Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Ok - so the books tell me that the 4003 superceded the 4001, as the 4003 was developed to better cope with roundwounds - what did they do with the 4003 that was so different?, and am I wasting my time trying to get a traditional sound using flats on my 4003? - should I just save up for a vintage 4001?

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Main difference from what I've read is that the truss rods in the 4003 are stronger. Early 4003's had the adjustment nuts for the tr's at the base of the neck...which is why the pickguard was split.

I'm not sure I'd characterize using flats on the 4003 as a waste - I LOVE the sound of my 4001 with flats, and my guess is a 4003 would be about the same. It's a personal preference - if you like flats you like flats.

There are actually several generations of the 4003. The early ones (pre 8-84) were pretty much the same as the 4001 but had no shedua stripe down the center of the neck slab. Some if not all had the truss adjusters under at the body end. There are also some odd variants from the 1980-82 period that had different cuts and laminations. After mid-year '84, 4003 sported the new rod system which is easier to maintain than the old one.

The 4001 neck has two flat bottom truss rod channels that run from the head to the neck pickup route parallel to the sides of the neck. Each channel holds a 4 foot long piece of flat wire (round stock that was rolled flat on two sides) that is folded nearly in half. One side of the fold is left about 1.5 inches longer than the other. The long side gets the threads for the adjusting nuts. These rods are basically adjustable springs. Here are the two rod types next to each other for comparison. The old style rod is the bottom one. The black bit sticking up on the old rods is the tape that sits in the fold to prevent rattles.



The 4003 models made after 8-84 have the new style rods. The neck construction is a bit different in that the truss channels are not flat but curved front to back. That is, the channel is deeper at the 7 fret than it is at either end. The curve in the rod above is due to the curve of channel. The newer truss channels also have a piece of maple filler glued in over the rod to prevent the rods from pressing on the back side of the fingerboard as do the 4001 rods. The filler greatly reduces the chances of a truss adjustment popping the fingerboard off. Here is picture of a 4004C with the fingerboard removed. The packing has remained attached to the backside of the fingerboard. It is supposed to be in the truss channels.



The packing approximates the curve of the truss channels by being taller in the center than it is at the ends. This gives the truss rod something to push against as it is tightened.

Over the years RIC gave the 4003 progressively hotter pickups and a few subtle tweaks and changes to make them better. I love my old 4001s but the 4003 is truly a better instrument.

I thank you both for this info - you've just saved me a fortune not buying another Rick! - I'll use the money to buy more sets of flats!

Ted -- you know too much!

I just like to play Dr. Frankenstein with messed up Ricks. I suppose that was a bit overkill.

Hey Ted, we still good for this evening? Call me.

Hey Paul - Sent you an email. Will be in Milwaukee next weekend with The Roadshow. You anywhere near there?

And Ted! You got time to work on my 4001?

Ted, actually that was a super description. Although it's old news, it's still great to see it explained perfectly!

There is also the matter of the .0047 cap that was in all the 4001s and early 4003s, and the significant difference in tone it provides.

The newest 4003s with the vintage tone switch are the best combination. Improved truss rods and vintage tone.

Thanks Fran!

John: Yes, the cap is another detail. It was present in the 4003 up to a point but I don't know exactly when it was removed.

That was a great post Ted! Having owned both a 4001 and now a 4003, you are correct in saying that the 4003 is a better bass, pick up and construction wise. At least I believe it is anyway. And the 4001 was a pretty good instrument to begin with. My old 4001 was a real workhorse. I wish I had never sold it.

Ted - was the .0047 cap removed, or just bypassed ?

It was removed.

Thanks Ted