Great bass and cool pickups. First thing I noticed was that the bass sounds dramatically clearer and punchier with either pickup soloed than with both pickups engaged. Killer tone in all pickup positions.
When I hear the bridge pickup sound I think they should still make the 4000. Maybe with some updates but, tbh, that bridge (or rather mid) pickup is where it's at. Love it! Although the Rick needs to be distorted. It just has to. It's the law.
After the war, I plan to come to the USA (First to New York to my mother's friends, and then to San Diego to my sister and 2 cousins of my beloved ones! ) I want to buy my first Rickenbacker (Because the band here plays Horror punk is very scary! )! Already now for sure! Thanks for the interesting demonstration. Greetings from Kyiv, dear friend!
Sounds amazing, this made me even more happy to have my mapleglo 4003. They may have their quirks and impracticalities but they are still perfect in my eyes!
That Barden pickup sounds pretty darn good, might have to try one. I have the same model Rick. Its one of my most gigged basses and always gets attention.
Thanks Kevin! I'm a big fan of these. I did a lot of research on replacement pickups that maintain the classic tone and settled on these. Was not disappointed!
Nice bass and review. You nailed it when you said "there not for everybody... a lot of people want one without knowing that they really don't want one." I love the Rics look and sound in other folks hands but never liked the feel enough when I've played them to pay the premium on them. Too hard to get a cheaper user one. Some day I'll breakdown and get one though. They generally do hold value. Keep the videos coming.
I agree. I only ever played a Rickenbacker once, in a guitar shop. Just to see what they were like. My favourite bass player ever played one. Chris Squire. It was the most uncomfortable bass I'd ever played. I put it back on the shelf.
@DrTomoculus I got a cheap Rick copy that looks 99% correct but has a P Bass neck. The perfect solution. I can get the tones and the vibe without struggling with that weird feeling neck!
There really is nothing like the distinct sound of a Ric. I agree with you about the tone knobs being eye candy, look but no touchie! I love my 4001, never get tired of playing it. Thanks Lobster!
I have never been able to wrap my head around Rick's looks. To me they are some kind of "oddity", or "space-time anomaly" in the line of electric basses that came into this world. That said, since Geddy played them, then I should just sit and listen. Looks-wise, from the classic lines, my all-time favorite is the Stingray and from the modern lines, I have a strange affection for the shape Cort went for for its "B" series. I just love it.
That bass is amazing I like how they are straight from the factory but modding them is so totally valid. I recently put a lollar true horseshoe pickup in my 4003 and it was such an improvement over the stock hi-gain bridge pickup.
@@handwriting8804 they’re still the same as vintage toasters, but they and the hi gains use the same mould for the bobbins, so besides the cover and pile pieces they look similar externally
@@mr_bassman6685 the bobbins may be the same but the horseshoes are completely surrounded by the magnets whereas the hi-gains are just traditional single coils
Your playing ability and style is off the hook. I think your one of the best out there. You make slap bass seem so much fun . As for Wally the sound is truly incredible. The Joe Barden pickups do give it an incredible distinctive unique sound. I'm a new subscriber and I found your video's a great experience. I noticed your always smiling and laughing. Keep that going always. God Bless and keep going my brother. Till next time. Peace.
Your video was really fun Lobster. I really like the tone of your new trick pony. That's impressive. Have a great day. Can't wait for your next fun video.
I had to watch this video with a lot of kitchen paper nearby, I was drooling all the time. Everything in that bass looks/sounds perfect to me, those pickups sound killer! I'd gladly add that bass to my tiny collection.. ....but "it's yours and I can't have it"!
The day after this video came out i bought my first rickenbacker bass. Im thinking when i collect it after its setup i might do a demo/review. Not many people have done youtube videos on the 4003ac.
I’ve had a Ric 4001 and 3 4003’s over the years (they keep sucking me back in to their awesomeness) but I always had trouble getting used to the flat body and the sharp binding edge. The thin finish was kinda sucky too because it scratched so easily. This model looks like one I could really get into. Love the new pickups too. Sounds awesome.
I put a Nordenbocker in my 4003 and I love it. Still sounds like a Rick, but with more balls! And, because it’s reverse wound to the bridge pickup, it really does tame the hum, at least when your running both pickups.
That was great! I have a 2012 Ruby Red 4003. GHS Boomers and its got the best bass tone Ive ever heard! Stock pups. Only mod I did was replace the stock nut with a bone nut, growley!
Thanks man! It's one of my favorite songs. I only knew the intro lick part and never really bothered to learn the rest until literally a few hours ago. I might do a full cover of it, what a beautiful bassline!
That’s a great bass. Love that dual pickup bite. Never owned one. The slightly less that Fender long scale made make that subtle tone difference. Love the maple neck and mono layout. Fun video.
Hi Mr. Lobster! This bass is my consumption dream. Too bad it is absurdly expensive and difficult to find here in Brazil. sometimes it costs the same as a popular used car.
I ve had both 4003 , Black Glo with white binding , shark tooth inlays with the Ric O Sound jack , standard jack , it is a brighter sound . 4001 with Horseshoe pickup Toaster pickup , which is what Chris Squire used , and McCartney , Very Different sounds , I found the 4001 a fuller deeper bass , but that was how I had my SVT 6 X10 HLF Adjusted , Alot depends on how the amp is set up , and if using a pick it is gonna be even more Tremble . Chris Squire s bass was thinner from it be sanded down a few times, finally by guitar tech and finished at the end with that cream paint o the bass was alot thinner , lighter , and Chris wanted that tremble sound which really worked great for the band , I did use the the tremble knobs on the bass and the foam mute on the bridge . Ric has alot of different things on what you can get now on models. And they do sell parts , most do not know the differences between the two , The pickups are the best way Horseshoe is all metal the pickup is flat. Toaster flat with chrome metal . The other pickups have round balls on top of the pickup , and a chrome plastic cover that can be taken off reveal the pickup with round balls on it . But Like the pickups you did on this 4003 , great job playing as always
The only other aftermarket Ric pups I've heard is the Nordstrand, which is really just a hi gain bridge in the neck position. These seem to maintain that distinct difference between bridge and neck. And I totally agree with you on the SW model. I had one in JetGlo and it felt like I was playing on fly paper. And that was before the finish gummed up completely and started to fall off. Sold it for a huge loss, but the silver lining being that it funded a Stingray!
