Rickenbacker 4003 Bass Guitar with Hardshell Case

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Rickenbacker 4003 Bass Guitar with Hardshell Case

This is it, the Classic Rickenbacker 4003 Electric Bass Guitar - famous for its ringing sustain, treble punch and solid underlying bass -- hand made in the USA. Rickenbacker introduced its 4000 series basses in 1957 and the incredible sound, balance, and sustain of these basses have made them the choice for rock players for over fifty years, including John Entwistle of the Who, Roger Waters of Pink Floyd, and many others.

The Rickenbacker 4003 bass features neck through body construction providing extra sustain, particularly at the low end, due to enhanced rigidity. With the stereo "Rick-O-Sound" output, you can achieve classic Rickenbacker bass effects by routing the bridge pickup through a guitar rig and the neck pickup through your bass rig.

A subtle strip of binding graces the elegantly curved body and the Rosewood fingerboard. Deluxe triangular inlays and stereo capability are standard features. Includes deluxe hardshell case. The piano string-like ring, punch and sustain brought the bass player out of the shadows and into the spotlight. Entire new dimensions of bass playing capabilities are directly attributable to this venerable series.

Internationally acclaimed pickups

Adolf Rickenbacker invented the electric guitar pickup and the bass pickup used in the Rickenbacker 4003 can be traced to his original 1928 patent. The bass pickup is renowned for unbelievable clarity and wide range response. Both pickups are single-coil, hum protected designs with high power output. Adjustment screws allow players to lower and raise the pickups to their personal preference.

A balanced neck and body system

The Rickenbacker 4003 has a shape and scuptural design that assures perfect balance of the bass in your hands. The neck is thin and extremely fast to make it easy to play for hours on end without fatigue. Full cutaways give you access to the highest frets without difficulty.

Neck-Through Body Construction

Always the hallmark of a Rickenbacker, the neck runs the full length of the bass; string tension remains entirely on one laminated wood assembly. The result is a lifetime of accuracy of alignment, plus markedly superior sustain and tone. All bass necks have two field replaceable truss rods, allowing for each side to be adjusted separately.

Ultimate Control

The toggle pickup selector may be used to switch from one output channel to the other, or combine both. Each 4003 bass has separate treble and bass tone controls and separate pickup volume controls. The control knobs were selected not only for aesthetic reasons, but also for visibility in typical low light situations.

Bass Tuning Keys

The keywinds are superbly crafted to microscopically fine tolerances. As a result, gear backlash and slippage are virtually eliminated. All components are completely removable for cleaning or maintenance and finished to a superlative smoothness, fully protected from hard use or abuse.

Includes Deluxe Hardshell Case

A deluxe hardshell case is included with each Rickenbacker bass. Plush lined and finished in black leathercloth trim, this hard wearing case features an accessory pocket, heavy duty hardware and extra padding.

Rickenbacker basses are still hand-made in America, using traditional methods refined and honed since Adolf Rickenbacker put his first guitar in service at the United States Patent Office over 70 years ago. Experienced craftsmen lovingly oversee every detail of production. No robots, no computerized machinery - just human hands and eyes, backed by a determination to make, quite simply, the best instruments possible.

Call or click today to get your Rickenbacker 4003 Bass Guitar from Sam Ash Direct. You'll get free shipping, our legendary 24/7 customer support, and our 45/60 day return/price protection policy to back it up. Sam Ash is the place for Rickenbacker.

Features:

Maple body and neck

Neck Thru-Body Construction

Rosewood fingerboard with deluxe triangular inlays

Two custom Rickenbacker pickups

Stereo and mono outputs

Bound neck and body

Deluxe Plush lined hardshell case

Neck Joint	Neck Through
Frets	20
Model	4003
Series	4000
Fingerboard	Rosewood
Controls	2 Vol, 2 Tone, 3 Way Switch
Machine Heads	Schaller Deluxe
Bridge	RIC
Scale Length	other
Case Included	Yes
Neck Wood	Maple
Pickups	Passive
Body Wood	Maple
Pickguard	Yes
# of strings	4

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews

RickenbackerModel 4003 4 String Bass (Assorted Colors)

5.0

(based on 20 reviews)

