Product: Rickenbacker 4003 Custom Price Paid: US $995
Submitted 01/10/2004
at 07:20pm
by Robert Ostrowski
Email: msgtrob at hotmail<dot>com
Features
:10
Brand new 2003 RIC4003 USA made (of course)
Standard 20 Frets.
Jetglo (Black Finish) White Pickguard
Independent bass/treble volume and tone control knobs.
3-Way Selector
Rosewood fretboard, Triangle peal inlay
RIC Hardshell case included
Sound
:10
1 word... Classic.
The RIC4003 delivers and delivers a lot in the sound department. It's loud, but clear and clean. It can be soft, but sustained and punching through. Incredibly rich and full sound, I'd say it's a warm sounding bass, but you can just as easily make it sound dark or bright, very versatile.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:10
Fantastic setup... Can't say 1 bad thing about it... Took it out, tuned it up, and haven't had or noticed a problem since.
Reliability/Durability
:10
This is my first bass, and ergo my first Rickenbacker, but just from the feel of it... It feels really solid, sturdy, well built... I've played some cheap, crappy, basses... And this feels like nothing I've ever felt before...
Customer Support
:No Opinion
Not yet, and I'm really not anticipating having to.
Overall Rating
:10
This is my first bass, and from what I've read, it'll probably be my last if it's taken care of unless I'm looking for another particular type of sound. But I'm absolutely in love with this bass, I can't say a single bad thing about it... I mean... I'd even complain about the price if it wasn't worth every penny and then some.
Product: Rickenbacker 4003 Custom Price Paid: US $860 used
Submitted 03/12/2002
at 02:12pm
by Chris
Features
:10
This is a new Rickenbacker 4003, 4 string, standard. White on black. 4 controls. Vol for each pickup and Treble as well. Has the switch to change from treble to dual to bass pickups. I have the new ric hard shell case.
Sound
:10
Awesome tone. Rings forever. Love to slide with this. Love the ability to switch pickups with the switch from treble, to dual, to bass. Still learning all the things I can do with her.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:10
No flaws. Great Product. Fell in love immediately.
Reliability/Durability
:10
I have trouble playing with that cover over the treble pickup because I'm used to playing right where it covers, but that's my only problem with this bass.
Customer Support
:No Opinion
Haven't needed their help yet.
Overall Rating
:10
I've been playing bass for 2 years. I have a Fender P-Bass which I love to death, and a Fender Jazz Bass which sucks ass. Never really liked it. Paid $400 for it too. Oh well. Fender's got the sound, but ric's got the look and the quality... as well as a hot hot hot sound. I wish I could figure out how to remove the pick cover...
Product: Rickenbacker 4003 Custom Price Paid: N/A
Submitted 01/31/2001
at 09:26pm
by Banta
Email: banta<at>citynet dot net
Features
:10
(4 string) '85 model, black w/black hardware, black binding, triangle inlays, 20 frets. This was a custom predecessor to the popular but less impressive Black Star series. Special black vintage single coil passive Ric (bridge) pickup with wrap-around magnet, and standard passive Ric (neck) pickup w/volume & tone controls for each and 3-way selector switch, stereo. As with all 4000 series Rics (excluding doublenecks), neck-thru with twin truss rods, this one adjustable at the body. Nothing beats a Ric neck for playability, and this custom 4-string is my favorite bass to play, although I usually use a 5-string Ric these days. Patented Ric bridge/tailpiece is easily adjusted.
Sound
:10
Rics have a distinctive growl that I have always found to be very cool, and this bass with the vintage p/u is especially wicked. Not the most versatile sounding bass, but one of the most recognizable. Lots of punch with solid underlying warmth, and a real retro analog sound. I have used this bass to record and perform, and it is especially stage friendly in that it is well-balanced and very light for a full-scale bass with great sustain, not to mention a real eye-catcher.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:10
This bass was custom, and unusually well set up from the factory. It still looks mint after 15 years, and resides in a flight case.
Reliability/Durability
:10
I am not destructive, but I have never had a single breakage of any kind on any Ric bass or guitar I have ever owned. This one will never see regular wear & tear.
Customer Support
:10
I have been treated like a preferred customer by Rickenbacker since the '70s. I endorse not only their instruments, but their strings as well.
Overall Rating
:10
I have played bass for over 25 years, and this is by far my favorite. The consistent spacing from the nut to the body is something I really like, being a player who primarily uses a pick and plays a very progressive style. The vintage bridge (treble) pickup does not have a removable cover, but I don't remove the covers from my regular Rics either, using them as hand rests. Most players, especially those that finger pluck and slap, remove these. The bass could not be more attractive, it's a beauty. Thanks Rickenbacker!
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