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My first Ric - 4003 MBR
Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2003 12:32 pm
by cisco
Wow!! I am just in awe at the sound that comes out of this gorgeous bass. It definitely has a more 'in your face' tone than my Fender basses. The Montezuma Brown finish is simply one of THE nicest bursts I have ever seen. My SUNN 1200s amp seems a perfect match for this tone monster. The new pickups are so hot that I have to use the -6db button for the input. Next week it goes to my luthier for a complete setup with TI jazz flats. The only problem with it is that the foam mute is arched in the middle, which I think is because it is too long for the cavity where it lies. I'll have the luthier fix it so that I can use the mute occasionally.
Anyways, I am totally impressed by this new Ric.
Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2003 12:50 pm
by ojobob2
As i now have a 70's 4001 too,,,i can say that whilst not as cool, the newer 4003's are the best ricks ever. The necks are amazing and also, the TI flats are great on Rickenbackers
Yeah the mute stinks, i had to trim it down to make it work right
its arched in the middle cos the metal plate it sits on is arched
Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2003 12:52 pm
by keb
Greetings from a fellow new member! And welcome to the Rick club. My trusty 4003 has been my main bass for the past 11 years and will likely be my main bass for many years to come, unless I nab a couple more along the way (which I plan to do actually!)
Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2003 1:04 pm
by cheyenne
Welcome John and Kurt, I've only owned 4001 and 4004 Ricks, but all this talk about how newer 4003's sounding 'ballsier' and more 'in your face' ect.... has got me looking for a nice used one.
Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2003 1:14 pm
by dano
Welcome to the Montezuma Club!
Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2003 1:33 pm
by admin
Welcome Keb. It is great to have another Rickenbacker enthusiast onboard. Please take the time to tell us about your "trusty 4003."
Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2003 2:05 pm
by bottom4
Hey Scott, Just put a toaster in a mint 4003JG. I could think of a possible trade!
yeah right!
cheers
Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2003 6:55 pm
by rickenbrother
John, congrats on that 4003, enjoy and welcome to the forum.
Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2003 11:31 pm
by paul_yan
Welcome John and Kurt.
Alright, we have another 4003 MB in the family.
Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2003 2:25 am
by keb
My 4003 = a '92 midnight blue w/ black trim I bought very slightly used in November of 1992 (the bass was built in July of that year.) Bass was in mint shape, but the case was/is a little dinged up. Recently I've unwound the higains in it and installed a .0047 cap to get a more '70s sound out of it (the trebly sound has always been my personal tone preference, but I had no idea that the cap and lower-wound pickups were largely responsible for that sound until I started reading this forum. Huge thanks guys, this place is an absolute treasure trove of information.)
And not to get too much off topic, that Montezuma Brown finish is quite sweet. I've always wanted a fretless 4003 in Fireglo but the Montezuma would do quite nicely indeed (in my dreams!)
Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2003 2:30 am
by cheyenne
Thanks for the offer Andy, but dont give up, yours will arrive soon.
Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2003 9:53 am
by rickfan63
I also have a 4003MB,and they are beautiful basses,in both sound and looks. They do have a good growl to their sound. My 4001V63 really has the balls though. Those horseshoes they made for those basses were really fine pickups.
Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2003 11:37 am
by dano
"My 4001V63 really has the balls though."
Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2003 4:39 pm
by philco
My F-150 has ballsy bass also. Yesterday I took out a coyote that was running flat out, and I was doing 65. ZZ Top was in the tape player and the LED volume indicator was pegged all the way to the right. "Give me all your lovin', all your hugs and kisses too"............and then that huge "whump!" and a thump that shakes your liver and reverberates through the truck body is simply unobtainable by electronic instruments................not even the ballsiest drummer comes close. And that big coyote smashng F-150 fender has even more chrome on it than a 4001V63 Rick bass. And a better "big butt body slam by Rosie O'Donnell" sound than a 4004 Rick bass hooked to an SVT dual stack. Alas, it's a "one note wonder", but WHAT A NOTE!
The fender is still looking good, and ready for my next "coyote bass note". Maybe I'll have a tape recorder going next time. Do they make wind screens for mikes that can handle 65 MPH?
And this is Texas.............it's not like we're about to run out of suicidal coyotes anytime soon. If Bush still needs a weapon of mass destruction, I'll volunteer my F-150 fender. And no, you guys with "destroyer bass rigs" don't even come close.
Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2003 6:06 pm
by dave4004
He said Fender...huhhuhhuh.
Did you hit the coyote with precision? Tele us the truth, don't strat to jazz up your story.