4003FL Soundbites

crested_radish · Post by **crested_radish** » Thu Jun 26, 2003 10:40 am

Hi All - Virgin Post here I'm afraid.

I was pointed in this direction by Kenny at Rickenbacker customer service and hopefully some kind soul can help me out.

I am a 4003 owner, looking for a new challenge. One of the options is a fretless bass (or maybe a 6 string), and as I love my 4003 so much it seems an obvious candidate is a 4003FL.

As they're so hard to come by (And I'm a lefty to boot) I'll have order one sight unseen.

I absolutely love my 4003 tone with roundwounds, and I just want to make sure I won't be disappointed with a 4003FL as it's quite obviously going to be a completely different kettle of fish. I was wondering if anyone has any mp3 (or other format) sound files of a 4003 which I could listen to......

Also - will using Rotosound half-rounds damage the fretboard ?

Thanks in Advance.

Chris Clark.

dano · Post by **dano** » Thu Jun 26, 2003 11:21 am

Hello Chris and Welcome,
I take it you plan on converting a 4003 to Fretless? My 4001 was converted. This is my experimental bass. It has a current high gain in the bridge and a toaster in the neck (best pickup combo so far). I just put nylon strings on her but havn't had a chance to play her yet. I like Roto's but as far as if half-rounds will damage the fretboard, someone else here is probably better qualified to answer this. Good luck with this, keep us posted on how things turn out.

crested_radish · Post by **crested_radish** » Thu Jun 26, 2003 11:25 am

Thanks for the welcome...

Sorry I wasn't making myself clear - I'm going to buy (order) a brand new 4003FL.

I have neither the skill, bravery or inclination to make changes to my existing 4003 <g>.

dano · Post by **dano** » Thu Jun 26, 2003 11:31 am

Cool,
Are you custom ordering a 4003LHFL? I didn't know you could custom order items like that (too cool!).

dano · Post by **dano** » Thu Jun 26, 2003 11:34 am

P.S.
Check out the new Montezuma Brown finish. It's AWESOME!

crested_radish · Post by **crested_radish** » Thu Jun 26, 2003 12:21 pm

Ah...I had just assumed that I could order a LH 4003 Fretless...........

On the Rickenbacker site, actually on the options page (http://www.rickenbacker.com/us/options.htm) it states

"LH - Lefthand, available all models"

So I'm hopeful...........

It's Jetglow all the way with colour though, I originally wanted JetGlow on my current 4003 and went with Firelow as I was in a hurry and couldn't find a JetGlow Lefty.

Chris.

jps · Post by **jps** » Thu Jun 26, 2003 1:48 pm

Thjis isn't fretless but you might want to check out the awesome looking Lefty 4004Cii in Ttransparent Red that has a beautiful Quilt Maple top.

http://www.the-music-connection.com/ricused.htm#r320

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Thu Jun 26, 2003 3:15 pm

Hi Chris, Welcome, I used to use Rotosound half rounds on a 4001FL and never hurt it. I don't know what kind of sound you are after but flatwounds sound great on a fretless, much fuller than half rounds, I've never tried the stock tape wounds on a 4003FL (I heard that they had been discontinued) but a lot of people here use those and also Pyramid flatwounds on fretted basses, I do and they sound great, I'm sure they would sound good on a Fretless. I have roto tapewounds on my 4001FL right now but don't like them, they are huge in diameter but very floppy, especially the E string, but some people here like them too. I would experiment and don't write off flatwounds, you might be surprised at the sound. A fretless bass is usually darker in sound than a fretted bass, all things being equal.

dave4004 · Post by **dave4004** » Thu Jun 26, 2003 4:37 pm

Chris, AFAIK you can order it just as the price and option sheet says.

dano · Post by **dano** » Thu Jun 26, 2003 4:45 pm

I don't see FL as an option. Does this have anything to do with no dot inlays this year and the discontinuation of the RIC nylons? HMMMMMMM

dano · Post by **dano** » Thu Jun 26, 2003 4:48 pm

Is this the end of the RIC FL as we know it (sing like R.E.M.). I hope not!

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Thu Jun 26, 2003 6:07 pm

Yeah, I really want one, I don't like taking my 72 out of the house.
A couple of years ago when black hardware was still an option GC called Ric for me and they were willing to make me an all black Fretless, I had to come up with the cold hard cash as opposed to layaway, which is what I was doing then, so I cancelled it. I guess I'll never have that now.

crested_radish · Post by **crested_radish** » Thu Jun 26, 2003 10:51 pm

Hang on a Mo.

LH is an Option, and yes FL is not listed as an option but it IS listed as a model, under models > 4000 Series Basses.

paul_yan · Post by **paul_yan** » Fri Jun 27, 2003 12:34 am

Yes, I believe the 4003 FL will still be produced as long as orders are placed.

Here's a page from RIC Japan's (Shinseido Co.) CD booklet like catalog featuring currently available 400x models:

Bob, I remember you saying you had a thing for Mapleglo. That 4003 FL MG seems a good candidate for your next purchase. Get one while they are still making them.

paul_yan · Post by **paul_yan** » Fri Jun 27, 2003 12:44 am

Dan,
Any news update on the availability of RIC nylon tapewounds?
I hope it's the same situation like the bass saddles/bridge assembly that're only out of supply temporarily. I optimistically believe they will be back for sale again in some time.
Well, like all things Rickenbacker, we just have to have a little more patience...("I'm not waiting on a ladyyyy..., I'm just waiting on a friend"---The Rolling Stones.)