El-Degas Rickenbacker 4001/4003 Clone

This bass was made in the 1970's in Japan. No real way to tell you what year it was made. It is a nock off of the Rickenbaker but the neck is wider and has a different feel than the Rick. The Pickups are nothing special I assume still stock. I find that Guitars and basses made in Japan in the 1970's are better than anything made in factories today (Custom shops omitted of course, I don't have $5,000 for a guitar)\.

I like this clones neck compared to a Rickenbacker's neck. It is smother and has a better feel. The neck feels more like a Fender neck, although it is a painted, body through design. It does the Rick sound well but the neck is different. I hate the logo on the head stock. It looks cheap, I want to take it off but it protects the truss rode so it stays on for now. All round the instrument looks cheap. i have seen some really good looking clones, but this one needs some upgrades to look better. Sounds good, looks cheap. The Amp I use is a 1970's Kustom with an 1970's Ampeg 2x15 cabinet with JBL speakers. when I am traveling light i use a 1X15 Ampeg classic speaker cabinet. I like to play distorted bass so I use a 1976 Electro Harmonix little big Muff. I like my 70's set up. My main bass is a 1976 Rickenbaker but lately I have been using a Guild 302 from 1978 it has more attack and less sustain perfect for feedback and distortion.

It is used so I don't know how well it was set up. There is some obvious wear on it. I get a nasty buzz from the fret dot, it is coming out and sticking out. I will have to glue it down. I replaced the bridge with a Rick bridge. The Stock bridge was sub par so I thought the upgrade was neccesary. I am thinking of changing the Tunner machines cause the ones on them look like crap, they do hold their tune but again if you put some work in the bass it will sound way better and look slightly better

besides being a 30 year old instrument it is holding well . pickup still work, I also had to redo the Input jack as they were craping out on me. even the best made gear needs servicing. On the issue of would I need a back up for it,no, it is the backup.

there is none. Hope you have a good tech.

This bass is a great back up to your Rick 4001-4003. The neck is notice ably different but it still capture the Rick tone. It is different than Rick in weight and feel but bottom line, it still has that unique Rick tone. If it was stolen I wouldn't really care. Its a good instrument but nothing special. This is my back up to my Rick 4001 and for the most part it sits in the case

Mid 70's Ric bass clone, made in Japan.
20 frets; 4 string
Neck-thru conscruction - solid as a rock
Beautiful "Fireglo" burst finish w/ Cream Binding
Mono and Stereo outputs
I got this with a shaped hardcase
I upgraded to strap-locks for safety while playing.

I play metallic hardcore and still this vintage styled bass is perfect.
I play this through a vintage Garnet Deputy Tube Head & Garnet cab - the sound is loud and fat. The full range is well represented, but when I turn up the bass, look out!
Tweaking the controls on the bass for each pickup admitedly does not always have a night and day difference. The pickups on this one have some hiss to them when set to the high side of the tone control.
I love my tone. I run this through a Korg multi-effects pedal but am switching over to mostly Boss effects pedals (overdrive, chorus, synth, etc.). I find the bass sounds best with some compression and a light attack - there can be clicking and buzzing (though it seems to be from my playing style and some difficulties I've been having lately with setting the action to my liking).
Absolutely great for stage performance (in tems of both sound and sight).

Bought used, so no opinion on the original setup.
The neck pickup was broken, but I had a tech rewind it and it now works great. The frets are slightly worn but still in great shape. Minor imperfection on fretboard.
Everything else A-1. Wood is great, tuners are a bit loose to the touch but keep in tune solidly. All other hardware rock-solid.
I have been playing this with my new band much more, and I find I am having trouble both setting the action and the bridge saddles for intonation. I play tuned down one whole tone on every string (DGCF), so intonation is a big issue - it must be good. The action must be perfect to prevent buzzing and other unwanted noise - I'm absolutely positive I will get it right.
A year ago I woudl give it a solid 10, but now I will make it a bit lower because of some of these difficulties.

Solid, solid, solid.
IThe only things that need upgrading ever in my opinion:
-Add straplocks (Done - a necessity)
-Upgrade tuners to true Schallers? (Have been solid - more for cosmetic reasons to get the true Ric tuner look)
-I don't know where the truss rod is let alone how to adjust it.
-I play this without a backup simply because I do not have one. Chances are that once I buy a new bass (my eye is on a Fender Jazz, Gibson Thunderbird IV, and real Ric 4003) this one would be my backup.

Who knows. I take this to a trusted guitar tech and let them handle it. Is El Degas even in business anymore???

I've been playing for about 3 years and this bass is the reason I was able to do it.
I wouldn't be able to find another like it if it was lost/stolen/destroyed but would get one again for the nostalgia.
For the deal I got, it sounds as good as anyone else's bass I've heard.
I just wish I could get this action/intonation worked out.