Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Pardon the shock-value title. This is my first post.

I play bass and will be looking to add a Ric. As with Fenders, many players fawn over the classic instruments of yore.

But, what would be "missing" if I got a brand new 4003? It is a Ric, isn't it? Is the 4001 vibe alive in the 4003?

I was looking for a 4003/S5 only to find them discontinued. I'm not sure, yet, what the "S" stands for.

Anyway, I'll be trying to learn more of the S5 (color schemes, etc.) as I look around. Mapleglo is my 1st pick, by the way.

Anyway, I did have a Mapleglo 4001(?) in 1978, but I couldn't use it much for the music I was playing at the time. And 2 basses was beyond my means (I was a musician!). All info is appreciated.

Paul

My first was a '98 4003, and an '89 4003/8 followed not long after. Haven't compared side-by-side to a vintage 4001, but the rare 4001 i've played doesn't feel or sound too much different (well, sound is subjective, and it's amazing how two similar basses with similar p/u's can sound totally different).

The 'S' designation means no binding (smooth contoured body sides). Nicer to play IMO.

Ric only do production runs of a certain model or color finish for a short time (some like the Fireglow 4003 for example will probably continue forever). That's why you see some people reaching for $10K for a piece of wood. ;o)

Paul-welcome to the forum.

each instrument era has its own "character" and notables. I had a beautiful 4001 MG that the previous owner popped the fretboard. The newr pieces have better truss rod systems (IMHO) nut the feel is different.

My only advice is buy 'em now-worry about paying for them later;o

Paul ... welcome ... the s means special ... no binding, no stereo ric-o-sound, and no triangular inlays ... Most of the Rics that went to England in the 60's were s models ... it was supposed to be a cheaper model with a few less frills ...

Here's a 1990 4003s5, a 1968 4001, and a 1993 4004



and another pic of my 4003s5 ...

Hey, thanks everyone. Good info.

Jeff, I've only seen 4003/S5. Looks great to me. I'll look around for info on that model, but does anyone know off-hand if it only came in this "S" configuration? I guess the "regular" model would be a 4003/5? I guess I'll look for a 4003/5VP and UP if it exists (I'm getting better at the options letters!)

"nut the feel is different..."

Moron, its supposed to read "but the feel is different"

Gotta get the spell checker running

all of the 4003 5 string were s models ... also all of the 4003 8 string were also s models ... Chris Squire's famous 4001 and Paul McCartney's famous 4001 were also s models ...

And currently Ric is not making an S model ... although the 4001C64 could be considered an s model ...

Jared ... don't feel bad ... I make lots of typos too ...

here's another 4003s5 pic ...

As Jeff mentioned, there are only S versions of the 5 string (4003/S5). There was an earlier incarnation of the 8 string bass (the 4008) which is still an S style, but with a strighter headstock than the later 4003/S8.

The only way to find a "regular" model in a 5 or 8 is if Jeff modifies on of his to that spec...

Yes Jared, sounds like like a freudian slip back there with your nuts.

Paul ... I prefer the newer Rics 1986 and later ... better truss rod, hotter pickups, no bass cut capaciter ... but the old ones are cool too ...

Great pics.

Jeff, you must be referring to the "standard" pickups? (which is good news). I didn't know if the VP option was available or desired on a 4003/S5.

Yea, I really would buy a new Fender (and Ric!) before picking up a vintage. They are every bit as desireable and have modern niceties, too.

Actually the 4003s5 and the 4003s8 both came with the toaster neck pickup ... I like the hot high gain in the bridge without the capaciter and the toaster in the neck ... that's my choice ... the toaster neck pickup is a vp option on the regular 4003 model ...

Some players here prefer the old 60's and 70's pickups with the capaciter, and some prefer 2 high gains ... those are all good choices ... with different sounds ...

There was no VP option on the the 5 or 8 string basses. All the 4003/S5s or 8s shipped with toasters in the neck position, and modern high gains in the bridge, which is what the VP option would give you on other basses. A special 5 pole pickup is in the S5 bridge position, where the S8 uses a regular 4 pole pickup.

The only upgrades available for these basses was the black trim (BT) or vintage case. I prefer the standard cases myself, as they are more protective than the old style cases.

Interesting. The "S5" sounds like a great bass in the stock setup. It figures, since whatever I want is discontinued (my grocery store does this to me all the time. I find something I like and it's discontinued in a month!). ARRRRGGHH!!!

yep ... the 4003s5 is an awesome bass ... the main problem is has a tight string spacing ... 2 1/4" at the bridge ... most 5 strings are 2 1/2" to 2 3/4" ... but I love the tight spacing because I have smaller hands ... also the low b should really be 34" to 35" and the 4003s5 is 33 1/4"

but every once in a while a used 4003s5 will crop up on ebay ... or somewhere ... I grabbed 3 for myself

here's some links to some pics

http://www.3dentourage.com/90-blue.htm
http://www.3dentourage.com/89-4003s5.htm
http://www.3dentourage.com/68-ric.htm
http://www.3dentourage.com/4004L5.htm