Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I'm not really up to speed on the 4004 models, though I have been GASing for one lately...

Do any of the 4004's currently made have maple fretboards? I know i've seen some around here, one might have been owned by Mr. Rath.

None of the current 4004 models have maple boards. If it is that important you'll have to hunt for a used one.

My Ci has a maple board that feels fantastic but I think the tung oil finish is a big part of the reason....

Yes, that is correct. Maple is no longer used on 4004 fingerboards. I love the feel of my 4004C too. I agree, the tung oil finish is excellent. The real beauty is you can do a refin whenever you want. A can of Formby's tung oil and some 0000 steel wool and your bass looks as good as new again.

What's the sound difference between a maple fretboard 4004L and a bubinga fretboard 4004L?

John, here's a picture of mine:


It was made in 2000, and I think one of the last Laredo's with a maple fingerboard. I really enjoy it, but I would be willing to part with it if the right opportunity presented itself.

the newer ones with the bubinga fretboard have a stronger neck ... I have 3 rics with maple fretboards ... a 93 4004L, a 93 2020, and a 98 4004ci ... the Laredo has a gloss conversion varnish finish and the other 2 are oil finished ...

I love that bass Ron.

I have never done an A vs B test of maple and bubinga on a given model. The rule of thumb is that maple produces a bright tone and bubinga produces a darker but very rich tone.

RIC fingerboards provide much of the strength of the neck whereas many builders use fingerboards that are merely appliques over a neck that could, more or less stand alone. Bubinga is much stiffer than maple. As Jeff said, bubinga fingerboards make for stronger necks.

Doesn't the tuxedo and black star also have maple fretboards? I know the tuxedo guitar does.

Yes, the Tux, Blackstar, and Redneck have maple boards. IHMO bubinga boards hold frets better. I have seen very little fret lift on my bubinga/rosewood Ricks but all of my maple fingerboard Ricks have required some fret reseating.

maple finished with conversion varnish is brighter sounding, maple with an oil finish is less bright, bubinga finished in conversion varnish is fairly bright as well, and unfinished rosewood is darker sounding ... on my fender style basses I oil finish the neck and the fretboard ... I find it protects the neck from s curving and it improves the sound ...

I can't offer much of an opinion on the tone difference. My LK is tung oil bubinga with walnut body wings, the Ci is tung oil maple with walnut wings but thinner than the LK, and the Laredo is varnished bubinga with maple wings. They all sound similar but with their own character.

The LK is the "darkest", the Ci is a little brighter and the Laredo is a tad more on the "bright" side. The difference is subtle but it is there. If the body wings, mass, fretboard or finish is the determining factor, I have no idea.