Thanks Brett! Man, huge bummer on yours. That's one of the other reasons I went with the SW, I heard there were some major production/QC issues with the gloss finish. Last thing I'd ever want to do is make a Ric warranty claim XD. Sounds like even though you took a hit you still came out on top, The Ray is the way!
Amazing mods. I share your affinity for modern, noiseless setups on basses. Why put up with buzz and hum when you don't want to? Was looking at noiseless Rick options when i found this video. Sounds great. And I doubt anyone listening to a mix would pick them out as being "wrong." We massage our bass tones so much live and on recordings that people only know if it sounds good, not if it's a toaster or hi-gain or Barden in there.
I had a Ric 4004 for a minute and it was a monstrous sounding bass. Unfortunately, the neck and ergonomics didn’t work for me at all, so is sold it. That one you have sounds equally as good
Ah, almost forgot: From one Ric connoisseur to the other, there's one more little mod I can really recommend. The RETROVIBE bridge PU bezzel makes it so much more comfortable to play for me. That sharp edges of the original one with the cover removed really pissed me off. I also like the loods of the RETROVIBE one better. But that's just my personal taste.
The 4003SW is the *only* modern Ricky bass that gives me gear lust. Well, that, and their one-off double necks. Anyway, this looks great with the black complements.
Didn't realize there were "tailor-made" humbucker pickups for the Rickenbacker 4000 series basses available until coming across this upload. Will definitely keep the Joe Barden ones in mind should I finally hit paydirt in landing a LH 4003S of my own because they honestly got it right with those! Surprised Rickenbacker didn't start going with them the moment they finally revised their long-suspect bridge design from 2020-onward, what a missed opportunity on their part... 😒
@@LowEndLobster Well you certainly got me looking into a Walnut version of the 4003S model in the meantime as I'm not really a fan of lacquered/gloss necks, myself. Ric should've just made that a "customized" option (along with the unnecessary body binding, truth be told 🙄). Speaking of which, you should seriously consider putting one of those Zero-Mod thumb rest bars on yours (4003v2 'FatBoy' I HIGHLY recommend) and perhaps even string it up with some gold white-nylon La Bellas (750G) for one of your future "revisit" uploads. I'm actually curious as to how that bass will take to those relatively minor alterations as far as tone and playability go... 🤔
Hope I like what I heard ? That thing is awesome. Rickenbacker need to hire Lobster 🦞 for their tech department,…and their marketing department. I want one ☝🏼 !
Holy crap Low! You may have created the ultimate bass! Run that bad boy through a Geddy Lee Preamp and you're rockin! Of course a 5 string would be just a "malankey bit better"!...
Hey, I didn't know lobsters had the ability to read thoughts. This vid is exactly what I was waiting for when I saw that ric hanging at your wall watching your last video. You came up with it before I asked, thank you! Impressive sound from those Joe Barden PUs. Still has the classic Rickenbacker character and that 'smack' when hitting it hard. With that bridge humbucker the vintage switch finally makes sense. My own one (see profile pic) has the stock single coils and for me the vintage tone is just too thin in comparison to the fullrange tone. Also the neck PU sounds much more pronounced and has more definetion than the stock Ric single coil. Great mod! Thought about getting the Nordenbacker neck PU, but now I think I should go for those Joe Bardens instead.
Thanks Bones! Yeah dude, the Bardens are where it's at. I'm so happy with them compared to the stock pickups. I haven't tried any of the other aftermarket ones, but I think this bass is already 'final form' Ric. I agree, the vintage switch with stock pickups thins the sound out a bit too much but it pairs much better with the Bardens. Happy modding!
Less dumb but still very dumb hahahaha. There's little rollers on a threaded bar that allow you to control string spacing. It's difficult to get the string into the bridge without touching those and having to measure out your spacing again lol
You know, when I first found your channel I thought it was a bit gimmicky with the whole claw thing... But! Your channel is now my go to for bass reviews because you are brutally honest about everything, seem to have plenty of knowledge/experience, and your playing just keeps getting better! Thanks for doing what you do. P.S. Someday I'll have to get my hands on one of those walnut Rickenbacker basses. That bass is badass to the extreme. I guess I'll just have to settle for my Fullerton Deluxe g&l jazz bass for now lol
I thought this was a 4004C at first. If you get a chance, you should get your hands on a 4004C. It's got simplified controls, two humbuckers and a Schaller bridge. Mine is pretty swell.
Niiice! Sounds great, but one of the secret sauce tones is both pickups on with the neck pickup volume rolled back just a hair. If I were gonna get any 4003, it would be this one! I just keep finding more 4004 models, though (Cheyennes or Laredos).,and They’re my favorites. They already have RIC humbuckers as standard equipment.
Sounds killer. You should do a video modding one of the Sterling stingray’s frets. Just did on mine and fixed a lot of the fret buzz. Really simple process and takes maybe 20 minutes.
@@LowEndLobster Pretty much. I focused on the 12th and upper frets mostly. Lowered the action a bit and not as much neck relief is needed. I've had to take the strings off and file a couple of the frets a little more. Had to do that 4 times so far. There's one still in the E-string part that causes a little buzz that I need to fix. Fun project overall.
Sorry to hear your feline friend is unwell, hope they are back to full health soon. About the bass, great bass(other colour options?) great pick ups, an idea I haven't yet seen is to do a video with just the bridge pick up in vintage mode being put through an array of effects, that sound lends itself well to being effected IMO
Playing Chris Squire lines with fingers is sacrilege! Get thee a plectrum! Possibly even a quarter (as he was rumored to use sometimes, though most likely a Herco held textured side to the string).
