Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I apologize if this has already been asked, but I couldn't find a definitive answer when I did a search. I see the current 4003 basses measure 1 11/16" at the nut, I owned a 4001 back in the mid to late 70's and I swear the neck was narrower than that. Did the neck become wider at some point, and if it did, when? I'm thinking about buying another 70's 4001 because I remember a thinner neck, but after playing a new 4003 at my local guitar shop, the wide neck just isn't comfortable to me. I realize I've forgotten most of what I did during the 70's (for many different reasons), but am I wrong about the 4001 neck? Thanks for the input!!

Check my neck dimensions thread in a couple of days...I'm planning on doing a survey on my 75 4001 tomorrow when I have band practice.

Can't say much about 4003's, but I was under the impression they were just about the same as the 4001. When I got my 4004 a little while ago, I thought I measured a slight increase at the nut compared to the 4001.

But this morning the 4004 came in at 1 11/16", so I'm not sure without testing, and the 4001 is at my buds house. It might have been 1 5/8"...

To Be Continued...

4003's are wider. I bought a Ric replacement nut for a '76 4001 I was rehabbing and it was to wide. I didn't notice in the item description that it said for 4003's only. Had to make one from scratch.

Hmmmm...... "Nutwidth Fitty Limits"!!!

My '75 4001 comes in @ 1 7/16", slightly narrower than a Fender Jazz Bass.

YMMV

-Dave

Wow...my 75 is a little wider than my Jazz...which is about 1 1/2". The 4001 was about 1 5/8".

Oddly, my Laredo is just about the same at the nut...but is most definitely wider down the neck.

Well, I'll find out next week what I come up with. I pulled the trigger on a '73 4001....at $865, I couldn't help myself. You can check out the picture on the "I Have a Chance to Buy a '73 4001" thread. This whole purchase has now got me hooked on this forum. I think I'll hang around here for awhile....

"Nutwidth Fitty Limits"

I just spit my coffee on that one!

Howard...I swear I thought the same thing when I saw the thread name. This is gettin' scary...makes my third eye itchy.

They are a tiny bit wider maybe an 1/8 " I didn't even notice the difference until I bought a new ric nut for a 75 4001, it still worked just needed to be trimmed a little bit.

Spooky, eh? I'm sure you can handle it, Dane. As long as it doesn't make your brown eye blue..... that would be a worry!!

would any 1 1/16" pre-slotted bass nut work as a replacement on a 4003? if not, what would be the best place to get one?

you can get one here ...

http://www.the-music-connection.com/ric.htm