Rickenbacker 4003 Bass

Mine is a 2006 Ric 4003 in Mapleglo: Dual-truss rods, neck through construction, seperate tone & volume controls for bass and treble. 3 way toggle switch for neck, bridge and combined pick-up configuration. It has Schaller locking tuners, single coil hum protected high gain pick-ups (pasiive electronics), mono and stereo(the famous ric-o-sound)output jacks, mechanical mute, the newly added push-pull treble knob for high frequncy boost. Maple neck & body.

Are you Kidding me? This bass has got balls! Its got that famous and distinctive growl that no other bass can match. A wide varitety of tones are available simply by playing on either the neck (warm & bassy) or the bridge ( more trebly and bright) The frequeecy boost feature on the new rics gives it even more tonal varieties-crunchier mids akin the Chris squire limited edition 4001 Ric put out a few years ago. Haven't done any studio work with it, but live, this bass holds it down!

These bases are not known for being set up well from the factory, but I did not have that problem. I ordered it from Muscians's friend and the actions was right where I like it right out of the case, neck was straight, tuners tight beautiful finish. As far as the finish is concerned the only flaw i could dsicern is that it had the potential to blind you when reflecting light- it was that shiney. This bass is beautiful. No problems with saddle or frets-all top of the line hand crafted quality you would expect from Rickenbacker. This is a first class operation making a top of the line quality instrument.

Bass is built like a tank. Im not one of these guys who hangs these ric's on a wall to jerk off too beacause I wanted one for show-This is my main axe so finish/looks take a backseat to making music. I gig without backup all the time and it looks and sounds just as good today as when I first got it a year ago. Haven't had to adjust neck yet but I plan to take it in for a tune-up soon just for proper maintenence purposes.

I believe its one year on finish and tuners (one of these other posts will specify)and something else for the body and neck, really im not sure. Never dealt with company and don't think I will ever have to. No opinion.

For a hand crafted instrument of this quality Ric could charge alot more. Been making music and playing instruments since I was in kindergarten. I have tried jazz basses, stingrays, some Ibenez's, uprights-I like this bass better then all of them. The new thinner neck and updated features revealed with the 2006 models are really nice. I not a huge fan of the bridge though- kind of antiquated. Thinking about making the change to the Hip shot replacement bridge (which I have been hearing good things about) But for know the Ric's vintage appeal has me satiated. Curved lines on the body would make is more confortable to play but thats a minor quibble. If it was lost or stolen would replace asap. Excellant resale value on this bass as well- You'll get your money back and possibly more due to its relative rareness. As far as not being good for slap and pop thats Rickdiculous (as far as the new ones go)all you need is heavier gauge strings and a little bit of compression/equalization and your in fender jazz bass land: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_evMBRIm2rY, http://www.youtube.com//watch?v=LjOM5YjMZ8w&mode=related&search=, case closed....!

1983 Ric 4003, first version. Maple body. Maple neck, with rosewwod fretboard & MOP sharktooth inlays, and dual trussrod. 2 RIC single coil "High Output" pickups, neck volume & tone, bridge volume & tone, 3 way pickup switch, and dual output; standard and "Ric-O-Sound"; designed for use with the Ric-O-Sound box, sold seperately. The bridge has the traditional string dampener.

Ricenbackers have a sound all there own, and RIC's are consistant, they don't have big sound differences from one 4003, to the next. I've never come across another bass that had 2 pickups that sounded so different, but if you look at their physical position on the bass, their actually more like a neck and middle positon, where as most 2 pickup basses have their neck pickup in the spot the 4003 has bridge pickup, the neck pickup on a 4003 is about 1" below the neck. The neck picup is more bassy, and muffled, and the bridge is more bright and kind of clanky (but in a good way). I never tried running it through the Ric-O-Sound box, but who else really has.

