Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I would say that if the same measuring instrument is used by the same guy then there would be basis for comparison.

This of course in no ways diminishes the efforts made previously by our forum members. It just illustrates the need for a "control" in the equation.

IMHO

Jared, that is a good point. I guess if I were measuring them I would use a caliper as opposed to a scale. That would take the human factor out. If you look at Erik's measurements they were done by one person and I would assume with the same method of measuring. I don't think that the factory, at least before CNC, may have built to as tight of a tolerance. Especially over the years these sizes may have drifted, or between different builders. IMO

My 2001 and 2002 4003 measure identical to my 1968 4001 at the nut and 20th fret ...

It feels good in my hands. Thats all I care about!

Good point Steve, that's the problem with considering something on eBay that you can't actually play first. I'm trying to be more selective when I'm doing this sort of thing!

Keep in mind that I measured at the 12th fret. That's the critical measurement for me.

If it's 2 1/4" at the 12th fret like the one I measured -- and Blueflamerick's 2030s measure the same -- then it's as wide there as a Precision. That means it's too wide for my left hand to be comfortable playing in the upper registers.

I know Docbass feels the same way about width in the upper register, that's why I brought it up. I've seen 2 more in the past year, can't remember if they were 2020 or 2030 but they felt just as wide as the one I measured.

I can see YOUR point, Doc, about wanting to know because you haven't played one and want to know how it stacks up, but there seems to be a lot of additional measuring going on here (wink), and when people are debating a 1/16" of an inch...it's not something you're going to notice either way, I dont think.

Well, I'm with Dave, most of the basses i've kept over the years have narrow nuts and slim, less flared necks all the way up (4003, Hofner, Les Paul Triumph). 30" scale too is even better and is my preference.

The one real down side to the 2000 and 3000 series basses IMO is their lack of stying compared to the 4000s. I think I'm just gonna stick to the 4003 for now, the 2030 neck sounds good, but I'd rather play one before I buy.

the neck can be smaller or larger by 1/16" in a sweep of 180 degrees ... that's like the difference between a p-bass neck and a jazz bass neck ...

when people are debating a 1/16" of an inch...it's not something you're going to notice either way, I dont think.

I was talking about 1/8", but in either case I couldn't disagree with you more. Little differences are very noticeable and can even make the difference between easily playable and almost unplayable.

If you want a great example of how much difference 1/8" can make, try playing a 660/12 followed by a 620/12.

In my case, the width at the nut is less critical than the width at the 12th fret and the string spacing at the bridge. That's why I find a 4003 much easier to play than a Fender Jazz.

Dave couldn't have said it better. I gave up on my j and p basses cuz of the width of the upper half of the neck. Yeah, folks were telling (teasing) me to not play up there, but geez, why not?

I've always wondered, why did Fender decide to flare the tops of their bass necks by an 1" or so (compared to the nut) and others makers did not? It never has made sense to me, especially with the ease of play I find on a 4003 or my other non-Fender basses.

And I too agree that 1/16 to 1/8" can make a big difference to some folks. Not for everyone, but for me, the width and depth of a bass neck is important and will make or break my decision to buy, keep and play it.

I figure if there are frets all the way up and down the neck then I am supposed to use them ... I play from low B to high e flat ...

Also I had a Fender Jazz V ... that neck was so wide at the 14th fret that your kids could use it for soccer practice ... it was like playing an upright bass ...

Jeff, I can remember the same on mine too, you could turn it on its side and use it for a Bbq table. !!

I think the bassic Fender neck design was inspired by the paddles they used on viking ships.

I've never played a fender 5 string that was not sub-standard ... that's why I built my own p-bass ans jazz bass 5 stringers ... plus it was good to learn and make my mistakes on those basses and not on Rics ... also the fender artist basses are sub-standard as well ...