So I just got my first 4003..

[cassius987]

and it's hard to see "Jap" as being anything other than an abbreviation.

J.

The way it gets used in the U.S. by many WW2 remembers, it definitely is pejorative. There are a lot of bitter sentiments over here towards the Japanese regime during the '40s, albeit these sentiments are now mostly confined to a minority and most people simply see WW2 as another unfortunate phase of history.

[Mr.Mow]

Ok.. so I did some comparisons last night.. in my mind I was thinking 'oh the Ric has very hot pickups'..

So, back to back I played my 4003, my Japanese copy and my 59RI PBass.

The Pbass surprisingly was by far the hottest of the lot, I mean I had to turn the volume down on the amp, wasn't expecting that.. I thought the Ric would by far be the hottest.
The copy was easily the lowest output but the glassiest sounding. The PBass just spanked AND thumped.. The Ric.. well.. it just sounded muddy and muffled and not as 'hot' as I thought it would be. I think the easiest way to describe the ric.. It sounds 'constipated', like a blanket is over it and it needs to burst out, like the strings are really dead (fairly new strings)..

And I'm playing through a 2X10 so top end should be no problem.. I'm completely perplexed..

[jps]

You need to get together with Darren and get that straightened out.

[cassius987]

If your Fenders are hotter than your Ric, something is VERY wrong. My Rics are the hottest things I have seen out of the box.

I'm sorry you're experiencing this but I don't know what to tell you. I had the same problem with my "first" Ric, a 2003 Mapleglo that I immediately returned. It SUCKED but I still can't account for why.

[Mr. Meaty]

Some got and some .... well.... just dont got it