Newer Ric necks

[drbassman]

I thought I read somewhere that the newer Ric 4003 necks were not as thick as they used to be.  Is that true?

[gearHed289]

Yes. Apparently, some time around 1997, the necks got oddly thick for Rickenbacker. It was a year or two ago that they switched to a new, 2 piece neck design with a thinner profile.

[Wilbur88]

Must be quite recent as my 2006 4003 is more chunky.  I'd like to play a new one to see the difference.

[drbassman]

Me too.  My local shop just can't get new ones very often Ric is so behind production.  If I get my hands on a new one, I'll report back.

[godofthunder]

 I think right around '09 they went back to the thinner profile. Bill the HOG has a mapleglo and jetglo in stock now. I can stop by and check them out for you if you want.

[Dave W]

IIRC when they started to shift to the thinner neck profile, for a while they were still doing the chunky ones. Maybe that's changed now.

[drbassman]

I think right around '09 they went back to the thinner profile. Bill the HOG has a mapleglo and jetglo in stock now. I can stop by and check them out for you if you want.

Thanks Scott, I was gonna call Kurt.  If you have chance, let me know what you think.  Don't go out of your way though.  I might be able to stop by on Monday or Tuesday.

[jumbodbassman]

just got a 2011 in midnight blue.  much nicer neck than my late 80's ric.  new pickups are pretty hot also.  And bodies is slightly maller too!!!

[ilan]

Late 80's? The pickguard looks '80-'81.

And congrats on the new bass, looks stunning.

[drbassman]

Great!  I like that body change too.  Very smart looking.  I found out my shop has 3 new Rics in stock, so I'm definitely gonna check them out (they are holding one for me).  The only problem I ever had with my Rics were the necks.   

[jumbodbassman]

Late 80's? The pickguard looks '80-'81.

And congrats on the new bass, looks stunning.

never tried to date it by serial number.   Nevr a huge ric guy.  Had a early 70's 4001 and first few years of the 4003 sold both because i am an idiot....      I just assumed it was late 80's when i got it about 12 years ago off the feebay.  back when rics were reasonable.   think it was around 400 with HSC.

new one was part of the talkbass MF frenzy a while ago.  came out to $1060,  waited about 6 -8 months.

[Wilbur88]

I'd love to hear any reports about the change in neck profile.  I would really like a faster neck than mine.

Thanks for the heads up.

[warriorbass05]

never tried to date it by serial number.   Nevr a huge ric guy.  Had a early 70's 4001 and first few years of the 4003 sold both because i am an idiot....      I just assumed it was late 80's when i got it about 12 years ago off the feebay.  back when rics were reasonable.   think it was around 400 with HSC.

new one was part of the talkbass MF frenzy a while ago.  came out to $1060,  waited about 6 -8 months.

that burg is an early 4003/..the 2 piece guard is a dead giveaway....80-early 86 is when those were around...check your jack plate for the letters....it will range somewhere between T and Z for the first letter...

[drbassman]

I'd love to hear any reports about the change in neck profile.  I would really like a faster neck than mine.

Thanks for the heads up.

I'm going on Monday or Tuesday to see for myself!  I'll report.

[godofthunder]

 I was in and out of the HOG  real quick today, only the jetglo left.