'09 4003 Necks - Slim is out?

[MapleRick]

I just got my 2009 4003MG a few days ago. It was shipped to me in Ottawa after someone who had ordered it from Long & McQuade in Edmonton turned it down because he thought the neck was a baseball bat. While it is a bit on beefy side I find it quite comfortable to play. Can't say whether it's fatter or slimmer than previous years however, since this is the first Ric bass I have ever laid hands on.

[ivan]

Is it just possible that there are just a few older profile necks are just working their way through the system? Kind of like the Walnut ear situation? Just a pure guess.

I don't think that's the case. I've had two 4003: one 1997 MG and one 2000 JG; both had the exact neck profile - supposedly already from the "thick era". Before I went to the store to pick up my new 2009 4003, though, I've measured the neck of my 1997, and, when in the store, compared with the thickness of the 4003 from 2009: it was WAY thicker than my 1997's. I really don't understand this, for everybody was talking about how the new 4003 were the best ones ever (regarding the neck profile). It was a shame, really, because the bass was otherwise VERY nice: it looked gorgeous (love the walnut wings and the full-width inlays) and it sounded amazingly. Result: I got home bass-less.

[rickaddict]

Guys-

Use your measuring tape and post your results to the old "Measure Your Girth" thread. John A will post them to his spreadsheet. I guarantee you that they won't be as small as the necks made in the 70's and 80's. They might be comfortable for some, might not be for others...but really, the only way to truly compare is with the measuring tape.

The tape doesn't lie!

They're still all great basses by the way. And more likely to be stable with a chunkier neck I agree.

But for me, the necks I prefer are usually those made from around 1992 and earlier.

[weemac]

But for me, the necks I prefer are usually those made from around 1992 and earlier.

The 1992 necks were a lot like the 60s necks (at least mine was...)

Eden.

[MapleRick]

The girth on my 2009 4003MG' neck, at the 12th fret using the "match 2 marks on paper wrapped snugly around & under the strings" method is 5&3/8" exactly

[rickaddict]

But for me, the necks I prefer are usually those made from around 1992 and earlier.

The 1992 necks were a lot like the 60s necks (at least mine was...)

Eden.

Cool! I think they're close enough for me anyway. And they can take the strings I like to use.

[rickaddict]

The girth on my 2009 4003MG' neck, at the 12th fret using the "match 2 marks on paper wrapped snugly around & under the strings" method is 5&3/8" exactly

Hi Ian. The method that we all used to measure was to use a vinyl tape measure (or some used a string and then stretched it out on top of a ruler) just in front of the first, third, and twelfth frets. Wrap it all the way around tight and post your results to the "Measure Your Girth" thread in millimeters.

Cheers!

[cjj]

I'd forgotten about the measurement thread...

Your 5.375" is 13.653cm on your 2009
my '84 is 13.329 at the 12th, 11.965 at 3rd, 11.679 at 1st
my '76 is 13.203 at the 12th, 11.653 at 3rd, 11.139 at 1st

Your 2009 is definitely bigger than my 84 or 76.

I'm posting the full info on the Measure your Girth thread...

[phlemmy]

I don't think they have ever truly gotten as slim as the old vintage basses, CJ. I've heard lots of conflicting reports about this. They may feel as comfy, but I really doubt they've gotten as slim--some measurements would be nice!

My 2007 and 2008 are EXACTLY the same thinness (I measured) and I predict that 2009s are going to remain this same thinness. It doesn't make sense that they would re-thicken the necks at this stage. If they have I'd like some explanation as to why.

The 2008s I played were much slimmer than the 2007 models. The new 2009s I saw were like the 2007s. I think it may be a few stragglers working their way through the system. If 2008 was just a fluke for the slimmer necks and smaller headstocks, it's a shame in my opinion.

[jps]

If 2008 was just a fluke for the slimmer necks and smaller headstocks, it's a shame in my opinion.

If so, I am very happy I got what I did.

[MattB]

A few weeks ago I took a trip specifically to try a new FG (SN was Jan of 09) but the neck was simply too chunky for me. I compared it to two '08 MIDs they had in stock, both of which had noticeably thinner necks. Salesman realized I was a nut for going back and forth, measuring neck widths with a flexible tape measure. I only looked at the 12th fret, but the MIDs measured 13.1 to 13.2. The '09 FG was about 13.7 - quite close to 13.8 on the '06 AFG which I also did not find comfortable. All are thicker than the 12.8mm on my 1980 4001. This is why I am now playing (and loving) an '08 MID!

And yes I will submit full measurements for the database...

[ko stradivarius]

Having not played a Ric bass since 1993 when I had an '89 JG, a '90 custom all black fretless, a '79MG, and a '75(Walnut). I had to sell them in order to move to planet California.
I went and checked out a 2009 spec bass at a local shop yesterday.
I really really really wanted to go home with a new Ric but couldn't get over how thick the neck was. Yes, after not playing one all those years I immediately felt the difference. I am soooooo bummed out right now.
Needless to say I am still Ric-less for the moment ....but maybe not too long.
What gives? Why would they muck it up?

[rokkitt]

I might have these measurements wrong, ---as the neck felt thicker! and, after playing the 2009, I played my 88, and the 88 felt noticeably thinner

these are the 2009 measurements, in mm, and it is the first time I tried to measure a neck. I could be off a little.

1st -- 117 mm
3rd -- 122mm
5th -- 127 mm
7th -- didnt measure
12th -- 141 mm (wow!)
16th -- didnt measure

serial number 09-03518

so, it seems like a pretty thick neck.

[lucky]

How close to the 60's necks are the one's around 1992.I own an Oct '92 4003 & I love it,for me it is still the bass i judge others by.Could it be as simple as some have said that Ric are using what necks they have at the moment,to try and get some of the backlog shifted.

[teeder]

My '92 V63 has a great neck, but it's still not as small as my '69 4001S. That may not be a fair comparison though, because that '69 has the smallest neck of any bass I've played.