Thanks Alan! Hahah, I've heard the quarter story! I'd be afraid of thwacking the bass by accident. Still practicing with my plectrum, we're getting there!
Ever seen Michael Parks Jrs Rickenbacker from the band All Them Witches? He sawed the top horn off and it looks so dang good. If I ever got a Rick, I'd do the same
He didn't do that he bought it that way. Someone had tried converting it to a lefty previously which is the only way he could have gotten it for such a steal.
The flame on that walnut is beaut man. You lucked out on the Rickenbacker woodgrain lottery there. Pick ups sound sweet, is the bridge the same shape as standard (ie will it fit in the bezels you get for removing the chrome cover?).
The AC has non-stock pickups already, so that would be a cool demo to see - also there's an upgraded bridge, but I've not looked at it that deep. My vision starts blurring as soon as I realize an instrument is walnut. Walnut and Maple - those make me dizzy every time.
Sounds great! but I can't see why they don't include the triangle inlays on the 's' models. Those are some of the most unique inlays in the business...
HOLY💩💩!! Bridge PUP does have that " good ol' Ric sound"!🤗 Seriously dig the vintage tone!👍🏿👍🏿 I never thought I'd change PUPS on my Ricky, but that sounds impressive! 🔊 I like whatcha done ta Wally! Just readjusted mine as well. Seriously think I need to get rid of that cover. Got a buzzzzz on the top 4 frets, so I have to bring the neck forward another 1/8 turn. But start hitting that thing. Did you have to bring yours forward much?🤔
Have always been one of my top 3 favorite Basses and I’m getting one soon! How much is this exact model? I’ve always like the 4003S models more being a stripped down version.
Thank you Irishman! The 'price' has been something of an enigma for these Rics. The true price is usually much less than the 'advertised' price of $2k+ USD. You just need to know to ask for the 'best price'. I got this last year for $1300 brand new
LowEndLobster : A bass built like that, sounds like that and looks like that is a bargain at $1300.00! You like those pickups clearly over the stock Ric pickups. The only thing I’d say about Ric’s is dealing with the company. I’ve worked as a certified Luthier for years and getting parts from Rickenbacker has never been easy.
So glad to hear that. I love TI’s and also have them on my 4003 Fireglo. I’m really digging the Walnut Ric though. Love you mods that you did to it, too. Thanks for the reply!
I like Ric's.... But the cost, particularly "opportunity cost." I could get 2 or more basses that sound great (sure different) and have money left. Cool video for sure.
Thanks M Perk! I purchased this for $1300 new. A lot of the 'Rics are super expensive' mentality comes from seeing what they 'list' for. I'd never pay $2k for one of em!
@@LowEndLobster that is not bad at all. I've seen some priced $3k and up. I started ignoring them after that. To be fair, I'd probably still sound bad. Which reminds me.... I gotta go practice more
Great pickups. I have the 4003S and they are fabulously unique basses. Oh, and you have forgot to demo with a pick again. You can't demo a Ric without the Pick ;)
Loved the look of the walnut with the black pick guard... I just bought one to customize. This bass will replace a 1981 Ruby Red 4003 that was stolen from me over 20 years ago. I always wanted a Ricky back in the guitarsenal. Problem is... where can I get a back truss rod cover? Thanks for any help in locating one.
Digging that Vintage tone. Would you want the Ric-O-Sound for the bass or did you want the model without it? Side Note - Found a new bass for you to possibly review ... The Schecter Banshee. Would love to hear your take on it.
Thanks Tim! I wanted the model without it. I am not looking to run two separate amps for the bass haha. The Banshee is cool! Played one briefly at GC. Hopefully will snag one to review at some point :)
Hey Lobster! Any thoughts on modding a ATK 200 and installing one of these JBE neck pickups? I am itching for a tone in the ballpark of the soloed JBE neck pickup you showcase here. I would transform the ATK into a single pickup bass with just tone and volume controls. The stock quad humbucker would become a dummy pickup. The body shape, weight, and feel, and the neck profile of the ATK are perfect. I'm just not vibing with the MMish sound.
I like Rickenbackers, and though I've never owned a real one, I did get as close as its possible to get and had a CMI Faker from the 70s. Everyone who saw it with the fake truss rod cover on it believed it was a real Rick, and even close up it was hard to tell; it even had the Rick-O-Sound output. I removed the resistor from the bridge pickup though, it was far too thin sounding for me, I probably should have modded with a push-pull pot and left the option in, but it sounded amazing without it. But for me, it was never a finger-style bass, that just felt really weird. Like watching TV with your parents when a sex scene comes on.
I have an '01 V63 I bought brand new. It's so loud and piercing I get vertigo after playing it for too long. One of my favorite bases. It's probably twice as loud as my '78 4001. I friggin' dropped it last night though trying to put it away safely. Apparently, it didn't want to be locked away. They just have too much guts.
Lobster: thanks to your videos, I ordered a new Rick :D Where did you find the black guard and truss-rod cover? I've got a few leads, but sure could use some help. Thanks!
@@LowEndLobster I might have called him Harvey Nutbanger but hey I'm a cretin but still - we don't see many but we get reminded why walnut is a super choice wood for basses. I've never got to play one personally so I can't speak to nuances and there really aren't a lot of demos to A/B but I literally had a walnut tree in my front yard growing up that was one of my escape routes from people who probably would have ended up better if they had treated people nicer in general. :-) There is literal wood named Ligma by the way so DON'T TEMPT ME TO MAKE A LIGMA BASS
Ok...I know I comment on this video A LOT!!!!’ I know you don’t really want to “mod experiment” The fine sir Wally....BUT, I want to put a video request for the Babicz Ric replacement saddles, or whatever it’s called. I’m really on the fence with this one, I’m trying to decide between hipshot and babicz. I know it’s a lot to ask.... but there’s only 1 person on RUclips that has addressed it, and as many videos I watch you do, I can honestly say that if you like or don’t like it, you’ll give it the review it needs. But it’s just a request, and you’re awesome wether you do it or not!!!! Also....Sims super quads Just putting that in your ear. Cheers.
