I've always loved and wanted a Rickenbacker for the craftsmanship, sound and history. I recently picked up the 4003 and it's everything I hoped it'd be. The tone, playability and look are what puts this bass above all others. There are plenty of great and more affordable basses on the market as there is pro's and con's to every instrument-I also own and play both Fender and Gibson basses, but everything will take the backseat to my new Rick. Yes, It's an expensive bass-quality and durability are never cheap, but if it's within your budget I'd highly reccomend getting one. I love mine.

BZ

Westchester County, NY

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

Rickmaniac

PEI, Canada

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.

Mark

San Antonio, TX

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.

Bassman500/1

Upper Darby, PA

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

Carlo Spicy Weiner

Boston, MA

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.

Wagner

Brasilia, Brazil

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

Carlo Spicy Weiner

Boston, MA

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.

Jazz Rocks

Richmond, VA

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.

Mike

Queens, NY

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.

PLaTINUM Axxe

Marlton NJ