4003's are not good finger style basses, horable for slapping (unless you like the pop of strings touching the pickup), and I mainly use mine for pickstyle, which the action is perfect for. The finish is 24 years old, but doesn't look a day over 10. When I got my 4003, dampener skrews were missing. The dampener is where the ground wire conects, so it buzzed like crazy, also there were no springs in the neck pickup, but it was used, thus not RIC's fault.

I never had a problem with mine, other then the simple fix mentioned above. I was always afraid to touch the truss rods on these, but on some RIC 4003's you can replace the rods.

New a RIC has a 1 year warranty, and that's voided if it doesn't have RIC strings (and yes, they can tell). They also have no custom shop and will do NO one off basses or guitars (unless your names Lemmy). Plus if you want a certain color, you buy it when you see it, otherwise it can take 6-8 months to get one custom ordered ( and I've heard you should expect it in 8).

Anyone buying a 4003 is more then likely going for that old 4001 sound, and this bass doesn't disappoint. If a company were to come around now and put out a bass like this; a but chanky, kinda weak in the low end, pickups that seem to have no power, tuners that rattle, and a body that's routed out more then any solidbody bass out there, chances are that company would fail (or retool and make Fender wannabes). But the design's been around for so long and everyone has a place in their heart for a RIC. Plus RIC is one of the cheapest basses made by such a small company by hand.

2005, 20 Frets, USA Made,
2 volume, 2 tone controls,
toggle switch for pickups
ric-o-sound and normal mono outputs
Midnight Blue Finish
Dual Truss-Rod
Short-Scale
Included Case
Bought used at Guitar Center Summer of 2006
Maple Neck/Body
Polished Silky-Smooth Rosewood Fretboard with triangle markers

I was originally out seeking a Fender P-Bass of sorts last summer, leaning towards the American made ones that start around $1000. I was really having a hard time getting a vibe from them. I think the thump sound is classic, but it wasn't thrilling me or making want to fork out the checkbook. Then...
KaBoom! I stroll into Guitar Center and right smack dab in the middle of a wall of P-Basses is one lonely, sparkling, amazing Rickenbacker 4003 in mint condish. Granted my amps at home are definitely beginner's trash, but through the Ampeg it stunned me. It brought a sound I can only describe as a "GRowl" for the bass, which is something that hooked me into the buy.
There are so many good tones from this instrument, you can be deep, bassy, and balzy, or you can be bright, shimmery, and poppy; your choice. I find the Ric-O-Sound jack to be an amazing addition for those with good equipment (hence the reason I don't use it) I would recommend using the Ric-O-Sound kit to hook it up if you have two amps or would like one dedicated for your amp and one dedicated for the soundboard at a concert or what not. Its basically like having control over treble in one amp, and your bass in the other amp/sound board. However it is most intriguing and I get a lot of questions about why my bass has two output jacks.

The only problem I have with the sound is an occasional humming from the pickups. They are hot and heavy, but I've noticed that my bass doesn't sound nearly as loud as many electric guitar setups I've heard since they daisy-chain numerous effects together. The better your cables the less the hum, also a ground lift helps on a direct box, or your amp's direct out. A quick fix is to turn the treble tone knob down to 1 or 0 and virtually all hum is irradicated while sacrificing just a bit on sound quality.

The sound is indeed Rich and full. My guitarist pleaded with me that I use the Rick at our next gig. I decided to bring out the old OLP (musicman copy) instead and he immediately noticed that it wasn't the Rick and it wasn't Growling.

Mixed with a good solid amp this bass holds up amazingly. I use the normal Rickenbacker String set and haven't felt the need to change. The fretboard being polished and glossy provides a smooth playing field and super easy slides and overall fingering feels very comfortable. The shorter scale length also helps with less finger stretching when playing octaves or even the occasional 10th

If I were professionally recording I would probably get better cables and not stand directly in front of a high watt light or high watt TV or monitor. I think the hum would be eliminated. I've done a little self recording and I get more noise from my keyboard than I do from this so its not that noticeable.