Chris Squire's Rick was so heavily modified (to correct it's numerous faults) that it wasn't a Rickenbacker anymore. Geddy Lee dumped his Ricks in favour of the massively superior Fender Jazz.
@@LowEndLobster I definitely like your Rick more than my 4003 Jetglo, which was the worst purchase I've made in my life. I had the privilege of speaking to the one and only Skully (Geddy's bass tech) and he was overjoyed when geddy stopped using the Ricks. Only wished I'd had that conversation with him before dumping my cash into one.
@@TenFalconsMusic I feel you. Back in 2004, I saved up my pennies in high school and bought a Jetglo 4003. I was expecting it to be everything a bass could be for me and I was soooo disappointed. Rose colored glasses were a thing for a while, but as soon as I started to get more into playing other genres of music outside of Rock (jazz, funk, r&b, etc), my Ric strung up with the Rotosound Swing 66 rounds really was not up to the task. You know, "Fly me to the moon" sounds great when there's a hairy high school lobster playing the walking line with his Ric going "CLANK CLANK CLANK CLANK" ahahaha
@@LowEndLobster I would be chuffed to absolute bits if you broke into 'Rock Lobster' during one of your demos. Covertly of course. That's if you haven't already. Granted you'd probably get a copyright strike from RUclips if you did... so don't risk it on my behalf.
Were these new pickups direct drop-ins? Or did you have to do anything extra to the pickup cavities to make them fit. I have a 4003 and I’m very tempted to get these pickups. Thanks!
Great bass and cool pickups. First thing I noticed was that the bass sounds dramatically clearer and punchier with either pickup soloed than with both pickups engaged. Killer tone in all pickup positions.
Thanks Keith! Indeed!
A Fireglo 4003S has been my dream Bass for years. I hope I have as much fun with mine someday as you’re having in this video.
When I hear the bridge pickup sound I think they should still make the 4000. Maybe with some updates but, tbh, that bridge (or rather mid) pickup is where it's at. Love it! Although the Rick needs to be distorted. It just has to. It's the law.
Heheh thanks BD!
After the war, I plan to come to the USA (First to New York to my mother's friends, and then to San Diego to my sister and 2 cousins of my beloved ones! ) I want to buy my first Rickenbacker (Because the band here plays Horror punk is very scary! )! Already now for sure! Thanks for the interesting demonstration. Greetings from Kyiv, dear friend!
Thank you and stay safe!
I really hope the war ends soon for you my friend! Stay safe! I can’t wait to hear you slaying on a Ric of your own in no time!!
Sounds amazing, this made me even more happy to have my mapleglo 4003. They may have their quirks and impracticalities but they are still perfect in my eyes!
Thanks Brock!
I got some JBEs in my Rickenbacker thanks to you. Sounds way better than those garbage stock Pickups and no Hum. Bless you Lobster
Thank you Benni!
Ahahahaha, garbage stock pickups 😅
TRUE!! How are you liking it? I bought a pair but one of came defective. Super frustrating :’(
@@rafbass best pickups i could have bought for the Ric, doesn't matter if you play clean or distorted these pickups WILL sound fantastic
That Barden pickup sounds pretty darn good, might have to try one.
I have the same model Rick. Its one of my most gigged basses and always gets attention.
Thanks Kevin! I'm a big fan of these. I did a lot of research on replacement pickups that maintain the classic tone and settled on these. Was not disappointed!
Nice bass and review. You nailed it when you said "there not for everybody... a lot of people want one without knowing that they really don't want one."
I love the Rics look and sound in other folks hands but never liked the feel enough when I've played them to pay the premium on them. Too hard to get a cheaper user one. Some day I'll breakdown and get one though. They generally do hold value. Keep the videos coming.
Thank you K :)
I agree. I only ever played a Rickenbacker once, in a guitar shop. Just to see what they were like. My favourite bass player ever played one. Chris Squire.
It was the most uncomfortable bass I'd ever played. I put it back on the shelf.
@DrTomoculus I got a cheap Rick copy that looks 99% correct but has a P Bass neck. The perfect solution. I can get the tones and the vibe without struggling with that weird feeling neck!
I like the satin finish, the dot inlays, and the sound. Nice.
Thanks Bear!
There really is nothing like the distinct sound of a Ric. I agree with you about the tone knobs being eye candy, look but no touchie! I love my 4001, never get tired of playing it. Thanks Lobster!
Thanks Sparks! :)
I have never been able to wrap my head around Rick's looks. To me they are some kind of "oddity", or "space-time anomaly" in the line of electric basses that came into this world.
That said, since Geddy played them, then I should just sit and listen.
Looks-wise, from the classic lines, my all-time favorite is the Stingray and from the modern lines, I have a strange affection for the shape Cort went for for its "B" series. I just love it.
Thanks Marios! I'm with you on the Ray hahaha, my SR Classic is one of my most eye catching and wonderful instruments
The tone I'm dying for! Great demo, Lobster!
Have you been practicing, Lobster? You are playing some tasty licks here!
Thank you :)
That bass is amazing
I like how they are straight from the factory but modding them is so totally valid. I recently put a lollar true horseshoe pickup in my 4003 and it was such an improvement over the stock hi-gain bridge pickup.
Thank you! I've been so curious about those lollar horseshoes (and the reissues as well). We may be doing some more ric mods in the future ;)
@@LowEndLobster the reissues are just hi-gains in a different case so I wouldn't recommend them if you're going for the toaster sound
The Rickenbacker Stock pickups are actually not good…
@@handwriting8804 they’re still the same as vintage toasters, but they and the hi gains use the same mould for the bobbins, so besides the cover and pile pieces they look similar externally
@@mr_bassman6685 the bobbins may be the same but the horseshoes are completely surrounded by the magnets whereas the hi-gains are just traditional single coils
The tone of this bass is pretty hard to beat! I like it!!
Thanks Sam!