100%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

Fun to play (15)
Good tone (14)
Good feel (13)
Good pick up (13)
Solid electronics (13)

Cons

Best Uses

Jamming (9)
Recording (8)
Rock concerts (7)
Advanced players (6)
Performance (5)

- Reviewer Profile:
- Experienced (7)

Reviewed by 20 customers

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Displaying reviews 1-10

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11/27/2011

(1 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Great bass

By Rickmaniac

from PEI, Canada

About Me Experienced

Pros

Fun To Play
Good Feel
Good Pick Up
Good Tone
Solid Electronics

Cons

Best Uses

Comments about Rickenbacker Model 4003 4 String Bass (Assorted Colors):

It's a Rickenbacker. What else there is to say.

7/29/2011

(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

work of art

By Mark

from San Antonio, TX

About Me Experienced

Pros

Fun To Play
Good Feel
Good Pick Up
Good Tone
Solid Electronics

Cons

Best Uses

Comments about Rickenbacker Model 4003 4 String Bass (Assorted Colors):

I have played guitars for over 20 years and have always wanted to get a bass. My brother plays bass so I have had a chance to try a Fender, Epiphone, and a few others but had never liked any of them enough to decide I needed to spend the money for a bass. I decided if I was going to get a bass, it would have to be a great one because I would regret it otherwise. I finally had a chance to play a Rickenbacker and I was hooked.
The tone is incredible. The sustain is like no other guitar I have ever heard. The action was not really different than my Stratocaster. It is a fantastic masterpiece.
My only regret is that I didn't buy one 20 years earlier.

7/3/2011

5.0

Rickenbacker 4003 Bass Fireglo

By Bassman500/1

from Upper Darby, PA

About Me Experienced

Pros

Fun To Play
Good Feel
Good Pick Up
Good Tone
Solid Electronics

Cons

Best Uses

Jamming
Practicing
Recording
Rock Concerts
School Bands

Comments about Rickenbacker Model 4003 4 String Bass (Assorted Colors):

I tried one of these basses at a Sam Ash in Florida, and it was Amazing!!!
The tone is great, the vintage tone knob
is a nice feature, it's a little heavy but still
a good bass, and one more thing pictures online
DO NOT compare to what it looks like in person.
The E-string sounds SOOOO deep even though it's
still in regular tuning. When my dad played it he said he could only hear Chris Squire Tone.

9/24/2010

5.0

Wildest Dreams

By Carlo Spicy Weiner

from Boston, MA

About Me Professional Musician

Pros

Fun To Play
Good Feel
Good Pick Up
Good Tone
Solid Electronics

Cons

Best Uses

Jamming
Practicing
Recording
Rock Concerts
School Bands
Small Venues

Comments about Rickenbacker Model 4003 4 String Bass (Assorted Colors):

Waited 2 years for it, worth every penny and day of waiting.

9/6/2010

5.0

trully vintage

By Wagner

from Brasilia, Brazil

About Me Experienced

Pros

Fun To Play
Good Feel
Good Pick Up
Good Tone
Solid Electronics

Cons

Best Uses

Recording
Rock Concerts

Comments about Rickenbacker Model 4003 4 String Bass (Assorted Colors):

I have a few basses: Fender american deluxe, Warwick thumb neckthru, Musicman Stingray. I bought the Rick because its a really beautyfull bass. I'd never have the oportunity to play one before and now, I am just stoned with the sound. It delivers a vintage fat unique sound . A tip: to get the best sound you need to expend some time tuning and adjusting the controls and the pickups.Its a very good choice.

2/24/2010

(1 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

This thing is sick

By Carlo Spicy Weiner

from Boston, MA

About Me Experienced

Pros

Everything

Cons

Black finish scratches

Best Uses

everything

Comments about Rickenbacker Model 4003 4 String Bass (Assorted Colors):

Sounds great playing anything, seriously, not kidding, for real. Buy it, because I said so.