Sound WAS the main reason why I bought this bass. I give it a 9 for the hum, but it can be avoided if you are well grounded and everything else you play through is well grounded.

Bass was set up properly and professionally by the original owner just 6 months before I bought it at guitar center.
The bridge pickup did not include the metal cover but I'm not unhappy. I normally rest my thumb on that area by the bridge pickup anyway so it would have probably just gotten in the way.
If you use the Rick cloth this thing shines up very quickly. Apply a light portion of guitar polish (non abrasive and non-chemical) and it really busts out some shining glory.
Sweat NEEDS to be wiped off after you play
I've gone a few times without wiping the neck and fretboard down and the sweat dries onto the lacquer like finish reducing slide ability and making some "rough" spots where your thumb may stick to.

There was only one noticeable spot on the fretboard where the guy must have really pushed his finger into the fret leaving a little scratch mark in the polished rosewood. I have not been able to scathe this baby even in the 8 months I've had it. The fretboard is supposed to last 25yrs. I don't think it will ever break down if it has stayed this solid over the past 8 months.

All other controls and tuners work fine
I am also a big advocate of Strap Locks, they do indeed prevent accidental slippage and damage due to strap fall off

This bass has been to many Campus Crusade events in the past year.
The most time I had ever used it consecutively was during a practice set for a 4 day period in Indiana. I played for 9hrs straight during rehearsal and then at least 3-4hrs per day for the next 4 days. It stood up solidly even with 8month old strings. The best sound I've ever had with it came from that weekend. Probably due to the 8,000 Watt subs that it was running through. MASSIVE.
Tuners tune very well and most importantly STAY in tune.
Finish buffs up so clean its like a newly waxed Porsche
Straps with locks stay on like cement
I've never had the neck/truss rod adjusted because it doesn't need it
I have and continue to use it without a backup
but I do have my lovely OLP just in case

Haven't had to deal with them
I also don't know if my warranty is any good
because I filed it, but I wasn't the original owner


... oh well

I've been actively playing bass for the past 2yrs. Total of 6yrs between guitar and bass. I've also been playing piano for about 10-12yrs. I run the Rick through a GK 600 Backline head and backline 2x10 BLX-II cab with a Behringer 15"cab below. The sound is truly immense. I would not have done this transaction any differently than the day I bought it. For $1000 it was a steal. 3 other people were ready to lay down the grand but I got there first. Yippie for ME!!
If it were stolen by a bassist I'd ask him to try it and while he went into a bassist's ecstasy period I'd be able to steal it back no problem. The joy lasts for about a week straight before you realize that you now own a Rick.
I love the sound. I don't love the hum (but its really not that bad)
My favorite part of this bass is the ease of playability. It will let you do whatever you wanted to do on your other bass, but ten times easier and ten times more rockin'
I chose this over a P-Bass, a Jazz Bass, and numerous other basses. I think if I ever sold my OLP I'd get a P-bass probably because of the classic thump. But for now I'd gladly miss the thump for the Growl of a Rick.
I would never sell this bass unless someone offered me a brand new one for free, or would at least trade me for it.

My particular 4003 was manufactured in the early 80s during a period in the manufacturer's history when they strayed from the standard colors. Mine has a "satin silver" finish with black hardware.

The changes I've made to it include a Hipshot bass detuner on the E-string (which I will add allows me to drop my E-string all the way down to a B, thank you very much), and the addition of two black-capped mini-toggle switches (one for each pickup) that allow me to instantly bypas the tone control setting and go to "full bright". (Between that, the pickup selector and what I can do with my fingers I've a very wide selection in overtones or lack thereof.)

The spring-wire "Rikky sound" (ala Gary Strater or Chris Squire) notwithstanding, I can get a very usable range of sounds out of my 4003, even though I string it ONLY with either RotoSound 606LC "Funkmasters" (the original PSD string) or LaBella Super Steps, both in a moderately light guage. The exposed core contributes to brightness and sustain, and my frets are in quite good shape considering these string sets are fully round-wound, although it's worth pointing out that I don't abuse the fretboard for the sake of "tone".

