Chunky necks...

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Thu Mar 03, 2005 11:48 am

I'm not sure what all the fuss is about the new necks but i will say one thing. I had several new American Jazz Deluxes 3 or 4 years ago. I put Med gauge Fender flats on one of them and sets on a new a new 4003, the Fender neck (which was reinforced with graphite) bent more than the Ric did and needed more adjustment of the truss rod than the Ric did. In fact I didn't feel safe leaving Fender strings on a Fender bass believe it or not, the scale is a little longer on a Fender but not that much longer to have made the difference I saw between the basses.

jblakey · Post by **jblakey** » Thu Mar 03, 2005 1:02 pm

Ken.. I remember the Mayday sales! and standing in line all night!!!!! The first guy in line undoubtedly camped out for a couple days I guess. My last time there was probably in the late eighties. Venemans Rockville was IT for a while, never liked Levins for some reason. Springfield was okay, I remember quite a row of Ricks (split guard 4003's) ..too bad about the fire though, probably alot of merch up in smoke.

ken_swearingen · Post by **ken_swearingen** » Thu Mar 03, 2005 1:03 pm

no comment.

ken_swearingen · Post by **ken_swearingen** » Thu Mar 03, 2005 1:11 pm

jay I'm sorry we posted at the same time i meant i wasn't going to talk chunky necks again.yea i remember that.Ted venimen used to cater to most of the bands at the capital center free strings whatever you never knew who was coming in Getty lee ,Neil Shaun,Steve Perry , AL Dimiola....

paul_yan · Post by **paul_yan** » Thu Mar 03, 2005 1:41 pm

I totally agree with Dave that "neck movement -- not neck problems -- is mostly just variable with individual pieces of wood."

The neck of my '98 4003 is wider and thicker than that of my Shadow. However, the '98 neck moves more with temperature and humidity changes. So I humbly think that chunky necks don't necessarily guarantee less neck problems.

Necks of post-2001 4003 basses are just too chunky for me and most of my bass playing friends.

jps · Post by **jps** » Thu Mar 03, 2005 2:52 pm

"..too bad about the fire though, probably alot of merch up in smoke"

"no comment"

Someone call the Fire Marshall!

jnbass · Post by **jnbass** » Thu Mar 03, 2005 5:07 pm

Jim Marshall?

ken_swearingen · Post by **ken_swearingen** » Thu Mar 03, 2005 6:33 pm

I meant no comment to Bob's post because before that i said i wasn't going to say anything else about chunky necks ,'what timing ,ill take a polygraph i didn't Even know they had a fire.

dean712 · Post by **dean712** » Thu Mar 03, 2005 6:57 pm

My Ric 4003's are model years '94, '99, '00, and '03. I did notice a big difference in the headstock and body proportions between the '94 and the '99 (along with strap buttons), but I haven't noticed any neck differences. Could just be me not being perceptive, though. Going from one Ric to another is not as shocking an experience as going from a Ric to a StingRay, for example. And, my '94 is retired due to busted mono output jack and fret wear, and I really haven't played it in 5+ years (I play hard and used to use Rotosounds, which sounded great, but ate up my frets - long story, but a new Ric was preferable to a fret job and other repairs when I didn't know anyone local to do that).

I love all of my Ric's. Each is a little different, but all are great.

gregson1 · Post by **gregson1** » Thu Mar 03, 2005 11:04 pm

It took awhile, but I've decided I like my new chunky-necked Rick. Seems to help keep my left hand in better form.

I brought this bass--the Blueburst 4003--into the local GC the other day and let the store manager play it. He's an accomplished bass player, normally plays a jazz bass, but he really enjoyed playing the 4003. The neck wasn't an issue for him at all. Maybe I'll convert him, yet.

BTW, the color really drew some attention. Everyone who saw it commented favorably.

jps · Post by **jps** » Fri Mar 04, 2005 3:14 am

"ill take a polygraph i didn't Even know they had a fire"

lshaia · Post by **lshaia** » Fri Mar 04, 2005 3:56 am

My '80 4001 and my '02 4003 both have really chunky necks, my '77 4001 has a slim neck as does my '99 V63, which of course has no binding so it may be a bit misleading.

Dean, I've used the Rock Shop in Springfield for basic set up stuff and they did fine, they shouldn't have any problem replacing a jack. Lately I've been taking my Rics to David Piggot at Linda's Music in Decatur, no major work, but he's very knowledgeable (and opinionated) about Rics (Linda's is the closest Ric dealer to us, I believe). Be forewarned, though, he's not the fastest guy in the world. I don't know about frets, if you find someone please let me know.

If I'm ever allowed out of the house to catch your band I'd like to chat more about this.

dean712 · Post by **dean712** » Fri Mar 04, 2005 6:35 am

Linday, thanks for the tip on the Rock Shop. I may use them. I have used the Luthier Shoppe before, but they are remarkably slow.

It would be great to meet up with you if you get the chance to come out. Thanks again!

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Fri Mar 04, 2005 12:20 pm

You want to try a chunky neck? Go play an upright, every Ric in the world will then seem ultra slim after that and hopefully everyone will stop whining about them.

gregson1 · Post by **gregson1** » Fri Mar 04, 2005 4:10 pm

Been there, but still feel the need to whine.

It was a real handful to play, for sure. Plan to pick it up again someday.