Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Anyone have any insight on the 2016 4003 pickups?
I recently bought a 4003 and it sounded horrible. And that is being kind.
No definition, very woomy-boomy with no punch or thud.
Couldn't get any high end response at all. Sounded worse than a Jazz Bass played through a feather pillow.

I swapped the pickups with a JBE R4000 set, and it now sounds amazing.
All of the classic Rickenbacker sound with no single coil hum.
Even the "vintage switch" position sounds official now...
I was ready to sell it until the JBE set was installed. Now, it's a keeper....

Were the Ric pickups bad or are they all like this now ?

Thanks

Wiring issues it would seem. Sorry you ran into this difficulty.

So, I am assuming this is not a from the factory new bass or you probably would have done the warranty thing. I would suggest going to the Winding Up With The Best: by Sergio Silva in the main Index and see if anyone there might be able to offer some ideas. Good luck with it. Please keep us posted.