Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I agree, Brian. I previously owned a 4004L/FG that was actually a pretty nice bass, but I had that "chunky neck" mindset and got rid of it only a few weeks after receiving it. I regret selling it very much...so.....that's why I've ordered a 4004cii/BBR from Mike Parks. Baseball bat or not, I WILL get used to it and like it!! I just didn't give the other a real chance.......live and learn, I guess...

I PREFER the narrower necks, but that chunkier neck isn't all that bad. I probably could snap either one in half, given the right song...

You will get used to it Chris so persevere when you get that 4004CII.

When I got my MB4003 about a year ago I struggled so I decided to sell it and got a Stingray.....Luckily I went back to the 4003 and despite having small hands I really love the feel of the neck...I still love my Stingray as well, but the Ric gets more playing time now

(I don't see how you can possibly infer that.)

I recently bought an '05 4003 and the seller cited that reason for selling.

For me, the 4003 neck felt chunky when I first got it, but it was only a matter of an hour or two before I was right at home with it. The only time it feels slightly chunky now is if I'm sitting down, due to the wrist bending differently from when standing. When standing, it feels perfect, and I love the playability of it.

The ironic thing about the Ric neck is that it is faster on the upper 1/2 of the fretboard than all Fenders and many other brands, thanks to the non-tapering neck. This could be why McCartney, Glover, Squire and others have played extensively up high when playing Rics.

I can't remember if I chimed in to this thread yet...

I just got my 4004, and yes, the neck is way different than my 75 4001. Compared to almost every other Rick bass I've played, the 4001 is exceptionally thin in girth.

But I LOVE the Laredo neck. Maybe it's the lighter strings, but I find nothig objectionale about it. Sure it's chunky, but by no means a "baseball bat".

I guess I really am not all that particular; I don't mind my Jazz Bass, and I can switch between my various guitars easily-my Dakota has a "chunky" neck for a guitar, and my Mustang is a short scale...

Guess it's another thing, like most aspects of guitars, that's very subjective.

How chunky can it be? I mean everything is relative. I have played a late sixties Telecaster Bass and even Pokey Reese could hit a home run with that neck it was such a baseball bat.
My '78 P-Bass neck I have, which needs a refret and good leveling is the thickest neck I haveever played, front to back in dimension. I can't see a Rick neck being thicker than that but then who knows the latest Rick I have played is the '98 4001V63 I used to have which was thicker than my '97 4003.

I play more upright bass than electric bass, and I prefer the new fat necks. In fact, every new Ric bass I've picked up in the past few years have felt great. It feels like a bass, and not just a big funky guitar.

Could perhaps some Ric basses with neck problems be from the owners trying to make adjustments themselves? I'm scared to death to try to adjust the truss rods on any of my Rics, and I won't let the all-around guitar repair guy at the shop I bought my last one from set it up either (even though I should get a free setup with my purchase). For something as unique as a Rickenbacker, I'll gladly pay the $100 to have the best luthier here in Nashville set 'em up. It's just worth it to me. I have a 360 setup with Pyramid .013's on it, and the neck is straight as can be, and plays better than some off-the-rack setups with .010's.

Don't be afraid of them, they are very easy to set up, even the 4001's aren't bad once you learn how.

For sure. Some neck problems are caused by improper rod adjustments but modern Rick necks are very easy to adjust. It is nothing to be afraid of. Every Rick owner should know how to do their own truss adjustments. It is a simple 5 minute task to make regular seasonal adjustments.

The important thing is to first understand what happens when the adjusting nuts are turned. Tightening the nuts applies more counter force and that moves the neck back away from the strings tending toward back bow. Loosening the nuts allows the strings to pull the neck forward tending toward up bow. If one rod is tightened more than the other, the neck will roll (twist) slightly toward the tighter side. The nuts should always be turned in small increments. Usually 1/8 to 1/4 turn at a time. Always retune and check for buzzes between the adjustments. Though rare, problem necks take more effort and some may never be totally right. The tool for the job is the Xcelite model L8 1/4 inch nut driver which is available from RIC dealers for about $15. You can find them other places on the net as well. Failing that, any thin-wall 1/4" nut driver will work. The Xcelite is what RIC suggests. The owner's manual on the RIC site (and that shipped with the instrument) has detailed instructions. http://www.rickenbacker.com/us/service.htm

There is a similar thread here under Rickenbacker Basses titled something like "String Heights for 4003's, etc." that I started and was extremely helpful to me.

I just finished my first ever personal setup of a 4003, and I love it! Besides having a better playing bass now, I feel much more connected to it (sounds weird, but true).

What I did, and would suggest, is that you get the tools you'll need (see thread I mentioned above for some great advice), take off the TRC, and consider that Ric out of commission for a few days. Just use another one if you have gigs or band practices. Take your time, go slow with the truss rod adjustments, and always retune between adjustments, etc.

In my bass's case, the neck just needed to be straightened a little bit, and the bridge height adjusted a little bit. I'm glad I did it, and very grateful for help from all of the Forum members who chimed in with guidance. It plays much faster now.

Now there's a healthy neck for ya!: LOL


...and I love it.

I have completely taken Rics apart and experimented with the circuits, set ups, etc. Everything I do like this makes me feel closer to them, they are very interesting instruments, I love taking a beat old 4001 or early 4003 and restoring it to good playing condition.

LOL Joey!

Coooool.

Henny, who the HECK is THAT!!!! Crikey...