Your playing ability and style is off the hook. I think your one of the best out there. You make slap bass seem so much fun . As for Wally the sound is truly incredible. The Joe Barden pickups do give it an incredible distinctive unique sound. I'm a new subscriber and I found your video's a great experience. I noticed your always smiling and laughing. Keep that going always. God Bless and keep going my brother. Till next time. Peace.
Thank you so much Mike!
Your video was really fun Lobster. I really like the tone of your new trick pony. That's impressive. Have a great day. Can't wait for your next fun video.
Thanks Rick!
Great bass. Awesome how you did the yes basslines finger style. You rock!!!!
sacrilege!!! lol
I had to watch this video with a lot of kitchen paper nearby, I was drooling all the time.
Everything in that bass looks/sounds perfect to me, those pickups sound killer!
I'd gladly add that bass to my tiny collection..
....but "it's yours and I can't have it"!
Thanks B@ssiCS!.... MIIIINNNNEEE ;P
Yes! This bass was one of the first things I noticed about (and commented on) your videos. Can't wait to hear all about it!
But, I must also say, long live the single-coil hum!
Thank you Justin! :)
The day after this video came out i bought my first rickenbacker bass. Im thinking when i collect it after its setup i might do a demo/review. Not many people have done youtube videos on the 4003ac.
Indeed! Those are a rare bird! Would love to see the video
A really nice bass too 🎸
:)
I’ve had a Ric 4001 and 3 4003’s over the years (they keep sucking me back in to their awesomeness) but I always had trouble getting used to the flat body and the sharp binding edge. The thin finish was kinda sucky too because it scratched so easily. This model looks like one I could really get into. Love the new pickups too. Sounds awesome.
Thanks Pat! Yeah man, the S models are much more comfortable. No hard edges, and the walnut one has the sweet satin finish!
Definitely one of the most beautiful Rick’s I’ve ever seen.
That black guard makes it! Looks great and sounds even better!
Thanks Meyers :)
I put a Nordenbocker in my 4003 and I love it. Still sounds like a Rick, but with more balls! And, because it’s reverse wound to the bridge pickup, it really does tame the hum, at least when your running both pickups.
Thanks Erik!
Oh it's so good. This is now my favorite Rick
Thanks Ross!
That was great! I have a 2012 Ruby Red 4003. GHS Boomers and its got the best bass tone Ive ever heard! Stock pups. Only mod I did was replace the stock nut with a bone nut, growley!
Thanks Mike :)
Best-sounding Ric I've heard.
Thank you :)
Oh snap! Getting your heart of the sunrise on!!! Nice lobster 🦞!!
Thanks man! It's one of my favorite songs. I only knew the intro lick part and never really bothered to learn the rest until literally a few hours ago. I might do a full cover of it, what a beautiful bassline!
That’s a great bass. Love that dual pickup bite. Never owned one. The slightly less that Fender long scale made make that subtle tone difference. Love the maple neck and mono layout. Fun video.
Thanks Rick!
Wow I love those pickups! I used to have a Ric but sold it years ago. My only complaint were the stock pickups.
I *really* don't like Rickenbackers, for some reason - but this looks and sounds better than most!
Thanks Jason!
Agree
Hi Mr. Lobster! This bass is my consumption dream. Too bad it is absurdly expensive and difficult to find here in Brazil. sometimes it costs the same as a popular used car.
Thanks Ricardo! I wonder if one of those awesome Brazillian luthiers would build you one. Love the Brazillian bass builders! Some of the best :)
I ve had both 4003 , Black Glo with white binding , shark tooth inlays with the Ric O Sound jack , standard jack , it is a brighter sound .
4001 with Horseshoe pickup Toaster pickup , which is what Chris Squire used , and McCartney , Very Different sounds , I found the 4001 a fuller deeper bass , but that was how I had my SVT 6 X10 HLF Adjusted , Alot depends on how the amp is set up , and if using a pick it is gonna be even more Tremble .
Chris Squire s bass was thinner from it be sanded down a few times, finally by guitar tech and finished at the end with that cream paint o the bass was alot thinner , lighter , and Chris wanted that tremble sound which really worked great for the band , I did use the the tremble knobs on the bass and the foam mute on the bridge .
Ric has alot of different things on what you can get now on models.
And they do sell parts , most do not know the differences between the two , The pickups are the best way Horseshoe is all metal the pickup is flat. Toaster flat with chrome metal .
The other pickups have round balls on top of the pickup , and a chrome plastic cover that can be taken off reveal the pickup with round balls on it . But Like the pickups you did on this 4003 , great job playing as always
Thank you Darryl! Great info!
Ric Face at 5:35!
The only other aftermarket Ric pups I've heard is the Nordstrand, which is really just a hi gain bridge in the neck position. These seem to maintain that distinct difference between bridge and neck. And I totally agree with you on the SW model. I had one in JetGlo and it felt like I was playing on fly paper. And that was before the finish gummed up completely and started to fall off. Sold it for a huge loss, but the silver lining being that it funded a Stingray!
Thanks Brett! Man, huge bummer on yours. That's one of the other reasons I went with the SW, I heard there were some major production/QC issues with the gloss finish. Last thing I'd ever want to do is make a Ric warranty claim XD. Sounds like even though you took a hit you still came out on top, The Ray is the way!
This thing is goals tbh. I’ve been listening to a lot of the jam which hasn’t been good for curbing my Rick urge lol
Thanks SKNuts! Got it for a steal too ($1300 new)
Amazing mods. I share your affinity for modern, noiseless setups on basses. Why put up with buzz and hum when you don't want to? Was looking at noiseless Rick options when i found this video. Sounds great. And I doubt anyone listening to a mix would pick them out as being "wrong." We massage our bass tones so much live and on recordings that people only know if it sounds good, not if it's a toaster or hi-gain or Barden in there.
I had a Ric 4004 for a minute and it was a monstrous sounding bass.
Unfortunately, the neck and ergonomics didn’t work for me at all, so is sold it.
