Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hi everybody. Just becoming re-acquainted with the forum. I have come to a terrible realization that I need help working my way around, if possible. I've been lusting after a Rickenbacker bass (particularly a 4001/3 model, ideally "S" style) for some time. Having gotten to try several now, I've found the necks are all wide enough at the nut to be nearly unplayable for me. I've tried everything from a '78 4001 to an '83 4003, to a 2010 4003, to a C64S, and a few others I can't remember the exact year or model of right off hand. I'm only about 5 foot 6 and have short fingers to boot. On any other bass the solution would be simple, have a luthier shave the neck down a bit. But with the extra space necessary for the dual truss rod system, is this even possible on a Ric without jeopardizing the structural integrity of the neck? I don't even need the neck to be super flat if I can get it narrow enough. I'm not asking for a J-Bass neck, but maybe something right in the middle. Any input or suggestions would be greatly appreciated, because I'm at a bit of a loss now. Thanks.

There are some older threads about neck measurements:

viewtopic.php?f=31&t=399814
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=399923
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=280979

I don't know what has happened to the spreadsheet that is referred to in these threads.

It might be worth your while to try to attend a Confluence where you would be able to play a variety of models and years to get a first-hand feel (literally!) for any particular bass.

Thank you very much. That third thread in particular looks like it might shed a little light. I'll have to have a closer look at it later. But from what little I've gathered from the casual glance I've taken, it looks like I'll have to shell out some serious cash for a real vintage bass to get a small enough neck.

I have short stubby fingers as well, but I don't find this an issue on anything but the widest of 5 string bass necks! I don't know, perhaps over the years I have sub-consciously altered my playing style to suit?

The slinkiest neck on any bass I've owned was on a natural finish Warwick Streamer Stage I (4 string). The 5 string version is like a baseball bat though IMHO!

I don't have any problems with the neck on my '78 4001, seems fine to me? I don't think trying to skim down the neck on a Ric is going to work without weakening it significantly.

Easy, 1974.

1968...
Or if you want scary thin, '62....

You're gonna need a bigger boat, ahem,,, I mean wallet....

My '86 4003 MID/BT/BH is 39 mm at the nut. The smallest Rickenneck I've had sofar. My ex '73 4001 was close with 40 mm.

Mathew,

I own a 2000 v63 that has been modified. In order to replicate the feel of a late 60's 4001, the owner had the neck slimmed to match the profile of the model year he had back in the day, if I remember correctly. So to answer your question, yes it's possible to shave down the neck.

I'd offer to measure it to get an idea of the process but I do not have it with me at the moment.

Sepp

You want a narrower neck? Go for a Steinberger L2. Not that they pop up often!

But seriously...a RICKENBACKER nut width is so wide for you that its "unplayable"? That is really surprising. I can't say I've ever heard that before. It's not a '59 Precision we're talking about here.

John, he even said this about my 2010 4003 when I let him try it, which had a skinnier nut and profile than most Rics (1 & 5/8'', almost a Jazz Bass). So I think he's being completely serious when he says he needs SKINNY.

If it were me I might get a short scale Jazz Bass put together from Warmoth and put the single coil pickups in Ric positions or wherever I thought they should go. Also definitely check out the budget Hofners, they are really quite good sounding and the necks are indeed tiny. If I still had my dad's old Japanese copy I'd let you try it. They are terrible for getting "that Ric sound" though, and I'm not sure if that's what you're after.

What kind of bass do you currently play Mathew?

Gosh i'd love a Bass VI. It's on my must-own list but I wouldn't use it enough to justify the cost.

sloop_john_b wrote:

Wait for the 2013 Squier VM Erik.