Rickenbacker 4003 Stereo Bass Guitar - Matte Black Reviews
"Roundabout." The sound of that legendary Yes bass line is seared into the auditory memory of many of the musicians here at Sweetwater: an early-1960s Rickenbacker strung with roundwounds and played with a heavy-gauge nylon pick. With their punchy treble, solid bottom end, and ringing sustain, Rickenbacker basses helped forge the sound of classic rock in the capable hands of progressive bassists such as Chris Squire, Paul McCartney, and Geddy Lee. It's an iconic sound, and there's only one way to get it. Today's formidable Rickenbacker 4003 delivers those inimitable bass tones, along with stereo output, in a sleek instrument that's primed for a new millennium.
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Highest Rated Reviews
I love it.
I love this bass. There is a string buzz which I found is just the nature of the beast. A bit of different
fingering and muting habits to overhaul and the sound and feel is amazing.
Sweetwater is the first place to go for anything and everything musical. They were willing to pay for full
setup at my local shop even though there was nothing wrong with my bass other than my bad habits.
Back In Black Awesomeness
As a bassist of 25 years who owns many of the iconic basses to include Music Man Stingrays and American Fender Precision and Jazz basses, I never purchased a Rickenbacker due to cost and what I believed to be a limited bass tone. Boy was I wrong and can honestly say this is the best bass in my arsenal. Everything from the look (black matte), feel, craftsmanship, and most importantly the tone is on point. This is the bass I always wanted and needed. So save your money and get yourself a Rickenbacker! Based on previous reviews one has to talk about the exceptional Sweetwater customer service. This was an actual birthday gift from my Dad and he sent me a beautiful mapleglo version that was beautiful, but after a week I realized that I really wanted the black matte. Within 7-days the mapleglo was sent back and the black matte was in my hands. Job well done Sweetwater!
4003 MBL
This is an amazing bass guitar with an amazing finish! Nothing beats a Ric bass and the matte finish is one of my favorites now. Came with a high quality Ric bass case too. Very happy with this purchase!
There's a reason the big names play Rics!!
Quality is the word for this instrument! Beautiful, clean, great sound; makes you get that excited feeling when you hear the notes and tones from some of your favorite songs from your favorite artists coming out of you amp!! This bass has a lot of versatility, in my opinion. I don't claim to be a great player, but there is no comparison in feel, sound, precision to my old Squire. Played a lot of different basses and never gave rickenbacker that much thought, this was the right choice for me and I doubt anyone would regret owning this instrument.
Rickenbacker 403W
I have owned Rickenbacker Basses before and through my own foolishness did not keep them. When my new 4003W arrived and I started playing it, All those memories came flooding back!! It was like this bass was made for my hands and my hands only!!!!! There can be no better bass for me. The action, the feel, the SOUND! this bass has immediately moved to #1 in my rotation and will likely remain there! Thank you Rickenbacker for maintaining you highest standards and continuing to produce these ultimate instruments.
Poor quality control on my particular instrument. No excuse for the hardshell case.
This bass has a great sound and feel.
I opted for the matte finish so the neck would feel extra fast.
The edge where the forearm rests will probably bother your if you've never tried an instrument with a similar sharp edge, so keep that in mind.
Now for the bad QC...
-POOR fitting factory hardshell case. There's about 1 1/2 inches of space for the instrument to bounce up and down in and about a fingers thickness of space for it to move side to side.
-G string tuning machine is screwed on crooked and the metal sticks out the side of the headstock.
-Bubbles/Knicks/Dings in the finish
-Glue residue? where the neck meets the pick guard
-Poor binding detailing near the bottom strap button
-Some weird smudge near the nut
-scratched up serial number plate near the screw
-One inlay has a dark spot in it
I may just be picky, but an American made instrument with this price tag should be nearly flawless.
There's absolutely no excuse for this hardshell case though.
I took off a full star from the rating due to the terrible case and another half a star for the quality control (on this particular instrument).
Sweetwater only allows 6 photos to be uploaded for reviews otherwise I'd post more.