Considering I originally came from the Fender Precision camp (when they were all made only made in the USA and weighed enough to give you a workout over the course of a night), my 4003 produces a full, deep fundamental that works well enough to satisfy those full-treble-rolloff fanatics at the studio or in the audience.

My musical mainstays are (in no particular order) early Motown, Jazz and neo-classical Prgressive Rock, although I've used my 4003 for just about everything including Beach, Country and Bluegrass with good result.

My main stage amp system includes ADA MB-1 and MP-1 preamps, Aphex Aural Exciter 104, Digitech DSP-256XLs for eq and effects, DBX-120 subharmonic synthesizer, and a Peavey 400-WRMS amp top running 12-inch and 15-inch drivers. My studio system consists of a Zoom BFX-708 and a Peaver TKO-65 portable bass amp.

My 4003 was well made and it's been reliable throughout it's life. I expected a quality manufactired instrument and paid dearly for it, and that's exactly what I got.

I take very good care of my equipment, instruments included. Aside from a routine polishing with Super Hard Shell Turtle Wax (yeah, the stuff for cars....and it's absolutely the best stuff I have ever used), my 4003 has no other magical things done to it. And despite spending more thana few nights in a freezing van, car trunk or trailer (in it's case, of course), it has remained stable.

Provided they are still made now as they were when I bought mine, I'd have no problems either buying another or suggestion a long serious look at buying one to anybody that's looking for a well made 4-string bass that's a joy to play (and looks pretty cool to boot).

Every time I ever called the folks in California, they were pleasant and helpful. I was miffed at them once upon a time because they were being difficult about making a double-neck for me, but I certainly won't hold that against them. (I was probably in a testy mood, anyway.)

Nobody ever gets a TEN from me on anything, but I will go the stretch and give my Rickenbacker 4003 a solid NINE, overall. In doing so, I'm considering my other current basses and those I've owned in the past (and those lists include Fender, Gibson, Ibanez, Carvin and Hohner......oh, and a Chapman Stick). I've been playing since the early 70s (geeze, I must be pretty old, huh?) and although I'm more of a 6-string electric bassist these days, I will be honest and say that my 4003 is, all-in-all, my favorite bass of any I have ever owned or own now.

If you're lucky enough to be able to afford a 4003, I hope you find yours as satisfying as mine has been for me.

Best of luck!

Made in 1998, USA. JetGlo color.

Normal Ric 4003 features:
20 fret
2 pickups, 1 neck, 1 bridge
2 tone, 2 volume knobs
3 way pup selector
etc..

Came with original Rickenbacker hard case, and polishing cloth.

The only thing I am not pleased with is the 20 fret. I would rather 22, or even 24 frets, but I don't conisder this a problem.

Everything a bassist could ask for. Great for the Metal that I play (old MetallicA style).

Very punchy treble, but also great lows at the same time. The classic Ric sound.
I find it has a variety of sounds. Mess around with the tone knobs to get the right sound for you.

Look no further, if you are looking for that punchy, yet low sound, this is the bass for you.

The person that owned this before me had it professionally set up. The way it was set up when I got it was perfect.

The finishis beautiful, but very fragile. The slightest bump will scratch this. Also, around where the neck connects to the body, the paint work is a bit sloppy, and around the binding seems a bit sloppy.

All in all it is a very beautifully set up and looking bass.

I would be willing to have this as my ONLY bass. I seems built like a tank, except for the finish. I would gig with this, and have no backup. The hardware also seems very solid, and trustworthy.

Never dealt with them.

I have only been playing bass for about a year. I started out with a CHEAP Typhoon Pbass model. I figured it was about time to upgrade to a better bass. I made a HUGE jump there. From one of the worst basses, to, IMO, the BEST. I haven't played many basses, and I highly doubt any will feel as natural to me or as comfortable as the Ric.

