Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I own 3 4003s5 basses these days ... I noticed they are different sizes ... now this is not a complaint ... but an observation ... The Red one is a 1998 4003s5 ... the blue one is a 1990 4003s5 ... the blue one is noticeabley bigger ... the red one smaller ... and the white one is almost as big as the blue ... kinda interesting ...

Must be that the new year is coming up or you are bored silly with no other basses around to turn into a five string!:0)

Jeff, my 4003S/5 blue beast is similar in dimension to your red one. It looks quite at bit different from the rest of my Rick basses.

The size difference make a difference in sound and resonance and it makes a difference in what cases it will fit in ...

I noticed this same thing when I owned a 4003s and the v63s had just come out. The S model and the 4003 models had a much thicker "cresting wave" than the v63s, but I don't think it made squat of a difference as far as sound and resonance.

3 4003s5 basses !!!

If I could only have one !!!

I have 6 Jeff, (4 strings of course, they were all 5 stringers when I got them, but I got rid of those useless extra strings quickly, took out the mono jacks and put extra ric-o-sound jacks in, and doubled the mutes thicknesses) and have noticed the same thing, on the late 90's and on the cutaways are noticably thinner, like the early 70's 4001's. I also have three different sized head stocks, the 72 is the smallest, the late 70's are the same as my early nineties (middle sized) and my late 90's and 2000 are the biggest, like the 60's I think. I have also noticed fretboard thickness differences from one year to the next. I also think the early nineties necks are almost as thin as the late 70's 4001's.
I have noticed other differences but only have two late 70's 4001's here with me in Lima. they are identical in shape but the fretboard of the 78 is much thicker than the 79 (and the neck of the 78 is much stronger also, I don't know if that's anything to do with the fretboard or not, if it is it is probably minimal). I am awaiting an 81 4003, but it is taking it's sweet time.
I have a theory that they used several different types of shapes over the years and change them occasionally.

who says size doesn't matter?

neck dimensions on my 8 stringers are slightly different in thickness. Lower bout seems same. Will measure.

they were all 5 stringers when I got them, but I got rid of those useless extra strings quickly, took out the mono jacks and put extra ric-o-sound jacks in, and doubled the mutes thicknesses

I love this place!

I knew someone would appreciate my fine sense of humor one of these days.

Bob, that was funny, I was, well, LMAOAROTF!!!
I wonder if you can help me install one of them double-thick mutes on my v63?
Happy New Year to everyone!

Bob, you seem to know a lot about modifying RIC basses for better sound and will stop at nothing to achieve it. Did you ever consider modifying the bassist for better sound? I was wondering if wearing silk panty hose to a gig could prevent blood from draining from the head and settling in the legs? An old duck hunter's trick was to wear their wife's silk stockings inside their waders. Some old duck hunters swear by silk underwear (too cheap to buy it, they just borrow the wife's), but then again you might also need to wear the waders to get the full effect. It seems to steady their shooting since they claim better comfort in the waders. Since you seem to stop at nothing for ultimate Rick Tone, I thought maybe you might want to check this idea out and get back with us. I can vouch that it works fairly well when fishing with Gore-Tex waders (but I use men's silk long johns, thank you very much). It seems to improve my casting. Can't really explain why. Free your feet, and your fingers will follow.

This might really be a hot tip for the leather pants crowd.

RIC only started using CNC machines in the '90s. The instruments were largely "made by hand" until this time. That would explain the differences.

It's not the size of the bass, it's how you use it...

I just knew somebody would say that ... then of course you have to say ... bass players have longer necks ...