Interesting RIC Tease!

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Thu Jun 29, 2006 7:50 pm

Damn! I JUST missed the new neck profile.

bob_atherton · Post by **bob_atherton** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 12:49 am

Gosh, what an incredible day..!

Yesterday I got married to Debs. Without question it was the most special and emotional day of my life.

I wake this morning to find that the neck profile on 4003’s is to be slimmed down. The bottom line is that I will be ordering a brand new bass. The last time I bought a new Rickenbacker was in 1974. For many reasons I have not been quite so switched on by the 4003, until now…

The combination of headstock size, walnut wings, narrower horns, vintage switching, strengthened and now slimmer neck has won the day.

When we get back from our honeymoon of two weeks walking around the mountains of northern Spain I will order the bass.

It will be a Vintage Fireglo with a toaster at the neck. I didn’t think that this year could get any more special for me, but thank you John & Ben for listening to your loyal customers. I’m sure I will not be the only one ordering a new RIC in the near future.

anoukane · Post by **anoukane** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 1:13 am

Congratulations Bob!

atomic_punk · Post by **atomic_punk** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 4:36 am

I predict a lot of recent vintage 4003's hitting the 'Bay in anticipation of the arrival of the thinner necked new Ricks.

s4001 · Post by **s4001** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 4:37 am

Not mine. It already has the thin neck.

anoukane · Post by **anoukane** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 4:41 am

When will the thinner necks for sale? When we can lay our hands on it? In two years??

bob_atherton · Post by **bob_atherton** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 5:31 am

Well, I have just placed an order for one!!!

I understand that there is a lead in of 12 - 18 months...!

Lucky I have a very nice '72 to see me through.

Amber Fireglo, toaster, new neck profile, mmmmm...

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 5:50 am

Too cool Bob! Congrats on your marriage and your new Rick.

86kubicki · Post by **86kubicki** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 6:24 am

If RIC is changing the neck profile now, then any bass you order, (or have had on order, but is not yet produced), should have the thinner neck.

geddeeee · Post by **geddeeee** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 12:46 pm

I'm sticking with my '04 Monty Brown. It may have a chunkier neck (my hands aren't big either) but I like it. It's fast and has my personality burned into it now. And the Rick's personality is burned into mine too....

s4001 · Post by **s4001** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 2:09 pm

Also is the change (more or less) permanent?

aceonbass · Post by **aceonbass** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 2:15 pm

I've already hand-sanded the neck down on my 4003CS project, it will have jarrah headstock wings, a jarrah 21 fret dot fingerboard,the push-pull tone selector and a 5-control harness. I wont have to wait for the new basses.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 3:26 pm

I like the existing necks ... they hold 5 strings quite nicely ...

geddeeee · Post by **geddeeee** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 4:17 pm

You would say that Jeff.... LOL!

bobcat · Post by **bobcat** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 5:46 pm

Thinner neck does not necessarily mean that it won't hold 5 strings . . . have you tried making a C64 4-2-5?