4/27/2009

(3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Beautiful AND Smart

By Jazz Rocks

from Richmond, VA

About Me Professional Musician

Pros

Fun To Play
Good Feel
Good Pick Up
Good Tone
Solid Electronics

Cons

Needs body contouring

Best Uses

Jamming
Recording
Rock Concerts
Small Venues

Comments about Rickenbacker Model 4003 4 String Bass (Assorted Colors):

I've been playing bass for over 30 years and this is my first Ric. I've got other very nice basses, but at a gig recently, I broke a string on my 5 string Spector, switched to the Ric and the crowd went wild. I was later told that the tone was better and as I expected, it really cuts thru the mix. And that's compared to a [$]Stuart Spector that is no slouch on it's own.

2/12/2009

(8 of 8 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Awesome!!!

By Mike

from Queens, NY

About Me Experienced

Pros

Beautiful to look at
Built in mutes
Fun To Play
Good Feel
Good Pick Up
Good Tone
MADE IN THE USA
Solid Electronics

Cons

Best Uses

Jamming
Practicing
Recording
Rock Concerts
School Bands
Small Venues

Comments about Rickenbacker Model 4003 4 String Bass (Assorted Colors):

This bass is a beauty. It is like the swiss army knife of basses. It has everything you need to play attached on it. It can alternate between a sharper toned modern sound or a classic rock like thud with the pull of a knob. The 4003 has built in mutes at the bridge wich add a new diverse sounds with the turn of a knob, or two, if you want to mute all 4 strings. The pick ups are so well crafted and the bass as a whole gives off a very unique sound.
The neck is smooth and easy to work up and down on. And, the finish is of the highest quality. I think Rickenbacker is still the only major music company that makes their instruments totaly by hand. And, they are made in the U.S.A.
I purchased mine a few days ago at a Sam Ash in NY, and I don't regret it for a moment. I got it in Fire Glow and that is the color I recommend to the fullest.

12/30/2008

(4 of 4 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Ricks Friggin rule, Period.

By PLaTINUM Axxe

from Marlton NJ

Pros

Fun To Play
Good Feel
Good Pick Up
Good Tone
Solid Electronics

Cons

Best Uses

Jamming
Practicing
Recording
Rock Concerts

Comments about Rickenbacker Model 4003 4 String Bass (Assorted Colors):

After looking around for 10 to 15 years I found a chance at a 70's 4003 (73). Turned out to be a little rough, needed new electrics, a new bridge but was cosmeticaly very, very nice for a 35 year old Rick. Red burst. Straight as a new arrow. So I gave the go ahead to work the deal[$] plus new pickguard, pots, bridge and strings. Probably spent [$] less than a brand new one but so what. Four weeks later, Wow, I am so glad I jumped on this. When I plugged it in and started jammin with some Rush and Yes CDs I was in heaven. Both pick ups really are strong! And what a sweet sound in stereo, Bridge p/u through 4 x 12s cab. and neck p/u through 2 x 15s. Go to a Sam Ash or where ever you can find a Rick plug it in and PLAY. That is all you have to do. No salesman needed. Your ears will do all the convincing needed to get you motivated to owning what may be the finest and most instantly recognizable bass sound out there. The playability is also smooth and easy, much more comfortable than I expected. I think I'll go plug mine in and play now. Rich W.

12/20/2007

(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

The One and Only...

By Rushbassman

from somewhere in PA

About Me Experienced

Pros

Fun To Play
Good Feel
Good Pick Up
Good Tone
Solid Electronics

Cons

Best Uses

Jamming
Practicing
Recording
Rock Concerts
Small Venues

Comments about Rickenbacker Model 4003 4 String Bass (Assorted Colors):

My dad owns an '83 4003, and it is da bomb! It's got that soft McCartney sound, but you can also get the Chris Squire growl and the Geddy Lee punch. It's also amazing to look at. It's in natural, or Mapleglo, as Rickenbacker calls it.
I have played an '07 4003, and you can barely tell the difference between the two. Expect for the vintage tone switch, everything is the same.
If you've got the bucks, buy it!

Displaying reviews 1-10

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Rickenbacker 4003 Bass Guitar with Hardshell Case
Rickenbacker International Corp. guarantees their instruments to be free from defective materials and workmanship to the original purchaser for five years, except for the finish, which is guaranteed for one year. This warranty begins upon the date of manufacture as stamped on the Rickenbacker Warranty card.

Rickenbacker 4003 Bass Guitar with Hardshell Case

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