Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

The latest price sheet posted on RIC website no longer lists the 4004 models. I know Ben recently said something about "no one orders them," but I guess this means it's official.

I got mine!
They've been around since 1992 so that was a good run, really. People are too stuck on the traditional look of the 4001/3 models to try something a bit different. Even if that little bit different "solves" all the complaints from the "haters" of the usual features.

R.I.P. 4004 series.

I wonder if it is also a signal that some of the features of the 4004, namely the bridge, will be gradually melded into the 4003? Will the new pickups featured on the prototypes of the "new" 4003S/5 start appearing on the 4003? We live in interesting times.

That's too bad. I always loved the looks and many of the features of the 4004's, but the few I've played had such an uncomfortably large neck that I never considered owning one. I also wished they had pu's located more like a J-bass. But, that was just my opinion.

That's too bad. Had checked this pricelist last week, but didn't even notice the 4004 was no longer listed. Although I already have a few 4004s, I still have a trans green on my wishlist.

What I'd really like to know is if RIC will offer the trans finishes on basses, and where all the 4004Cii curly maple is going?

Peterbuilt wrote:That's too bad. Had checked this pricelist last week, but didn't even notice the 4004 was no longer listed. Although I already have a few 4004s, I still have a trans green on my wishlist.

Something like this?

The 4004 is just on hiatus for a short time. We have some adjustments to make to it. Yes, the HB's will stay.

Good to hear, Ben!

RIC_FACTORY wrote:The 4004 is just on hiatus for a short time. We have some adjustments to make to it. Yes, the HB's will stay.

very good to hear that the 4004 will continue to evolve along!

Thanks for setting record straight, Ben. Sorry if we jumped the gun by seeing the model removed from the price list.

RIC_FACTORY wrote:The 4004 is just on hiatus for a short time. We have some adjustments to make to it. Yes, the HB's will stay.

This is good news! I’ve owned 3 and thought I was going to the used market. Happy to wait for perfection

I would rather have a transitional model that joins features of the 4003S, like its slab body and the classic dot inlays (vs. microdots), with the not-actually-that-modern but practical features of the 4004, like the Schaller style bridge and a mechanism to deal with 60 Hz hum (I'd prefer RWRP to series humbucking, though). That seems like the real Fender killer.

I don't think anyone should worry that the 4001/4003 flagship bass in its current form is going disappear. It will continue to be a money maker for RIC through the foreseeable future. There's plenty of room at the table for something a bit different.

I don't remember there being any announcement from RIC, or any discussion of it here, but I think the 4004 was put on hold some time around 2006-2007 while they switched to CNC construction. For me that meant a two-and-a-half-year gap between order and delivery of my (non-lefty) 2008 4004 Cii in mapleglo.

I don't plan to order a second one, but for the Cii, I always liked Blueburst, and also the combination of Jetglo with gold hardware.

bluewhale

Great news!