Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Jeff, I can't tell you how disappointed I was with sound of the '81 4003 (I went through 2 of them actually) The first one was a complete nightmare as soon as it was unpacked from the box, the second one looked much better, didn't sound any better, and the finish started peeling off the back just after a year...and no one is more careful with there gear than I am.
I like 4003 basses from 1986 to the ones presently made, the newest ones are probably the best of the 4001 / 4003 basses RIC has ever made.

I traded a '62 Fender Jazz Bass for a 73 4001. I just read that the Fender is now worth about $5,000, and the Ric is worth about $1,700.

Traded an AzureGlo 4003S for a #^$$@# Charvel-Jackson 80's looking/no character bass...double D'oh

These stories just re-inforce my person policy of NEVER getting rid of a guitar on purpose.

The only guitar I lost was a nice $30 garage sale acquired calssical guitar (don't even think it had a brand name label) that I lent to a friend in college. The friend got busted, and his roommates stole all his stuff, including my guitar...and I never was able to find either of those two SOB's. Would have been a nice addition to my collection (I still don't have a replacement nylon string classical), but I suppose things could have been worse. I might have been at they guys apartment when the police arrived and been dragged into the situation worse than a missing $30 guitar.

Joey- I didn't know that the early 4003's had any problems, but it sounds like you found two of them. I would also prefer the post 1986 4003!

Dennis- OUCH. That that one hurt! That's one you might want to keep to yourself!!

Looks like I'm going to have to part with 2 basses to pay for my newly acquired (last night!!!) '69 4001.

One of my favourite Ric finishes is autumn-glo and my '76 AG will be on the block, along with my '69 Fender Tele Bass. I don't want to let them go but I have to prioritize. I just paid off my 4002 and a custom made Marchlewski is on the courier truck making it's way here from Florida to Toronto so I can't in any good conscience go out of pocket on another bass. DARN!!! But I suppose that out of the ones that will thin the herd, the '76 4001 and the '69 Tele Bass will hopefully be the easiest to replace "down the road".

Unless of course something better comes along!

Asinine trading 101 by the board's dumber Bob (me)....

Topic 1- idiot needs louder stage amp, has little cash, swaps Ampeg B-12 for Peavey TNT 160. (Chances are this one's reversible...)

Topic 2- Having never heard of boards like this, same idiot decides that he needs more bottom-end and tone-shaping from his bass but still has little cash flow, so off goes '81 4003 for '03 Spector 4. Grown to love Stewie... still hating myself for loss of Rickenbacker. (about as reversible as 2004 presidential election.)

Moral for class today... don't ever trade your gear. Ever. Self-loathing is a tough pill to swallow.

Dave, congrats on the 69. I didn't know you had a 4002. What year, and finish? Any pics?

Hey Bob, it's a '78 MG. Here are a couple of pix...

Y'know, now that I've got 2 MGs I might consider trading the 4002 MG for the a sunburst 4002 just so I have 2 different finishes. *smirk* *kidding*

That was sooooo cruel....LOL!!

Bob get a new 4003, put flatwounds on it, you'll have bottom all day. I use them for blues sometimes. Nuff said.

Wow, I thought I was lucky. A sweet looking for 4002 and a 69 4001. Lucky guy. I like the walnut finish a little better, but yours is in better shape than mine.

Bob, did I tell you about my '66 FG 4005? Sorry, I couldn't resist!!! BTW, the 4005 has been refinished so it's the only Ric I have that isn't all original.

Don't get me wrong, I know that I've been the absolute luckiest Ric afficiando (other than Chris Pappas) this last year with the 4002 and the '69 4001 falling into my lap. Hopefully I can help out someone else in the forum if that '72 JG comes through because there's no way my wife will let me pay for another guitar this year!

FYI, my 4002 isn't in perfect shape, I'd probably give it a 8.5 out of 10. It was shipped from Texas to Toronto in the middle of winter so unfortunately it caused some minor finish checking on top of some minor wear that was already there. But, what a wonderful bass!!!

Smarter Bob...

I've learned enough from you gentlemen here on this board in my short time here to be able to kick my self squarely for 5 years. If I knew then what I know now...

I never tried flats before... I assure you I plan on it whenever I find the bass I'm looking for!

Congrats on your new bass... funny thing is I think you bought that within 20 minutes of me posting the listing!

Chris Antosy,
That '62 Jazz Bass is worth a LOT more $5000.00!