Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

This goes out to owners of 4004L, 4004ci adn 4004cii owners. I have an opportunity to add a 4004L to my stable. Having never played a 4004 model, I have no idea of the characteristics that make each one of these models unique. Any feedback on what I could expect would be greatly appreciated

Imagine a 4003 sound with more clarity, more mid-bass grunt and a little less high sparkle... Great attack as well.

Well I’m not expert here but I think the 4004 series is one of the best kept secrets in all of Ric-dom. They are light weight with a slightly wider fretboard (than the 4001/3 series basses) and have a huge sound. I say the sound is sorta like a Fender or Gibson on Ric steroids – you can definitely hear the signature Ric sound. I have a 4004L with a maple fretboard - converted it to an 8 string. My understanding is these are the brighter sounding of the 4004’s due to the maple fretboard. The other are supposed to be progressively warmer in sound. But someone else will have to verify that. I think there have been threads about this comparison before – you might want to do a search and see what you come up with. I really don't think you can go wrong buying one. When I get some spare cash I plan to get another to keep as a 4 string.

marcinkus wrote:Imagine a 4003 sound with more clarity, more mid-bass grunt and a little less high sparkle... Great attack as well.

I think that sums it up pretty nicely. I have only played Ciis, but I've played seven or eight, and they were all like this with the stock harness. The stock harness prevents the pickups loading down as hard as on a 4003, which is one thing to consider. As for maple/walnut I honestly think people make a bigger deal out of the tonal differences than is actually there but I haven't played an L yet, I'm just comparing Ciis to my all-maple 4003s as far as sound. They're anything but dark if you ask me, but the humbuckers do lose a bit of that really, really high-frequency (2 kHz+) quality.

the biggest complaint about the 4004 series seems to be the neck shape,which is flatter and wider than 4003 series's. i don't find it to be objectionable,in fact i really like the feel of my cii's neck,the pickups are great,very powerful and rich sounding. if you are looking at the newer models with the 2 peice necks,the neck profile is supposed to be more similar to the new 4003's,too. the fact that they are generally lighter and more contoured makes them super sweet to strap on. the difference in the treble sound is pretty easy to compensate for with amp settings. you should definitely check one out,altho,as a caveat,they may be a little harder to re-sell,depending on the price you want.

The bass sound is as solid as the earth. Big and authoritative. Ci/Cii will be just a tad darker than a L, I believe.

woodyng wrote:the biggest complaint about the 4004 series seems to be the neck shape,which is flatter and wider than 4003 series's.

But Woody that is one reason I love my 4004L its neck is almost like my '74 4001! Which is my fave of all times! And did I mention the HUGE sound to 4004 has????!!!!!??!?

The neck of the Ci is very thin... the Cii have rounder, D profile necks but they are very very stable and deadspot free. In my opinion one of the reasons of the full and clear sound is just the neck.

Thanks.....hope I can work it all out with Erik and see you at MARF IV

bassman7365 wrote:Thanks.....hope I can work it all out with Erik and see you at MARF IV

If you're talking about Erik K's fireglo 4004L with the maple fingerboard, If I had the spare cash I would have beat you to it. I've played it, it's a great bass! GET IT!

Erik with my 4004Cii Jetglo and me with his 4004L Fireglo

rickenbrother wrote:

bassman7365 wrote:Thanks.....hope I can work it all out with Erik and see you at MARF IV

If you're talking about Erik K's fireglo 4004L with the maple fingerboard, If I had the spare cash I would have beat you to it. I've played it, it's a great bass! GET IT!

Erik with my 4004Cii Jetglo and me with his 4004L Fireglo

Erik&Joey.jpg

That is the one Will have to be my last acquisition for a while though. Have put a pleasant strain on the wallet

and is that a 4003s behind you two?

marcinkus wrote:The neck of the Ci is very thin... the Cii have rounder, D profile necks but they are very very stable and deadspot free. In my opinion one of the reasons of the full and clear sound is just the neck.

My guess is it depends on the year of manufacture. I have a Cheyenne ( I think this is what you're refering to as Ci) made in '98 and its neck is pretty stout, nothing like my 4001's or 4003 in thickness. I also have an early 4004Cii (2000 or 2001) where the neck pickup is set back from the base of the neck and its neck is fairly similar in thickness to the Cheyenne.

My '95 4004C has the wider but flatter neck profile and is very comfortable.

bassman7365 wrote:and is that a 4003s behind you two?

It's a 4001S from '81. It has a set neck. It's one of my favorites.