Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Okay, here's my dilemma. I've come to prefer my 77 4001 over my 04 4003. So, I am in search of a thinner-necked Rick. More and more I find that the thicker necks cause me problems. I very much enjoy my 77 4001 w/ its slim neck and am thinking of hunting down a burg, azure or ruby 4001 of 74-79 vintage (or so); maybe even a split-pickguard 4003. However, perhaps a new 4003 w/ the new slim neck would be better? Trouble is, I can't find a new one to play it, so I know zip about the new necks! Can anyone provide me w/ a comparison or an opinion?
Thanks!

I'd go with the vintage one. The newer ones have supposedly converted to a thinner neck, but you KNOW the neck on the vintage one is going to be thin.
I had a '73 4001 MG and a '75 4001 Azure and they were both incredible necks. I also liked the "clank" of the older pickups as opposed to the newer ones. More of "The Rickenbacker Sound" to me...but there are people in both camps, just my opinion..

Gotta love a '77 neck!

My '72 and '73 Ricks have perfect necks IMHO. If you like a more chunky neck then a 4003 would be the way to go.

My thinnest necked bass is a Made In Japan 1962 Fender Jazz reissue. That neck is so slim and fast that it is almost too thin, and I have small hands!

Hi Gray, I've got a 82 4003 in dark fireglo with the split-pickguard that you mention. I've always found the neck very playable and, to my feel atleast, nice and slim. A lovely neck for fast runs and chordal work and you should get one cheeper than a 70's 4001. Happy hunting.

I have two '89 4003S basses and both have thin necks. Way thinner than my '05 I had to get rid of.
That's always an option as well.

Sorry....double post. Server problem I imagine.

Since you mentioned azureglo, that's my recommendation, it really is a beautiful color and perhaps a little rarer than burgundy(which is also nice).

God I want an Azureglo 4001. I was outbid on one back in '04...
(Sigh)

The 90's Rics had some very thin, fast necks.

Wow, thanks for the fast reponses!

Mark, that's a killer-looking 4001!

Well, I have to say that I'm really leaning toward a mid-70's 4001, because I know how nice those necks are. Plus, the neck hasn't moved a bit since it was set up almost two years ago, and this includes a rather ugly fall from a case when the locks failed, and that bass, even though it was almost 30 years old at the time, held up like it might as well have been a crowbar or a baseball bat.
However, I like these other suggestions as well, because I really do love the sound of a 4003. I'll miss mine, because frankly these deep finishes they've been using look soooooo good in Jetglo, and it's just a purty bass to look at. But, alas, they are for playing, and I've found that it just doesn't suit me as well as the old 4001 does.
So, I'll keep my eye out for an old 4001, but I'm going to keep my eyes peeled just as much for the others you've all mentioned as well.

Maybe I should post something in the "Wanted" section of these forums.

I have a Burgundy 81 4003 that is identical to my 78 and 79 4001's in every way except for the reversed truss rods which was a very good idea and worked much better than the 4001 scheme although the truss rods are identical. In fact the neck is thinner on the 4003 than on the 78 Azureglo.
Also as someone mentioned the early 90's 4003's also have thin necks and sound great.
The early 70's necks are even thinner than the later ones, I prefer the mid 70's to early 80's necks, they're a little rounder, the early ones are flatter.

I've got a 77 4001, and it's a great neck, but my new 06 4003 seems very similar in thickness. I really can't tell the difference, but the sound on the 4003 is so much thicker and meatier, really gives me alot of options, sound wise, and the new ones cost less than the old ones do. Just a thought. Good luck in your quest.

Has anyone here tried one of the new 4003's? If so how are the necks compared to later 70's 4001's?

HI bob, the new 4003's are horrible i thought, i sold that 2002 burgundy (that i bought over the net) because the neck was so thick it hurt to play. But then, a friend has a 2005 one thats still very thick but not nearly as bad...go figure! also it had major neckdive, a ****** dead E string and even unplugged sounded very "dead"

my 1991 4003, that i will never part with has it problems too - the neck is weak and the bass side rod is maxed out, has an S curve in the neck. It plays amazingly tho as a i know a top repair guy who levelled and dressed the frets to perfection, so it plays perfectly.