That one you have sounds equally as good
Thank you LHaley :)
That is one Slick Ric (wooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) It certainly styles and profiles!
Thanks Chris!
Excellent Lobster thanks for sharing best wishes Paul
Liverpool UK
Thanks Paul! :)
Ah, almost forgot: From one Ric connoisseur to the other, there's one more little mod I can really recommend. The RETROVIBE bridge PU bezzel makes it so much more comfortable to play for me. That sharp edges of the original one with the cover removed really pissed me off. I also like the loods of the RETROVIBE one better. But that's just my personal taste.
Thanks for the tip! I'll check it out
I’m about to remove the pickup cover and install a treble bezel on my mapleglo 4003. My bezel is from TubeAmpology / thetreblebezel.
The 4003SW is the *only* modern Ricky bass that gives me gear lust. Well, that, and their one-off double necks. Anyway, this looks great with the black complements.
Thank you!
I think you already know but...
BEST VIDEO EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THANK YOU TOMMY :)
thats one sexy looking bass! totally my taste...walnut, maple fretboard, black pickguard:) .....sometime rickenbacker...sometime ..
Thanks Crusader :)
Didn't realize there were "tailor-made" humbucker pickups for the Rickenbacker 4000 series basses available until coming across this upload. Will definitely keep the Joe Barden ones in mind should I finally hit paydirt in landing a LH 4003S of my own because they honestly got it right with those! Surprised Rickenbacker didn't start going with them the moment they finally revised their long-suspect bridge design from 2020-onward, what a missed opportunity on their part...
😒
Thanks! I really love these bardens and the bass as a whole. It's far from perfect, but in a rock setting it absolutely snarls
@@LowEndLobster Well you certainly got me looking into a Walnut version of the 4003S model in the meantime as I'm not really a fan of lacquered/gloss necks, myself. Ric should've just made that a "customized" option (along with the unnecessary body binding, truth be told 🙄). Speaking of which, you should seriously consider putting one of those Zero-Mod thumb rest bars on yours (4003v2 'FatBoy' I HIGHLY recommend) and perhaps even string it up with some gold white-nylon La Bellas (750G) for one of your future "revisit" uploads. I'm actually curious as to how that bass will take to those relatively minor alterations as far as tone and playability go...
🤔
Real beauty i am in love with this bass have a nice day buddy +a lot of good things
Thank you Ram! Wishing you the best too :)
Hope I like what I heard ? That thing is awesome. Rickenbacker need to hire Lobster 🦞 for their tech department,…and their marketing department. I want one ☝🏼 !
Thanks Pwo!
Lobster releases his inner Lemmy! I'm not a fan of Rick's either, but you make this sound so great!
Thanks Breakit :)
You do great mod's, your playing is always entertaining, that bass is stunning. Only thing left to say, were is the CAT?
Thank you John! She's probably napping and being a mooch ;P
Holy crap Low! You may have created the ultimate bass! Run that bad boy through a Geddy Lee Preamp and you're rockin! Of course a 5 string would be just a "malankey bit better"!...
Hehehehe thank you Jeff! I totally would.... but my Geddy pre is in shambles for some frankenstein project which may have failed lol
Yeah, to my ears it didn’t sound Geddy/Squire enough; it needs more overdrive growl. Run it through Geddy’s Tech21 YYZ pedal or Tech21 2112 preamp.
Hey, I didn't know lobsters had the ability to read thoughts. This vid is exactly what I was waiting for when I saw that ric hanging at your wall watching your last video.
You came up with it before I asked, thank you!
Impressive sound from those Joe Barden PUs. Still has the classic Rickenbacker character and that 'smack' when hitting it hard. With that bridge humbucker the vintage switch finally makes sense. My own one (see profile pic) has the stock single coils and for me the vintage tone is just too thin in comparison to the fullrange tone. Also the neck PU sounds much more pronounced and has more definetion than the stock Ric single coil. Great mod!
Thought about getting the Nordenbacker neck PU, but now I think I should go for those Joe Bardens instead.
Thanks Bones! Yeah dude, the Bardens are where it's at. I'm so happy with them compared to the stock pickups. I haven't tried any of the other aftermarket ones, but I think this bass is already 'final form' Ric. I agree, the vintage switch with stock pickups thins the sound out a bit too much but it pairs much better with the Bardens. Happy modding!
That Walnut looks so grand! What are the new bridges like?
Less dumb but still very dumb hahahaha. There's little rollers on a threaded bar that allow you to control string spacing. It's difficult to get the string into the bridge without touching those and having to measure out your spacing again lol
You know, when I first found your channel I thought it was a bit gimmicky with the whole claw thing... But! Your channel is now my go to for bass reviews because you are brutally honest about everything, seem to have plenty of knowledge/experience, and your playing just keeps getting better! Thanks for doing what you do.
P.S. Someday I'll have to get my hands on one of those walnut Rickenbacker basses. That bass is badass to the extreme. I guess I'll just have to settle for my Fullerton Deluxe g&l jazz bass for now lol
I thought this was a 4004C at first. If you get a chance, you should get your hands on a 4004C. It's got simplified controls, two humbuckers and a Schaller bridge. Mine is pretty swell.
Niiice! Sounds great, but one of the secret sauce tones is both pickups on with the neck pickup volume rolled back just a hair.
If I were gonna get any 4003, it would be this one!
I just keep finding more 4004 models, though (Cheyennes or Laredos).,and They’re my favorites.
They already have RIC humbuckers as standard equipment.
Thanks Deesh! Yessss! That's one of my other favorite combos, just rolling off the neck slightly. Great comment!
Maybe someday I'll get a Ric. I can always dream.
Thanks Ronald :)
Sounds and looks great! I just kept hitting the like button the whole video!
Thank you Marks5s :)
Finally played heart of the sunrise!
SHARP! DISTANCE!
Fabulous! 👍🏻
Sounds killer. You should do a video modding one of the Sterling stingray’s frets. Just did on mine and fixed a lot of the fret buzz. Really simple process and takes maybe 20 minutes.
