Opinions on the split guard 4003

thinneckrick · Post by **thinneckrick** » Wed Feb 08, 2006 7:44 pm

Im on the verge of scoring a split guard 84 4003 Ricky . Are these any different because of the truss rod location . Are things such as tone and feel affected by this. I have heard they have thin necks ? Is that true ?

bob_atherton · Post by **bob_atherton** » Wed Feb 08, 2006 9:43 pm

All I know is that I have an '83 split on my FL. It is my only RIC with flats so it does sound different. It has quite a thin neck for that age, about the same as my mid - late 70's 4001's.

It also is one of my drummers favorite basses for the way that it punches through the mix. Could be the 'new' truss. Food for thought....

heinpete · Post by **heinpete** » Thu Feb 09, 2006 12:56 am

...the '83Burgundy I had was a tank of a bass, both, weight wise and from the thickness of the neck. Although it was a nice bass I sold it for some lighter 1997 4003FG, that also has a more modern sound.

iamthebassman · Post by **iamthebassman** » Thu Feb 09, 2006 4:14 am

My '80 4003 is my favorite of my 3 Ric basses. Beautiful FG, thin neck, nice weight, sounds great.

jnbass · Post by **jnbass** » Thu Feb 09, 2006 7:06 am

can't tell if the neck's any thinner,

since I don't play it...

bob_atherton · Post by **bob_atherton** » Thu Feb 09, 2006 9:41 am

FWIW here's a pic of mine...

frode · Post by **frode** » Thu Feb 09, 2006 9:59 am

My 84.

jps · Post by **jps** » Thu Feb 09, 2006 5:11 pm

"Food for thought...."

I prefer to think about food!

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Thu Feb 09, 2006 9:16 pm

The older ones are just 4001's with truss rods in a different place, if you like 4001's you'll like them, I like them and have owned several, I have an 81 right now. They changed truss rods in 84, the later ones that year have the new ones, I think they changed somewhere around Sept of 84. Also took out the cap at the same time I believe.