Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

i was in my local sam ash and they had a jetglo 4003 hanging on the wall. It must have just arrived because they had a blue one that had sold and didn't have any for over a month or so. I asked a sales guy if I give it a go and played it for about an hour. It looked amazing, it had the push/pull pot, the full length inlays and the newer-ish head stock, all the usual stuff you guys see all the time. I have to say as nice as it was I like my 83 4003 more. If just feel like I get a warmer tone from the pickups. Could this be because of the body mass difference? I know my flat would strings didn't play that much a difference. It played well despite having a wider fret board and larger frets than my 83. Am I the only one that feels this way or am I just being a knitt-picker?

The general concensus is that the '09s have a slightly beefier neck, which adds some lower-mids. Wish they'd make a FL in this configuration (and leave the triangle inlays on the FL board - that'd be sweet). Low-mids is exactly what an FL needs, IMO.

My 2009 has more mids in the sound but is still a bit scooped.

I like the dot inlays on the FL--they look great. I wish all Rics were "S" style, actually... but that's just me.

Miles, IMHO, the difference in sound between an '09 and an '83 is largely due to the neck mass and the pickups. The '09's wider and thicker neck, plus its hotter pickups (more coil wounds, different materials for bobbins and polepieces) all contribute tremendously to its sound being warmer/beefier.

Paul actually the neck on this bass was thinner/flatter than mine. My bass sounds warmer in tone than the one I played at the store. I'm not knocking the 09 in anyway, but I don't think I'd buy one now that I've had hands on with it. It just doesn't produce my sound. I was contemplating swapping my pickups for the new hotter ones but I'm so glad that I didn't. My bass already has balls. I think those pickups would have just given it even more. If thats even possible or ever a problem lol.

Indeed, Miles. Keep your '83 as it gives exactly the tone that you like.

I've heard clips of Prowl's bass many a time and it does indeed have a very wonderful tone.

Thanks Josh. I think the next bass will come next year sometime in the form of an early 80's 4001JG or early 90's 4003. Likely after I get out of Florida and up New York way. I liked the growl of the 2009 though and the ability of play with the poles and all that, as well as the ability to get to the truss rods without having to take the bloody pickguard off, but other than that I'm no so much a fan of the body re-shape.

Prowl wrote:...I'm no so much a fan of the body re-shape.

JPS your avatar is from the first episode of Star Trek isn't it? lol thats the salt monster!!

Anyway by body re-shape I meant how the shape of the current basses are slimmer than the earlier ones

Prowl wrote:...by body re-shape I meant how the shape of the current basses are slimmer than the earlier ones

The "new" shape is much more in line with how these basses looked in the '60s, a look that is very much loved around these salt infested beings. I am in the group who prefer the nice, slim, elegant look of those basses.

JPS any idea why the bass changed from being slim to somewhat chubby from the later 70's to mid 80s then back to the slim 60's style? I guess I happen to be one of the carbon based life forms that enjoys the fat bottomed basses

I thought the '09 4003 that I currently own felt like it had a slimmer body than the '82 4001 that I used to own had. Prowl has a point, me thinks.

Oh well, no complaints from me.

Prowl wrote:JPS any idea why the bass changed from being slim to somewhat chubby from the later 70's to mid 80s then back to the slim 60's style? I guess I happen to be one of the carbon based life forms that enjoys the fat bottomed basses

Guess? Worn jigs and patterns.

what do you mean?