Thanks Mitchell! Do you mean like filing and leveling?
@@LowEndLobster Pretty much. I focused on the 12th and upper frets mostly. Lowered the action a bit and not as much neck relief is needed. I've had to take the strings off and file a couple of the frets a little more. Had to do that 4 times so far. There's one still in the E-string part that causes a little buzz that I need to fix. Fun project overall.
@@Brotesque89 thanks!
I'm into maple necks,nice Ric.We have more than bass in common, I'm a cat lover also.
Hell yeah Kev!
Sorry to hear your feline friend is unwell, hope they are back to full health soon. About the bass, great bass(other colour options?) great pick ups, an idea I haven't yet seen is to do a video with just the bridge pick up in vintage mode being put through an array of effects, that sound lends itself well to being effected IMO
That's a great idea. I need to mess around with more effects. Thank you!
Playing Chris Squire lines with fingers is sacrilege! Get thee a plectrum! Possibly even a quarter (as he was rumored to use sometimes, though most likely a Herco held textured side to the string).
Thanks Alan! Hahah, I've heard the quarter story! I'd be afraid of thwacking the bass by accident. Still practicing with my plectrum, we're getting there!
Use the lobster paw! 🦞
Sounds like a dream 🔥
Thanks Jason!
Ever seen Michael Parks Jrs Rickenbacker from the band All Them Witches? He sawed the top horn off and it looks so dang good. If I ever got a Rick, I'd do the same
Sacrilege! That “cresting” upper horn gives it its cool and distinct look.
He didn't do that he bought it that way. Someone had tried converting it to a lefty previously which is the only way he could have gotten it for such a steal.
The flame on that walnut is beaut man. You lucked out on the Rickenbacker woodgrain lottery there. Pick ups sound sweet, is the bridge the same shape as standard (ie will it fit in the bezels you get for removing the chrome cover?).
Nice!!, By the way, we got the same Dingwall bass
Sweet! I love my Dingwall, especially with the mods I did. It's a jack of all trades!
I'm actually on the fence about buying that one or the Al Cisneros Model. The regular trussrod, and the green inlays man.
Thanks Romain! Those ACs are awesome, I'd love to try one out. Really interesting design.
The AC has non-stock pickups already, so that would be a cool demo to see - also there's an upgraded bridge, but I've not looked at it that deep.
My vision starts blurring as soon as I realize an instrument is walnut. Walnut and Maple - those make me dizzy every time.
Nice bass. Great video too. Thanks.
My mapleglo 4003S is my most prized possession.
I’m lobster and I’m running out of projects!!
LOL Only if ;P
Sounds great! but I can't see why they don't include the triangle inlays on the 's' models. Those are some of the most unique inlays in the business...
I wish they'd include em on the 5'er!
HOLY💩💩!!
Bridge PUP does have that " good ol' Ric sound"!🤗
Seriously dig the vintage tone!👍🏿👍🏿
I never thought I'd change PUPS on my Ricky, but that sounds impressive! 🔊
I like whatcha done ta Wally!
Just readjusted mine as well.
Seriously think I need to get rid of that cover. Got a buzzzzz on the top 4 frets, so I have to bring the neck forward another 1/8 turn. But start hitting that thing.
Did you have to bring yours forward much?🤔
Thank you! Yeah I'm at nearly full relief on both rods to get er straight.
Love it! ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Thank you! :)
Have always been one of my top 3 favorite Basses and I’m getting one soon! How much is this exact model? I’ve always like the 4003S models more being a stripped down version.
Thank you Irishman! The 'price' has been something of an enigma for these Rics. The true price is usually much less than the 'advertised' price of $2k+ USD. You just need to know to ask for the 'best price'. I got this last year for $1300 brand new
LowEndLobster : A bass built like that, sounds like that and looks like that is a bargain at $1300.00! You like those pickups clearly over the stock Ric pickups. The only thing I’d say about Ric’s is dealing with the company. I’ve worked as a certified Luthier for years and getting parts from Rickenbacker has never been easy.
@@theirritatedirishman5440 I've heard similar. Hope I never have to deal with em personally
That Ric is out of this world! I recently saw a video in which you used flats. What kind and gauge were those?
Those TIs were also 45-105
So glad to hear that. I love TI’s and also have them on my 4003 Fireglo. I’m really digging the Walnut Ric though. Love you mods that you did to it, too. Thanks for the reply!
I like Ric's.... But the cost, particularly "opportunity cost." I could get 2 or more basses that sound great (sure different) and have money left. Cool video for sure.
Thanks M Perk! I purchased this for $1300 new. A lot of the 'Rics are super expensive' mentality comes from seeing what they 'list' for. I'd never pay $2k for one of em!
@@LowEndLobster that is not bad at all. I've seen some priced $3k and up. I started ignoring them after that. To be fair, I'd probably still sound bad. Which reminds me.... I gotta go practice more
Great pickups. I have the 4003S and they are fabulously unique basses. Oh, and you have forgot to demo with a pick again. You can't demo a Ric without the Pick ;)
Loved the look of the walnut with the black pick guard... I just bought one to customize. This bass will replace a 1981 Ruby Red 4003 that was stolen from me over 20 years ago. I always wanted a Ricky back in the guitarsenal. Problem is... where can I get a back truss rod cover? Thanks for any help in locating one.
Let’s goooooo
WOOOO!
Digging that Vintage tone.
Would you want the Ric-O-Sound for the bass or did you want the model without it?
Side Note - Found a new bass for you to possibly review ... The Schecter Banshee. Would love to hear your take on it.
Thanks Tim! I wanted the model without it. I am not looking to run two separate amps for the bass haha. The Banshee is cool! Played one briefly at GC. Hopefully will snag one to review at some point :)
I want it!
Thanks Abouc :)
Hey Lobster! Any thoughts on modding a ATK 200 and installing one of these JBE neck pickups? I am itching for a tone in the ballpark of the soloed JBE neck pickup you showcase here.
