Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

My 92' 4003 neck feels a lot like my mate's 70's 4001.Yet another friend has a 01' 4003 and the neck on that feels clubby.

Peter,

Shame on you that you don’t gig that outrageously gorgeous ’71. I can understand why though.

I have owned/own a ’74 and an’80 4001. They have quite similar thinnish necks, enough round profile to make it feel that you are playing a bass and not a ruler!

I also have my V63 prototype from March ’84. This is a very different beast. In comparison to my 4001’s it has a much thicker neck, more sustain, heavier weight, and more vintage sounding than the other two. Also with all of its ‘furniture’ like the horseshoe it really is a different playing experience.

In a few days time I am receiving my ‘new’ ’78 4001 burg. I have no idea what the neck will be like, but I hope it is like my other two 4001’s.

As my V63 is essentially a modded 4003 I would certainly try before you buy, IMHO it is different enough not to just take a leap of faith.

All the best, Bob

"If you really want thin though, you have to get a '60s 4005."

Jeff, I had really warmed to you untill that comment....

(just envious as hell)

The C64 has a very slim neck.
My V63's (99', 00')have chunky necks but I like them like that.

For the 4003, it seems that the neck changed to the current chunky neck around 2002. My 4003S/5 is an '03 and it has the chunky neck. It took a few days but I have gotten used to it. At first it seemed so huge. Compared with my '63 it was like grabbing the big end of a baseball bat. In contrast, my '98 4003S/8 has a thin neck that is more like my 70's Ricks.

Gosh! All that has got my head spinning.

Bob, you know the history of my lefty '71, how could I risk damaging a museum piece? The first time that I clouted a cymbal with the headstock I would cry myself to sleep for a week!!! So I need a working bass with a slim neck that I can get my dainty paws around! Not an easy thing to find when you are a lefty!

Jeff, I have been searching for 35 years and haven't found a (the?) lefty 4005 yet. I bet Scott Jennings knows where it is though!

"So I need a working bass with a slim neck that I can get my dainty paws around! Not an easy thing to find when you are a lefty!"

Peter,

For a good compromise between vintage mojo and affordability I would follow my fine example..))))

I am just about to get my third 4001 with 1" spacing. You can pick up a decent '77 - '80 for about £750.00.

Not too valuable to gig with, but still feels good on the neck and has enough old school vibe to feel cool with. IMHO a few small dings makes the bass look better anyway!

Bob

I have three 4001's and 3 4003's, and they are all different and have owned at least 20 in my life. The only ones that have the really thin necks are the early 70's basses with the Grovers and small headstocks and earlier basses (60's). All the rest have the rounded necks and vary somewhat. But If I bring both a 4001 and a new 4003 to a gig, the 4001 gets left in the case every time, the new ones sound so much better, louder and fuller.

As I had said in my prior post, my '84 4003S has a chunky neck, so I think that rules out the debate regarding the chunky necks showing up around 02 and current. I also have a friend with a 4001S with the same neck profile as my 4003S. I've also played a 73 4001 and then immediately played my 83 4003 right after and found no difference in neck shape. I've also compared my friend's '04 4003FGVP to my 83 4003 and found it to be mildly, and I mean mildly different in neck shape. Body shape, now that's a completely different debate.

Peter, there's a lefty V63 Mapleglo on British eBay right now, but it's "Buy it Now" only:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=2384&item=7330554342&rd=1

I believe the V63s have slim necks, but others here can confirm that.

IMHO the comments regarding the 4003 neck are well OTT - I have a 2003 4003 & the neck fits in my paw as comfortable as you like !! Each to their own

Paul,
The neck on my 92-v63, is a little slimmer than my 97 4003, that said they're both great necks for me.

Paul, I have seen the Musicground v63 that is for sale @ £1700 (over $3k). I daren't say it but I have one of these already! It too is a minter. What I need is (as Bob says) a mid '70s working bass in original condition for £750... Now where will I find one??? A lefty of course!

Buy my Shadow....it is an '86 with as slim a nice slim neck as you'll find out there....

Nolan: Is yours chunky like the new ones are chunky? The current necks are the biggest I have ever seen on Ricks. I have been playing Ricks since the mid 70's and the newer ones came as quite a surprise to me.