trim (checkerboard binding would be a nice touch), walnut, black trim? The new pickups and bridge, of course. And... why not a chrome surround for the bridge pickup? That's an important design element of the 4001/4003, and to me that would better evoke the feeling of continuity between old and new.

[aceonbass]

I'm sure this pickup can be placed on the traditional 4003 bridge pickup apparatus, and the bass routed to accommodate it, although the whole assembly will be located a bit closer to the bridge. In fact that may be what I do when I get one, but I'll have to spend some time with the bass as is before I take my Ryobi plunge router to it...

[cassius987]

Like it or not... it's going to happen.

I'm really digging the design of the pickups; I'd even like to see their equivalent on a 4-string model. And the Schaller bridge looks great with the 4003S body style.

I just need to decide which finish to order!

[deaconblues]

I love it. Great job Rickenbacker.

[squirebass]

Change always seems to ruffle a few feathers, and it's very obvious to me that there's new blood and energy in the RIC management regime.
I salute the innovative thinking and new offerings from Rickenbacker, even if I am an old fart who started playing in the early '70s when most basses were 4 stringers. I'm enjoying the hell outta my Wilder-ized v63 (which was rescued from a S-D pickup, missing parts, and some ****** care and wiring) and my 4003S models these days but its clear that Ben has some new ideas that I hope to someday catch up to. Between this new 5 string stuff, the new pickup, and the various offerings of basses in new colors, with checkerboard bindings and matte finishes, there's a lot of energy emerging from RIC in recent months. Blaze that new trail, Ben!

[rowboat]

OMG WOW!
Well done Rickenbacker.

Keep in mind the best artists always have critics.
If you hear crickets, then be worried.

Just like I said with 1993+, keep those changes rolling.
I wonder if Mr Ball is admiring this release.