Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Got one.

Please don't cover any of THAT wood with a piece o plastic!

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.........Crazy Flame Glo bass...

Scott, with a handle like Cheyenne, that was a given!

This may be a silly question, but how much different would a 4004 with high-gain pickups be from a 4003(S)? All the dimensions listed on the webpage are the same and both have maple necks and bodies. Are the necks that much different?

Yes. The 4004 has a little bit wider neck face but is thinner front to back. My '95 4004C neck is a lot easier to get around on than my '04 4003.

I thought you sold that, Scott?

My favorite RIC is a 4003S and my favorite pickups are HB1's. A 4004 is almost the perfect blend of these two elements, especially since they don't make a 4003S anymore. I also like the bridge on the 4004 a lot more.

John: Yeah, I know, the guard looks a little short, but that's because the two pictures that were used were at slightly different angles, so, while the 4004 was head-on, the 4003 that the pickguard was taken from was tilted back. At one point, I altered it in MSPaint (because that is the extent of my graphical abilities), but I lost the picture when I had to replace my hard drive several months ago. I'll probably redo it, just to make it look more "normal".

But yeah . . . 4004 body contours, walnut headstock wings, and a gorgeous pickguard . . . mmmmmmmmmm.

John - I like that 4003 with the HB in the bridge position! I'm not a fan of the 4003's bridge pickup "assembly", (especially the cover which I immediately remove). As far as the 4004 goes, I like the idea of a pickguard. I've always thought it looked a little bare.

Ray,,dont be silly.

Jeff. The deal is pending, I am a very patient man.

By the way Jeff, do you ever miss yours?

It's getting close to the one year anniversary of when I got Jeff's 4004 Cii via Chris Pappas in May 06. This bass has gone through some significant changes since his ownership but still retains the Hipshot tuners, VVT pots and V63 TRC.

I think Jeff sold it because the neck was a little too thick for him and if that's true I highly recommend trying a Laredo. The Laredo necks are so much thinner, they have the same feel as my 73 4001's but with a slightly wider fretboard.

To answer Ryan's question: the 4004 with Higains would still likely sound bassier than a 4003 due to the different pickup locations.
I'm think someone's tried this combination, but I can't remember for sure.

"By the way Jeff, do you ever miss yours?"

I do sometimes, but Mark's answer was why I sold it. A JG Laredo would be nice if the neck feels like my '73 4001 or '98 4001V63. Maybe I will have the chance to play one at MARF II.

I love the 4004 neck ... it is perfect for 5 strings ... I am thinking I want to get another 4004 to convert 4-2-5 ... I am thinking of putting in 2 high gains converted to toasters and wiring it vvt ...