Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I passed on that '76 4001 too rough for me. Still hunting!

Which Rick Bass do you prefer & why?

Thanks,

Glenn

'70s basses are great. In fact ALL of then are great. I love my '76 4001, but my '84 4003 is wonderful too, as is my '08 4003 FL and my '08 4004. But then, my '09 4003 is pretty spectacular too as is my '10 4003.

So, there you have it. They're ALL great...

I agree. I love the sound and feel of my 73 4001. My 2011 4003 is no slouch either. The neck is really good and sounds amazing as well.

Sepp

79 4001's are usually great deals and players. Watch out for 78's though. Something hit or miss about that year.

Older Ric basses are subject to a lot of abuses/ neglect,so you just have to be a bit selective. It took me a few years to get my 74 4000 up to speed,but it is a great player now. However,most of the time i prefer to use my 2 2004 4004's,which i think are the shizzle. I really would like to check out a new 4003 the next time i am in sfo or pdx.

I lucked out on my 1976 4001FL--beat to hell but structurally very sound when I bought it. Still, I think I prefer the most recent 4003s over anything.

So, question:

Is a 70's 4001 worth investing in? I've had thoughts of getting one at some point, but is it worth it when the new 4003s are as great as they are? I suppose if one is investing, it definitely would be, but I buy instruments to play them. No case queens here.

Just looking for some guidance!

coolingitdown wrote:So, question:

Is a 70's 4001 worth investing in? I've had thoughts of getting one at some point, but is it worth it when the new 4003s are as great as they are? I suppose if one is investing, it definitely would be, but I buy instruments to play them. No case queens here.

Just looking for some guidance!

No. Frankly.
I have a '74 4001, it's great, but it has its flaws like the trussrod system, the tailpiece etc..
The necks are really thin though, which is great,but you can always shave the neck of a 4003.
The pickups have less windings, but again, you can alter that too on a 4003.
The rest is pretty much the same, except aesthetically; the horns on a new 4003 are thinner and the headstock has walnut wings.
The skunk stripe dissapeared.
If you need a player's bass, I'd say get yourself a used 4003 and do any modification you like.

I'd say...try to make it to a confluence so you can try out a well set-up 4001 so you can decide if you like them before you buy one. They're definitely a different animal than a new 4003. Some prefer old, some prefer new.

You could also try to find a local music shop that has an old 4001 to try out...But I have to say... I've seen/played/heard some really terribly set-up 4001's at my local music shops. It's not fair to compare a beautiful new 4003 with a 30 year old 4001 that has a crackly switch and jack, is poorly set up and has dead old strings.

cjj wrote:'70s basses are great. In fact ALL of then are great. I love my '76 4001, but my '84 4003 is wonderful too, as is my '08 4003 FL and my '08 4004. But then, my '09 4003 is pretty spectacular too as is my '10 4003.

So, there you have it. They're ALL great...

I almost completely agree with you except for that I'm not too fond of the early 4003's with the truss rod adjustments at the body end of the neck and the two piece pickguards.

rickenbrother wrote: I almost completely agree with you except for that I'm not too fond of the early 4003's with the truss rod adjustments at the body end of the neck and the two piece pickguards.

...but you have to admit, that this series never had a tail lift!

I've actually been to a SCARF and a mini-con now, but have yet to try a 4001.

I'll give one a test drive next time.

heinpete wrote:...but you have to admit, that this series never had a tail lift!

True, but the minimal amount of tail lift that some of my Ricks have, has never been an issue for me.
I now there have been some cases where the tail lift was excessive. Usually due to string sets with alot of tension, but some people make too big of a deal about a little tail lift. Just my own humble opinion.

coolingitdown wrote:I've actually been to a SCARF and a mini-con now, but have yet to try a 4001.

I'll give one a test drive next time.

I'll make sure of that!

To say that newer 4003's are better basses is a false statement.Old 4001 truss rods are not an issue when set up correctly.In fact once tightened,you hardly ever have to adjust the neck!The early aluminum sand cast bridges are by far superior to the newer zinc ones.They never have tail lift and the bridge to base fit is better as well.The new 4003 rick bass is entirely different in many ways.From feel to components.They are also great basses(except for the bridge)but entirely different.In my humble opinion,you should have both,as they are two really different basses

patience,......this is the decision of a lifetime,.....wait on the perfect 4001. It is the bass that changed the world!