Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Before anyone gets too upset, let me say that this is just an idea at this stage, I am far from taking action.

I have an '03 4003 with a rather thick neck and I have thought before about the possibility of thinning it down a bit. For one, I will never sell this bass, it has far too much history with me. I also have had a lot of problems with the neck getting really sticky. I sweat a lot, so I probably wouldn't miss having a gloss finish on the back of the neck.

My questions are really just, how thin can I go before I run the risk of getting too close to the rods, and how likely is it that I will create warping/bowing issues by doing this. And are there are tonal differences to expect?

I don't think I would make it too thin... maybe just take the finish off plus another 1/16"

The neck also has a C shape right now that I would probably try to make more D, I like necks that are kind flat on the back, but still have some shoulders.

Any thoughts/experiences?

Thanks in advance!

jake

I know what you mean by bigger, my '04 is that way. It is the most stable neck of the 6 I have. You could take off some without too much compromise, but 1/16" I defer to Paul W to judge. Just make an 8-string out of it - the neck would be great for that.

As for the sticky, try cleaning the back of the neck with napth (lighter fluid) then putting on 2 or 3 coats of Zymol car polish. It will be nice and smooth.

If you stick to a "D" shape, you'll be OK. It's when people go to a sharp "C" that they end up in trouble.

You can probably get up to .090" off the back with little difficulty. Taper the sides to meet it. Watch those edges--stick to the "D" profile and you'll be safe.

For a non-stick finish, you can do a matte nitro or conversion varnish on the back of the neck, It has a nice feel.

Iv'e been thinking of doing the same to one of my basses. I have a friend that can x-ray it for me to see exactly how far the rods are from the back of the neck. But how close can i get to them is the $64.00 question.
I'll probably chicken out though.

Sell it and buy one from 76-85!

jdogric12 wrote:Sell it and buy one from 76-85!

I thought that 71-72, 86 and 09 were slim, isn't it?

@Gil: My 1976 4001FL has the skinniest neck I've ever played on a bass that wasn't one of those paper-thin Ibanez things.

Over the years I've owned several Ric basses, and they have all been good. The '03 4003 had the biggest neck of all, and a killer tone. Yeah, it was a little bit on the chunky side, but it had real solid feel that I loved. I hate I had to sell it. It was a real beautiful bass. But financial matters forced my hand. I also sold my C64, but that didn't bother me. I wasn't anywhere near as fond of that bass as I was my V63 and 4003. Those 2 were mighty fine basses.

Gil, those are especially thin, but any of the years I listed would be a vast improvement over an 03.

cassius987 wrote:@Gil: My 1976 4001FL has the skinniest neck I've ever played on a bass that wasn't one of those paper-thin Ibanez things.

My '75 is also my slimmest neck, very comfortable.

Thanks for the advice, I may hold off. I have already taken some steel wool to the back of the neck to dull the finish a little, but it didn't really help the stickiness, I will try the Naptha.

I would feel pretty bad taking the finish completely off the neck as it is Montezuma Brown, but again, this bass has been through too much with me, I don't think I could ever sell it. Time to save up for an older Ric. Part of what sparked this was playing a '79 at a store the other day. Perfect neck thickness and awesome D shape, it felt great in my hand.

the thinnest neck is my '68. check the "girth" section for my specs. take your left hand and close your 4 fingers flat over the palm, resting your thumb on the side of the index finger...thats what the neck feels like with the strings. woods and boyer and noto have fondled this bass as well.