4001 worth getting if I already have a 4003?

Vintage, Modern, V & C series, Fretless, Signature & Special Editions

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lumgimfong
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4001 worth getting if I already have a 4003?

Post by lumgimfong »

Someone local is offering me their late 70's 4001 at a very, very low price even though it is in really good shape.
But I already have a 4003 (same color).
This would be a good chance to get another Rickenbacker, as I only have one, and what with the prices of new ones being very high these days...

But is a 4001 just a 4003 with different truss rod system and a volute and a fat upper wave? Or is it different enough in other ways that it would be worth getting, even if I have a 2016 4003 already?

If I were to get a new Ricky these days it would be a 4003s or a 4004. So this purchase seems redundant to me. But maybe there are things about the 4001 I don't know about that you all could tell me.

Thanks for the info.
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bassduke49
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Re: 4001 worth getting if I already have a 4003?

Post by bassduke49 »

There were gradual changes/improvements in the 4001 up to the 4003 coming out, and I never really understood why they changed model numbers. RIC continued to make changes/improvements to the 4003 up to today. Photos of what you are looking at will help us date the instrument, but examine the jack plate to get the date/serial codes for us to decipher. Also, if you want to study all the detailed changes over the years, there's a book on that very subject! :D
Author: "The Rickenbacker Electric Bass - 50 Years As Rock's Bottom"
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opticnerve
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Re: 4001 worth getting if I already have a 4003?

Post by opticnerve »

If it's at a very, very low price, buy it & see for yourself.
If you don't bond with it, flip it.
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jdogric12
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Re: 4001 worth getting if I already have a 4003?

Post by jdogric12 »

I reckon the thickness and shape of the neck would be the biggest difference. I'd probably prefer the 4001!
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squirebass
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Re: 4001 worth getting if I already have a 4003?

Post by squirebass »

Yes, you need it because if you don't like it, you can sell it to ME!!! :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
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lumgimfong
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Re: 4001 worth getting if I already have a 4003?

Post by lumgimfong »

Remember you said that!!!! :D
I am going to check it out tomorrow.
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Isaac
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Re: 4001 worth getting if I already have a 4003?

Post by Isaac »

One with rounds, one with flats.
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jps
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Re: 4001 worth getting if I already have a 4003?

Post by jps »

Isaac wrote: Thu Jun 30, 2022 9:44 pm One with rounds, one with flats.
That's what I got.
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clasbas
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Re: 4001 worth getting if I already have a 4003?

Post by clasbas »

jps wrote: Fri Jul 01, 2022 2:49 am
Isaac wrote: Thu Jun 30, 2022 9:44 pm One with rounds, one with flats.
That's what I got.
Same here.
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Bands: 2
Bass: -64 and -67
Amp: Sunn 300T and Model T prototype
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lumgimfong
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Re: 4001 worth getting if I already have a 4003?

Post by lumgimfong »

Good point!!!
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rickenbrother
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Re: 4001 worth getting if I already have a 4003?

Post by rickenbrother »

clasbas wrote: Fri Jul 01, 2022 3:52 am
jps wrote: Fri Jul 01, 2022 2:49 am
Isaac wrote: Thu Jun 30, 2022 9:44 pm One with rounds, one with flats.
That's what I got.
Same here.
And here!
The JETGLO finish name should be officially changed to JETGLO ROCKS! :-)
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