Does today's 4003s sound different than today's 4003?

[lumgimfong]

Not talking olden days just production models today.
I am guessing they are the same instrument just with cosmetic diffs but sounding the same.
How are yours?
I have a 4003 but thinking of getting a 4003s cuz the rolled edges will be more comfortable.

[rickenbrother]

I've never actually A/B-ed them but I doubt they sound any different than the usual subtle differences between several of the same model of any instrument. If people were blindfolded in a listening test between my 4001's and 4001S, they'd have a hard time guessing the right one.

[bassduke49]

Every bass is going to sound a bit different from any other bass. There are SO MANY variables at play, especially on what we hear on a recording or during a live performance. Consider: Wood - species, density, thickness, humidity, temperature. Strings: Flat wound, round wound, something-in-between wound, gauge, tension, wire alloy, temperature. Electronics: Quality of the parts, winds in the bobbin, size and strength of the magnetic field. Assembly: Positioning of pickups, distance between pickups and strings, volume and tone pot values, capacitor values, shielding, soldered joints, performance of the switches and outputs. Amplification: Don't get me started. Recordings: Way too many more variables. Technique: What you can coax out of your bass is more influenced by your fingers than by the hardware. Your hearing: I can't even assess MY hearing! Don't forget, the 1964 "4001S" that McCartney played sounded completely different from the 1964 "4001S (RM-1999) that Chris Squire played.

[Isaac]

All true, Paul, but I think the question was assuming the same species of wood (both the 4003 and the 4003S are made of maple, after all) approximately the same amount of aging, nominally the same pickups, same strings, nominally the same value electrical components. Of course, there will be variations in all of those components, but those ought to average out. The consistent differences will be in the binding/lack of binding, body contour, wiring (RIC-O-SOUND vs mono) and dot vs shark tooth markers.

Will any of those things make a difference in the sound? I am of the opinion that everything affects everything else, but I am also inclined to think that, in this case, the differences will be imperceptible, that there will be no 4003 sound that differs noticeably from the 4003S sound.

[Korladis]

The only sound difference really is that there's no stereo option on the 4003S.

Aside from that a 4003S won't sound any more different from a 4003 than another 4003 would.

[ram]

I actually made my 2000 4003s5 ROS compatible. I couldn't hear any difference live or recorded between the two versions.

[henry5]

Not talking olden days just production models today.
I am guessing they are the same instrument just with cosmetic diffs but sounding the same.
How are yours?
I have a 4003 but thinking of getting a 4003s cuz the rolled edges will be more comfortable.

My advice would be to check the particular instrument you’re planning to purchase to make sure you like it, as every instrument will be slightly different. I’ve played Rics I’ve liked and Rics I really haven’t where you wouldn’t expect to notice much difference at all.

[OneWay]

I played both new 2023 4003 and 4003s models when I bought my 4003. There was no difference in the sound. I chose the 4003 because I find the side fret marker dots easier to see with the bound neck plus I find the 4003 very comfortable to play. Glad we have choices for our individual preferences .