As I said, the only thing that seems a bit iffy is the finish. I LOVE the sound.

I only wish it had 24 frets. Oh well, for the sound, and just the Rickenbacker name itself, who cares about 20 frets?

Rickenbacker 4003 (born on date May 2006 delivered via Fedex on Sept 12, 2006) Fireglo, standard features set neck, toggle switch, 2 pups and the new classic sound push/pull button on one of your 4 control knobs. Everything needed to make good music.

Whatever YOU want but with the infamous RIC tone as you've envisioned and know that was probably played (and sounds best to me) thru an Ampeg. To best describe it: warm, woofy, buttery, rubberband-ish bouncy tone especially with the nickel strings. The way a bass should sound to move asses at the low end. At first I didn't quite appreciate the new classic Ric sound set to your treble as a push/pull pot, until I turned it on by accident before playing, WOW, what a difference, NICE touch. It is how, I now came to believe I have always heard the bass in my head.....Give it a name.

Bass came from factory the were hundreds were setup previously, but I could swear it was setup just for me--Perfect. At first it seemed a little high but once I started playing, I realized it was set to dig into the bass, just the way I like too.

I am going gigging this weekend and I will take my 50's P-Bass as back up. Not because I fear the Ric will not perform, example--buddy of mine out gigging with his Rocabilly band at some corporae gig in the City, and man was he wailing on that double-bubble, spinning it, dancing on it and next thing you heard was Twang---Thud! Popped a G-string. needless to say he had no back up and the whole performance lost momentum. If you are a Pro, bring a back up time is money.

Nothing yet,

Bottom Line---I've been playing many years looking for that mythical tone of my forming years that resonates thru my brain whenever I hear a bass, like an upfront filter it converts it proper local internal tone. I am mainly a Fender player (that anything Leo worked on) Stingray, G & L and a lone Spector Rebop DLX bitching bass, discontinued now, but it has Ric type sustain and tone with nickel strings. And, I AM CHEAP, mostly to myself because I've craving a Ric for years but kept going cheap and trying to get the tone on the back-end. Or, maybe I didn't feel an accomplish-enough player to be worth owning.... So, I remind myself that James Jamerson played a stock Fender, nothing fancy---I am the bass, but a well made properly voiced instrument couldn't hurt. Regardless of its looks, this is the real thing and all around bass---FOR A BASS PLAYER

Made in Feb. of 2006 i bought it new from a local sam ash, 20 frets, 2 volume, 2 tone with the vintage tone pull knob.All maple body and neck with a BEAUTIFUL rosewood fretboard i mean it has dark and light reds all over it looks like marble! passive electronics and four strings.

I play hardcore metal music but even though that is such a distorted style i like clean bass sounds better even with hardcore and the 4003 has beautiful highs and clean sounds...although sometimes the low end lacks a little bit but the sound is unbeatable

Action is perfect for me. The pickups are adjusted fine, alot of people complain about the bridge pickup cover but i play with fingers on the neck pickup anyways so it suits me fine, and even when im trying to get another tone by playing on the bridge pickup i find the cover to be anchoring. Finish is beautiful mainly because i clean it all the time and treat it as if it were fragile as glass, but looks pretty and sounds pretty

Durability seems great although i worry about denting or scratching the back finish off because i see so many that have buckle rash on the back.

dunno never dealt with them

This bass is my dream instrument. Its beautiful, unique, bursting with tone, and seems able to stand up to anything. If only Americans built cars as well

Through-neck construction, all maple, 2 pick-ups with tone and volume for each. Everything you need on a passive bass, nothing you dont. Made in the USA. The most beautiful bass in the world.

Incredible sound. Typical ric growl and clank when played with a pick, fat and warm when played fingerstyle. Far more tonal variety than many give rickenbacker basses credit for. Can be smooth and warm at the neck, to slightly hollow and funky with both pick-ups on, to nasal and cutting at the bridge. Despite its reputation for being a bright instrument, it is capable of churning out some thudding bass if necessary.

