4003 differences through production.

[ilan]

actually, if you look the wings changed in 1973 and have remained the same up to 97.

IME '73 horns are slim like 60's basses, '76-77 is when they started to grow fat, and late 80's have the widest horns. I have an Oct. '73 and its horns are significantly thinner than both my 86's.

[gearHed289]

Definitely going with Ilan on this. The late 80s/early 90s horns are for sure much fatter than anything pre-85.

[ilan]

[warriorbass05]

76-93 is good enough for me.

[Electro Dale]

My favorite would be this restored 1958 model 4000

[Electro Dale]

The least favorite would be the ones made in the early 1980s with the split pickguard  and the T-rods that adjust from the body end of the neck.  Fortunately that system didn't last very long.

[warriorbass05]

The least favorite would be the ones made in the early 1980s with the split pickguard  and the T-rods that adjust from the body end of the neck.  Fortunately that system didn't last very long.

Thankfully...I had a 80 4003...got rid of it fast...very challenging to deal with the way that the rods were placed and HOW...they got better by 85 and then phased it out by 86

[gearHed289]

My favorite would be this restored 1958 model 4000

Wow, tell us about this one. Is it real? I thought they had mahogany or walnut necks, and the "hooks" on the horns look sharper, like on the later models. 

[Electro Dale]

Only the 1st few had Walnut necks with Maple body wings.  This one had to be totally restored. As for sharp horns, "Wooley Bulley"  The body on the 58 thru 60 models had thicker wings and a different shape than the re-designed 1961 Bass.

[uwe]

Interesting post, Warriorbass05.

In my experience, the fatter the neck, the better the sound. And ditto on '86 as a good year for the 4003.

Amen! Any enthusiasm for thin necks - be it on bass or guitar - has always been beyond me. Wood substance on a neck is even more crucial than on a body. My five Rics all have pretty hefty necks (coincidence, not choice) and I wouldn't want it any other way. It feels good too.

That is not to say that I cannot appreciate the slimness of a TBird or Jazz neck either, but on my Rics the stubbiness of the necks feels right.

[godofthunder]

 I have had numerous Rics over the years one of my favorites was a 2000 4003 mapleglo with a rather substantial neck. The new 4003s I think are fantastic , thin necks, full width inlays, walnut headstock wings. A real nice bass for the money. My absoloute favorite Ric was a '70s 4000 That I bought NOS in the early 80's best Ric ever !

[warriorbass05]

I have had numerous Rics over the years one of my favorites was a 2000 4003 mapleglo with a rather substantial neck. The new 4003s I think are fantastic , thin necks, full width inlays, walnut headstock wings. A real nice bass for the money. My absoloute favorite Ric was a '70s 4000 That I bought NOS in the early 80's best Ric ever !

out of the 97 (soon to be 98) Ricks that I have had, I only had a 4000 one time....miss that one!

[ilan]

Out of the how many ? ? ?

[warriorbass05]

Out of the how many ? ? ?

#98 on my serial number list is on its way here....yes I know, I am nuts but that is how it has been....I actually have played them all too....

[weekend warrior]

After 98 ricks passing thru Jaymi's hands,I would tend to believe him when he coments on neck profiles :mrgreen:He's never steared me wrong in the ten years ive known him