It's been nearly a year since returning the new Stingray Special, and I've spent all that time with my dream bass, the Rickenbacker 4003.
Actually, I ended up buying a pair; one in my favorite, now discontinued (in 2019) finish called Midnight Blue, and a second in the classic Fireglo (sunburst) finish. Why two? Mainly because I always try having a backup to my primary instrument. Thankfully, I found a few fantastic dealers that tend to have a good stock of Ric's, and at very reasonable prices.
Problems?
What took me so long to try what I've long regarded as my dream bass? There have been a lot of stories about the Ric bass being a fussy, high-maintenance instrument, and the recent arrival of internet bass forums served to amplify those stories. Then, in June 2017 I actually got my hands on one for the first time and was not thrilled with the in-stock example at a local big-box-store.
Turns out that most of those problem stories concern versions made in the 1970s and 1980s, which have different truss rods than the modern versions. Anyway, there comes a time when you have to put things in their proper perspective, go with your gut and give it a try-- which I'm SOOOoooo glad I did! Theses modern 4003 basses still have two truss rods, but they function like any other bass, without the quirks of the earlier versions.
Buying Online Each of these instruments came from different US dealers. First, the Midnight Blue model came from Dave's Guitar Shop in Wisconsin. The Fireglo came from a shop in Colorado called Wildwood. Both business have reputations for making sure their instruments are shipped in premium condition, with the customers chosen strings & gauges. Each arrived in SBK-type plastic fitted cases, packed in stout boxes intended to protect the instrument during shipping.
Setups on both were dead-on; far and away better than that first Ric I played back in 2017. The only thing I had to change was the strap-buttons, as my problems with Schaller straps-locks continue-- but that's a story for another time. A few hours with the basses in my workshop resulted in a happy upgrade to Dunlop buttons.
Why Such A "Primitive" Bass?
So what is it about the Ric that is so appealing? About 37 years ago I watched the Rush concert video, "Exit Stage Left" and was mesmerized by Geddy Lee's playing. Watching Ged with his Ric is what sparked my desire to become a musician before I even knew the difference between a guitar and a bass. Those kind of things stick with a person, as marketing departments are keenly aware.
More recently I discovered a fantastic band that rekindled my desire for a Ric; Clatter, is a heavily groovy, two-piece melodic powerhouse featuring Amy Humphrey on bass. Have a listen to their tunes (then buy an album or two), and tell me if you can resist wanting to sample a Rickenbacker bass for yourself(!)
To be perfectly honest, it isn't a great deal different than any other bass; aside from it's unique tone, the differences are in the details. The neck feels about as wide as a modern Fender P-bass, but with thick rolled shoulders and slightly shallow (flatter) in the back. It is a very comfortable neck. Many people hate anything that isn't as slim as possible, but what they fail to consider is this bass is different. Not better, not worse. The neck is beautifully bound much like a Les Paul, and with its medium jumbo frets, I'm reminded of playing those old clunky guitars, which have become so popular many years after conception.
Tuning pegs hold position well and are easy to operate. Its dual pickups are straightforward, with simple controls and a 3-way pickup selector and a push-pull knob that removes some bass tones for a more classic sounding Ric bass. There are two output options: the standard mono, and a very useful stereo output. Being able to split the signal enables you to simultaneously run your one base through two independent amps, and adding effects without loosing the fundamental bass tones. It's a fantastic idea! A great example of this option in use is Clatter-- check out their Youtube page for more details, as Amy makes good use of that feature.
The 4003 body is slim, light and well balanced with no neck-dive in either of the two I have. It's bridge is a bit of a pain to set, but works great once it's dialed in. There is a cover over the bridge pickup which I am thankful for, however, most people remove it because... well I really have no idea; they are likely just following orders from the internet. That cover provides a comfortable place to rest my hand, and provides a string reference-- perfect!
Downsides?
Ric changed its finishing method some years ago to comply with California's strict environmental codes, which has created some slight problems. Some claim that the finish is very delicate, which I agree with when compared to a thick polyurethane finish. The Ric finish is easily chipped when bumping into a drummers cymbals, a music stand, or the tip of a misdirected output cable. While in production, the hardware can be over tightened which on occasion creates a bubble in the finish around the overtightened bit. My blue 4003 has this problem along a small section of the bridge. However, it has not created any problems, and has not chipped away, or gotten worse. Again, internet warriors have made much noise about the finish on bass forums. Strangely, I've not heard of the guitars having this problem-- only basses. It is something to be aware of, but has absolutely no affect on the instrument, or my playing.
In short, the Ric 4003 is an excellent classic instrument. It is a unique design, and not intended to be like anything else. "Classic" is an appropriate descriptor as that is what you are getting; an old design that's been very lightly updated and tweaked since its inception. There are other basses available that play easier, sound louder, weigh less, and cost less to buy. However, you won't easily find a bass that is more fun to play, or one that looks as cool as a Ric 4003. As for cost, a little research will save the prospective buyer A LOT of money on both the new and used market.
Why A '68 Dodge Charger?
In the previous post, I used an analogy to equate a Music Man Stingray Special with a new Lincoln Town Car, and the replacement instrument to a 1968 Dodge Charger. Having driven both cars, the comparison seems appropriate; the Dodge takes more effort than the Lincoln to drive well, as it is with the basses.
The Music Man is very modern, with its 18v battery power, stainless steel frets, roasted neck, etc. By comparison, the Rickenbacker requires more effort to play as well, with its larger neck, clunky dimensions, limited range passive pickups and less comfortable body shape. Just as the Dodge is far more rewarding to drive, so is the Rickenbacker bass to play. The two also produce similar sounds: deep, low, and rumble with authority. It truly is a special instrument, quirks and all...Now about those strap buttons....
...Stay tuned & in tune!
