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Rickenbacker 4001 vs. 4003


Tarkus406
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Should I get a Rick 4001 or 4003?  

11 members have voted

  1. 1. Should I get a Rick 4001 or 4003?

    • 4001
      4
    • 4003
      7


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After my crappy experience with buying a 1975 Ric 4001 on ebay and having to fight for a refund, I'm on the prowl for a Ric once again. I'm wondering if anybody has a 4003? Does it sound the same as a 4001? What are the differences between them? Should I consider buying a new 4003 rather than a vintage 4001?

 

confused13.gif

 

4001:

http://www.lizzydaymont.com/images/Rickenbacker/4001/Rickfullfrontalopt.jpg

 

4003:

http://img3.musiciansfriend.com/dbase/pics/products/4/1/1/271411.jpg

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http://www.rickenbacker.com/forum_view_thr...01%20vs.%204003

 

 

QUOTE
The diferences between the 4001 & 4003 have been covered within previous threads, but, as an owner of both models I will be happy to explain them.

1. Basically, a 4003 is an updated, or improved version of the 4001. The 4003 was made to handle high-tension/Roundwound strings.
I believe the truss-rod system was improved in order to accomodate this type of strings.

2. To my ears, (And this has been stated in previous threads), the 4003 has better Bass output, or a higher low freq. response.
The 4001 is VERY trebly and NOT as bassy. If it's "Clank" you want, then the 4001 is the bass you want.

Finally, what you pay for a 4001 will depend on the year and condition. Basses from 1973(The transition year) and earlier will definately cost you big time.
Mid 70's to early 80's 4001's are still reasonably priced.
Edited by Sir Lerxst
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I like the 4001's. Most 4003's have a chunky neck and the headstocks are way to big and mis-shaped for my tastes. The 4001's can have more 'bass' to them if you remove the .047 cap. The newer 4003's have a push-pull pot to switch between the more trebley sound and the more bass-heavy tone.

I don't like the hotter pickups on the 4003's and the split pickguards that were first used on the 4003's are just silly.

 

My 4001 from 1981 is just fine......

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll215/TPesch2112/030-2.jpg

and my 1980 4001 is great too.....

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll215/TPesch2112/Rickenbacker4001Burgandyglo3-1.jpg

 

 

 

 

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QUOTE (ChroniclesOfRush @ Sep 13 2010, 09:30 AM)
Those are two sweet ass basses right there my friend. Holy. Crap. You can tell they are vintage due to the yellowing on the bindings. I like the black.

new_thumbsupsmileyanim.gif

Thanks. bekloppt.gif

The jetglo one was photographed yesterday in the early evening, so the sunlight on it was a bit golden being as it is getting close to fall, but yes, there is yellowing on both of them. No smoky rooms or being out of the case much for those two.

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4003's are newer and have reinforced truss rods. That is the only real difference between the two. The pickups are the newer "high output" Ric pickups which is why the above post claims they have more low end. Ric revamped these pickups several years ago. They have more output in general so of course there will be more low end. Ric still makes their more desirable "Toaster Top" pickups which are more vintage sounding. My 4001 has the high outputs from the 80's and the bass does lack in the low end, but good amps can compensate for that. But these instruments are not known for that, more for their mid range growl and the top end bite.

 

I think Geddy's Ric also has the Schaller's.

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Hmmm. Somebody else known uses Schallers then. Thought it was his. I am more familiar with his Fenders.
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Wellp, thanks folks. Decided on a 4003! Best to go with a brand new instrument with absolutely no problems rather than an old beater with hundreds of dollars worth of fixin up to do. Now I can put my own damn miles on this thing 1022.gif
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Well, since I own a 4001 from 1977, I guess you know how I voted... wink.gif

 

Here she is, among a few other (not all) of my basses... need to update the pic.

 

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s282/rushbass/myspace/DSC00345.jpg

 

Here's a close up of the Ric... the fingerprints are for extra character... wink.gif

 

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s282/rushbass/Miscellanious/834f2c4f.jpg

Edited by rushbass
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Well now that I'm a 4003 owner, I'm able to vote in this poll tongue.gif

 

The 4001's are a true classic, and I have great respect for them, but there's an infant 4003 in this room that'll get decades of care until it is also a cherished classic wink.gif

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More importantly... how in the hell do you finger the six string? That neck is massive!
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QUOTE (Mr. Krinkle @ Sep 24 2010, 12:03 AM)
QUOTE (CygnusX-1Bk2 @ Sep 23 2010, 04:07 PM)
More importantly... how in the hell do you finger the six string? That neck is massive!

Yeah, those things are like boat paddles. Way too wide for me, and I've got some big hands too.

Yep the Yamaha TRB-6P has a massive neck - but, I have long fingers, so I manage just fine... wink.gif

 

That bass is actually my main axe.

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I'm no Les Claypool or Victor Wooten. I'll stick to 4 strings. Had a Washburn 5 string years ago for about a month. The neck couldn't be adjusted properly so I took it back.
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QUOTE (CygnusX-1Bk2 @ Sep 25 2010, 12:56 AM)
I'm no Les Claypool or Victor Wooten. I'll stick to 4 strings. Had a Washburn 5 string years ago for about a month. The neck couldn't be adjusted properly so I took it back.

I've played a 5-string. I've played a 6-string. Hell one day I even played an 8-string which was ridiculous! I couldn't even get my hand around the neck.

 

So yeah, 4-strings are all I ever need.

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