Well set up from the factory. Perhaps the fastest playing bass out there. Low action and slightly shorter than standard scale give the bass a fast and loose feel. Great for melodic bass playing. The neck is, despite what many say, a nice palm filling handful. I removed the bridge cover, as it got in the way of my right hand. Also, despite what some say, the finish is very fragile. Beautifully applied no doubt, but needs to be looked after.

Has been a constant gigging companion for some time. Always works, always sounds beautiful. Very solid tuning too. Just watch the finish; after eight months gigging mine is already showing some, admittedly superficial, battle scars.

No idea. Heard good and bad things.

My all time dream bass. I expected great things when I bought this, and after eight months of gigging with the old girl I've only been more and more impressed. Capable of a wide range of sounds, whilst remaining distinctive at all times. A truly expressive instrument, this bass precisely tracks every nuance of your playing and adds its own voice to yours. Considering that this bass (or its earlier 4001 incarnation) has been used by bands as diverse as The Beatles, The Who, Pink Floyd, The Clash, Metallica, Kyuss and Tool, it really is an incredibly flexible instrument, despite its reputation as something of a one trick pony. Strongly recommended to anyone who wants a quality, characterful bass.

As I would have expected, the features are for the norm, nothing special here. Active pickups would be nice - even humbuckers maybe! Mine is a brand new Jetglo

The bass certainly does have a splendid sound, it is rich, there is a depth that my Yam 774 just doesn't have. i play through an Ashdown rig, plents of grunt. The Ric strings are a bit iffy though, the E is quieter than the others so I am hoping a change to Rotosounds (I like 'em) will cure this. With care you can get some useful variations but you'll have to experiment. Pickups buzz of course!

Action is Ok, but it is nowhere as fast as the Yam. Setup is OK notwithstanding the string balance issue. General finish is just superb. Neck straight and true.

Well built, no problems, had a few gigs with it already, stays in tune, solid as they come.

Well, I posted a query on their forum regarding the string balance thing, I repeat, Rics forum where you can ask for others advice, and they took the query off within 1 hour. There was a sarcastic general comment from the Management (I kid you not)regarding some queries being best directed to the tech department. What a bunch of t*ss*rs. Gawd knows what they would be like to deal with if you had a problem.

I've been playing on and off for 30 years. My recent bass, a Yam RBX 774 plays like a dream, has bags of output, sounds good and is very light. The Ric looks a million dollars, has a rich, sonorous quality and is a piece of Rock and Roll history. But time after time, when I'm at home practising, what bass do i pick up? The Ric will soon be on eBay, sorry.

1986 Ric, White finish, now Cream finish. black trim and black hardware.
Bought used for 1,000.00 Canadian.
All ric features....
2 single coil hi gain pickups.
3 way switch.
dual trussrod.

The sound is well rounded. Maple construction gives very nice punch. you can bring out the lows too. the 4003's give you a nice output, lots of power. you can get very nice rich full tones out of these basses.
the 3 way switch gives you a bit of versatility. This bass is nice and simple.... not too fancy, perfect for my preferences.

I play in an Improvisational psychadelic.....WEIRD band.... it suits it perfectly. im also into jazz and Circus music.

The finish on these basses are painted on very thin.. im guessing to show that there isnt any flaws in the wood.
because of this the finish will crack in a climate change if your not careful.
When i received mine i opened up the case right away and saw tiny cracks forming along the neck and on the back of the body... luckily with mine it wasnt so severe and they arent that visible.

The wood is All maple except for the fret board wich is african rosewood.
My bass because its over 18 years old could need a good tune upthat would fix any loose bolts.
but this bass is very sturdy and stays in tune for centuries.

I have been playing for 5 years going on to 6.
If it got stolen i would Probably find the bastard, castrate, and feed him his own yarbles. ok?
i love the neck, its so slim and fast. this bass is beutiful, especially in the white finish and black hardware.
I wish i had another one in black.