Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I wasn't planning on this, but I made the fatal mistake of entering a music store, expecting to buy something inexpensive. I saw this on the wall, compounded my mistake by playing it, and one thing led to another.

Weight: 9.5lbs. A bit heavier than I'd like, but fairly typical for a maple Ric. I have a SBL padded strap, so it's not that burdensome.

Thoughts:

- This Rickenbacker is better built than I knew the company was capable of. While my 4003SW was US Fender good, this one is next level. It compares well to my Kiesels.
- The new bridge/tail: Surprisingly really good. I've been able to get the action dialed exactly where I want it with no fuss. The only complaint I have is how tiny the saddle allen key is. Mine disappeared into a black hole after setting the instrument up and I cannot find it...
- Tone: Really punchy and aggressive, while also really clear. It sounds like a piano.
- Fit and finish: Flawless. They even did a mini-burst in the truss rods cavity, under the Rickenbacker cover. That's a level of anal-retentiveness that I've never seen before in a musical instrument.

I'm really impressed.

Very nice!
I really like that.
Congrats!

Beautiful

Congrats! That's gorgeous!

Congrats on the new bass.

Is the fingerboard finish different from the usual 4003 gloss?

bluewhale wrote:Congrats on the new bass.

Is the fingerboard finish different from the usual 4003 gloss?

Yes indeed - it's a thin and even matte finish as well. It looks great!

Very nice, congratulations, that new bridge looks really nice too

thx1955 wrote:Very nice, congratulations, that new bridge looks really nice too

It's a nicely over-engineered little design -- a bit intricate, but completely eliminates the need to go Hipshot. Way to go, Rickenbacker!

Koshchei wrote:

thx1955 wrote:Very nice, congratulations, that new bridge looks really nice too

It's a nicely over-engineered little design -- a bit intricate, but completely eliminates the need to go Hipshot. Way to go, Rickenbacker!

I don't mean to be a downer, but, it sure took them long enough!

teeder wrote:
I don't mean to be a downer, but, it sure took them long enough!

Nobody could ever accuse RIC of acting in haste.

Well, maybe it was worth the wait.

teeder wrote:
Well, maybe it was worth the wait.

It's always worth the wait, I'm still waiting on a v68 or a re-issue 4005

Congratulations! A beautiful bass!!! I pinch a piece of Scotch tape over the long end of the Allen wrench, to help me see it, if it falls.

Beautiful! Congratulations!!!

thx1955 wrote:It's always worth the wait, I'm still waiting on a v68 or a re-issue 4005

I'm standing in both of those lines, too.