I would transform the ATK into a single pickup bass with just tone and volume controls. The stock quad humbucker would become a dummy pickup. The body shape, weight, and feel, and the neck profile of the ATK are perfect. I'm just not vibing with the MMish sound.
I like Rickenbackers, and though I've never owned a real one, I did get as close as its possible to get and had a CMI Faker from the 70s. Everyone who saw it with the fake truss rod cover on it believed it was a real Rick, and even close up it was hard to tell; it even had the Rick-O-Sound output. I removed the resistor from the bridge pickup though, it was far too thin sounding for me, I probably should have modded with a push-pull pot and left the option in, but it sounded amazing without it.
But for me, it was never a finger-style bass, that just felt really weird. Like watching TV with your parents when a sex scene comes on.
LOL that last line! Great comment Eddie, thank you! That Faker sounds like it was awesome!
@@LowEndLobster Thank you, sir! All compliments enthusiastically hoovered up. ;-D
Just me but I prefer the looks of the 4001v63 lmao. There's something about the larger pickguard that I like aesthetically.
Oh man, I would LOVE a V63... or even just to mod/build a 4003S in V63 style ;)
@@LowEndLobster you know what you need to do hahahaha.
I have an '01 V63 I bought brand new. It's so loud and piercing I get vertigo after playing it for too long. One of my favorite bases. It's probably twice as loud as my '78 4001. I friggin' dropped it last night though trying to put it away safely. Apparently, it didn't want to be locked away. They just have too much guts.
Lobster: thanks to your videos, I ordered a new Rick :D Where did you find the black guard and truss-rod cover? I've got a few leads, but sure could use some help. Thanks!
Hey Monahan! Pickguard I got from pickguard planet I believe. The TRC is from Etsy.
@@LowEndLobster Thanks brother!
Sick bass man!! How many basses do you have Lobster rsrs??
Thank you Marcio! Too many hahaha, (in the mid 50's)
*W A L N U T*
Wally 'Deeznutz' Rickenbacker is this basses full name ;P
@@LowEndLobster I might have called him Harvey Nutbanger but hey I'm a cretin
but still - we don't see many but we get reminded why walnut is a super choice wood for basses. I've never got to play one personally so I can't speak to nuances and there really aren't a lot of demos to A/B but I literally had a walnut tree in my front yard growing up that was one of my escape routes from people who probably would have ended up better if they had treated people nicer in general. :-)
There is literal wood named Ligma by the way so DON'T TEMPT ME TO MAKE A LIGMA BASS
Call it the Ligma Sigma XD
Nice Shirt 🐈😃
Thank you :)
Thanks Lobster, are you sure that I can't have it? Maybe just for a little while?
You drive a hard bargain ;P
@@LowEndLobster Bahahahaha!!! Thank you, I am holding my breath now.
I notice you ditched the tardy and naff pick up cover.
Yup, hate that with a passion
Just dropped a pair of these in one of my 4003s. The individual positions sound great, but the tone vanished when both are selected.
That's odd. Maybe a phase issue? Though TBH I never run mine at 50/50, I always back off the neck pickup a smidge
Try inverting the ground and hot for one of the pickups.
Ok...I know I comment on this video A LOT!!!!’
I know you don’t really want to “mod experiment” The fine sir Wally....BUT, I want to put a video request for the Babicz Ric replacement saddles, or whatever it’s called. I’m really on the fence with this one, I’m trying to decide between hipshot and babicz. I know it’s a lot to ask.... but there’s only 1 person on RUclips that has addressed it, and as many videos I watch you do, I can honestly say that if you like or don’t like it, you’ll give it the review it needs.
But it’s just a request, and you’re awesome wether you do it or not!!!!
Also....Sims super quads
Just putting that in your ear.
Cheers.
Thanks Tommy! I would absolutely love to!... but my bass has the V2 bridge. Those are for the V1 bridges.
@@LowEndLobster ahhhhhhhh... that’s right!!!! I forgot!!!! Dag namnt!!! Oh well. Thanks for answering, anyway
Of course!
@@LowEndLobster cheers
i want a rick so bad
Thanks RICardo ;P
Chris Squire's Rick was so heavily modified (to correct it's numerous faults) that it wasn't a Rickenbacker anymore.
Geddy Lee dumped his Ricks in favour of the massively superior Fender Jazz.
Yup! I'm definitely not a Ric apologist. They're silly flawed instruments that do make some great tones, but are not practical in many ways.
@@LowEndLobster I definitely like your Rick more than my 4003 Jetglo, which was the worst purchase I've made in my life.
I had the privilege of speaking to the one and only Skully (Geddy's bass tech) and he was overjoyed when geddy stopped using the Ricks.
Only wished I'd had that conversation with him before dumping my cash into one.
@@TenFalconsMusic I feel you. Back in 2004, I saved up my pennies in high school and bought a Jetglo 4003. I was expecting it to be everything a bass could be for me and I was soooo disappointed. Rose colored glasses were a thing for a while, but as soon as I started to get more into playing other genres of music outside of Rock (jazz, funk, r&b, etc), my Ric strung up with the Rotosound Swing 66 rounds really was not up to the task. You know, "Fly me to the moon" sounds great when there's a hairy high school lobster playing the walking line with his Ric going "CLANK CLANK CLANK CLANK" ahahaha
@@LowEndLobster I would be chuffed to absolute bits if you broke into 'Rock Lobster' during one of your demos. Covertly of course.
That's if you haven't already. Granted you'd probably get a copyright strike from RUclips if you did... so don't risk it on my behalf.
Were these new pickups direct drop-ins? Or did you have to do anything extra to the pickup cavities to make them fit. I have a 4003 and I’m very tempted to get these pickups. Thanks!
They're a direct fit
Whats's the first sentence you always say?
Salidations cristations?
What does that mean?
Salutations Crustaceans! I am saying hello to all the crabs, lobsters, shrimp, and barnacles out there ;P
@@LowEndLobster Now i get it! : )
I bought a pair of RBE4000 and one of them came defective :(((