Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

antipodean wrote:I believe that Philip Kubicki did a lot of experimentation and believes that a less massive headstock on a full scale bass helps eliminate dead spots. He also uses an ultra-stiff multi-laminate structure for the neck on his basses.

I have a Kubicki Ex-Factor with the laminate neck, and there's definitely a dead spot at the 7th "D" fret of the G string.
In my experience, every bass has had some sort of dead spot where the note's frequency gets absorbed by the bass - the variable is where it's located and the extent of the "deadness". While the G string "D" seems to be the most common dead spot over a wide range of basses, I find Rickenbackers usually exhibit this issue between the 3rd and 6th fret of the G string. This will also show up on the D string between the 8th and 11th frets (since its the same frequency). Like Jeff, I had the best experience with a graphite neck bass (a Modulus), but the dead spot was still there, albeit much reduced.

has anyone from RIC weighed in on this? i mean, sure, they don't owe anyone an explanation but it would be interesting to know why the change occurred so quickly.

I'm still not convinced there has actually been a change. I'll find out for myself in a handful of hours.

cassius987 wrote:I'm still not convinced there has actually been a change. I'll find out for myself in a handful of hours.

ummm, ok.

The proof is in the pudding.

Pudding = neck measurements.

bobcat wrote:The proof is in the pudding.

Pudding = neck measurements.

Quote of the year?

And the proof is also in the hands of those of us who have felt the difference in the 2 necks.

Yeah but hands that have felt necks aren't pudding.

Seriously, why would I get a thin neck (it's nearly as thin as my 2008 FL and equally thin to my 2007 4003), and Paul as well apparently, if they are already pumping out new "thick" necks? Are they variably using 2008 stock? Whatever the case I love my 2009.

It could even be stock from 07 stamped as 09. But I know what I've played and the 2 09s were noticeably larger than the 3 08s that I played. The headstocks were a little more bulbous on the 09s as well. I'm sure JH or any others from Ric will not comment on it...too bad.

I haven't played one and so can't comment on the neck feel.
Re. headstocks. Not the most conclusive evidence, but there does appear to be be a slight difference?
FG 08 FG 09 MG 08 MG 09

...and a "proper" bulbous 07 BBR for comparison.

BBR 07

I have a 4003 from 2002, and the neck is "chunkier" than my 1974 4000, which has a think neck and plays real fast. Having said that, I really like how the 4003 plays. Anyone know if the 2009s are like my 2002, or somewhere in between?

Anything made after 2006 is almost without a doubt thinner than your 2002, from what I hear. I had a 2004--very, very briefly--and I thought the neck on it felt just fine, but admittedly it wasn't a "fast" neck.

The Sam Ash here has a 2009 and the neck looks like a baseball bat. Admitted, I haven't been able to get my hands on it as they have it behind glass. After work today, maybe I'll convince them to let me take 'er for a test spin.

Here's a photo of my old '04 Blueboy for comparison. It had a very chunky, ( but very stable) neck.