Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

It's a lot heavier than the BB 4004L I have.

I didn't weight 'em but there's a noticeable difference in weight between the two just picking
them up.

I'm frustrated because, as we all know, you can't really walk into a store and try a 4004 out to see how it's gonna work for you.

Can someone help me understand how two otherwise identical basses have a discrepancy like this?

They are finished by hand so that can lead to some differences in body/neck contouring. There are also variations in the weight of the wood....it's not like every piece weighs the same. It may have taken more paint on the Midnight Blue Laredo to achieve an acceptable finish. All of the little things can add up.

MID is heavier than BB, didn't you know that? That's why it is darker!

Midnight finishes have at least five more coats of paint than the Blue Boys.

Do you have the new Midnight finish or the old? The new one is darker and less metallic. More like the original Midnight finishes.

Ben, thanks for the post. I didnt' realize that.

Which colors would have a thin finish?

The BB 4004L I have is easily the best bass I've ever played, from all aspects. I'd like to find one that's like this one.

It's like 70's Fenders, an ash-body P-bass for example can weigh anything between 8 lbs (I have two that are 8.5 lbs each) and 11 lbs. I had two 73 P-basses that were almost identical, close serial numbers, exact same finish and woods (ash/maple), and one of them was significantly heavier. Of course I kept the lightweight and let the boat anchor go. There's always some variation.

I tried out an '80's P that was mountain ash & it weighed around 12 or 13lbs.
Of course, wood is a natural, growing substance & no 2 blanks are going to weigh the same even if they are the same species.