This is the walnut series version of the 4003S. The solid and natural look of a walnut body with a maple fingerboard. This version puts out even warmer bass tones than the maple version.
This traditional Rickenbacker bass style with dot inlays and no binding was prized by Paul McCartney and Chris Squire when they got their first 4001S models in 1964. Players cherish its traditional look and rounded edges that many claim make it more comfortable than the 4003.
The updated 4003SW version comes with the improved dual trussrod system. Of course, the famous solid bass tones, ringing sustain and treble punch were known for make it a dream. Its no wonder Rickenbacker received a steady demand of requests to bring this back.
This design was once exclusive to the British distributor Rose Morris in the '60s. Iconic curves of maple form the body with a traditional rosewood fingerboard. Dot inlays and no binding make this stand out from the standard 4003.
Includes hardshell case.
Neck
Shape: C
Wood: Maple
Neck joint: Neck-through
Scale length: 33.25"
Truss rod: Yes
Finish: Info not available
Pickups
Active or passive pickups: Passive
Pickup configuration: SS
Neck: Single-coil
Middle: Not applicable
Bridge: Single-coil
Brand: Custom
Series or parallel: Parallel
Active preamp: Not applicable
Special electronics: Not applicable
Fretboard
Material: Rosewood
Radius: 10" (25.4cm)
Fret size: Medium
Number of frets: 20
Inlays: Dot
Nut material: Info not available
Nut width: 1.688" (42.9mm)
Neck width at 12 fret: 2.125" (54mm)
Body
Cutaway: Double cutaway
Construction: Solidbody
Body wood: Walnut
Top wood: Not applicable
Body finish: Info not available
Orientation: Right handed
Controls
Control layout: Info not available
Pickup switch: Yes
Coil tap or split: Not applicable
Tone switching: No
Special switching: No
Hardware
Bridge type: Fixed
Bridge design: RIC
Tailpiece: RIC
Tuning machines: Schaller Deluxe
Color: Chrome
Other
Number of strings: 4
Pickguard: Yes
Special features: Not applicable
Case: Hardshell case
Accessories: Info not available
Country of origin: USA
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This is my new go-to bass. Plays well, sounds great!
Rickenbacker 4003SW Walnut Electric Bass Guitar Natural
.The Ric for me. I love the way 4001/4003 series sounds, just didn't care for the feel of the binding and lack of contours on the body. I tried the 4004 series and they are great but don't have that classic sound I love. So when they re-released the S series I couldn't wait any more. The bass plays great looks incredible and nails that classic Ric sound with a little extra low end that the originals were missing. Grain matching on mine is great and beautiful.
From RIc I've owned a 4003, 4003W, 4004Cii, 4004L the 4003SW is by far my favorite. Especially after some shielding and the RWRP Bridge Pickup Mod (from over on talkbass. It flips the bridge coil so with both pickups on it is humbucking and almost noise free.
I call this bass my black friday miracle.
Rickenbacker 4003SW Walnut Electric Bass Guitar Natural
.I've had a 4003 {Mapleglo) for six years and, as beautiful as it is and as great as it sounds, found felt like playing an ironing board compared to any of my Jazz or even my P basses. When the 4003sw arrived, it was set up very well at the factory, actually having the zero relied Ricks need. That inspired me to finally be bold enough to crank the trusses harder on the original 4003 and finally get that neck to zero relief (I suspect the wood was too green when they finished it).
Now, both play much better but still nowhere as smoothly as a Fender. But the sound is extraordinary. Perhaps the original Rick design was for guitarists who were "forced" to switch to bass because the band needed a bass player. I say that because the slightly shorter scale and the wide string spacing suggests the instrument was designed more for picking than finger playing. Once I realign my muscle memory slightly, I can play it comfortably but the Fenders are definitely faster.
I went with the 4003s in Walnut, even though the 4003 looks even better (the gloss finish brings out the walnut grain better) because I didn't need two essentially identical (and EXPENSIVE) basses and I'm glad I did. The "s" is VERY light (half the weight of my 75 ash Jazz) and not having binding makes it a bit more comfortable (neck and body). The dot inlay neck definitely gives it a vintage groove. The biggest question you need to ask yourself is whether you want a satin finish ("s") or a gloss finish. The gloss is sexy beyond belief but I personally find a satin neck faster and more comfortable.
It's a fine instrument not only in itself, but also because it brought new life to my appreciation of my 4003.
Rickenbacker 4003SW Walnut Electric Bass Guitar Natural
.First off, I have 2 other Ric basses. A 1979 4001 (JetGlo), and a 2010 4001C64 (MapleGlo). The 4003SW is by far the prettiest of them. Plus, it plays like a dream. I went to a Fender P-Bass because I am partial to maple fret-boards. Nothing wrong with Rosewood, just a personal preference. The walnut body with the maple stripe from the through the body neck is spectacular. I also prefer the dot inlays on a Ric.
The neck is fast and true and easy to play. The sound of the 4003SW is a bit warmer that the standard maple. To my ears, that's a good thing. The absence of the binding makes it more comfortable than the 4003.
As of yesterday, my other Rics and the P-Bass are gong into the closet. This is now my number one instrument for bass!
The construction is solid as it is on all Rics. I have numerous 6 strings as well, including a 1960 450 that still plays as good as the day I got it. Rics are exceptional instruments that will last forever (unless you are Pete Townsend). My first ever new guitar was a MapleGlo 320 that I have to this day (minus the 17 years when it was stolen). I found it again after that long length of time due to the beautiful grain in the wood. A friend of mine sent me some pictures of me playing it and after much searching on the internet, I found MY original guitar in pretty much the same condition it was in when it was stolen. I was so happy to get it back, I gave it a little face-lift ... gold pickguard and truss rod cover, trapeze tailpiece and grover tuners.
Sorry for digressing, but Rickenbacker makes quality instruments at reasonable prices. You can't go wrong with a Ric! They are beautiful, well made, and infinitely playable for as long as take care of it.
The 4003SW is really something. If Rickenbacker ever decides to make a MapleGlo 4003S or (dream guitar: a Mapleglo 4001C64) with a maple fret-board, I will be one of the first ones on the list to get it.
As a wise musician said to me several times ... "Just play, man!"
Rickenbacker 4003SW Walnut Electric Bass Guitar Natural
.What a great Bass, I actually prefer this model Rick over my 80s Jet Glow 4003.. In this case for me, less is better. ,. The SW body' with it's rounded couture d edges without the white binding does not dig into my forearm during long sessions, making it much more comfortable. The neck is bit thinner and the smoooth ultra low satin finish makes for faster playing, it feels as though it's practically unfinished, which I really favor, plus it's a couple of oz. shy of being two pounds lighter.
Strung with TI Flat-wounds, they both sound very similar, the Walnut S maybe a bit brighter on high end
The finish on the walnut body is Absolutely Beautiful.
No, it doesn't have the nice fingerboard inlays or binding and Rick o Sound that the Standard 4003 offers, But it stand' s out in it's own way.., It' should be one great bass for the road
I am a big Rick fan period. Painted ,Walnut,, Whatever Model, It's a personal preference for sure, However, you may want to try out one of the S or SW models. You may be surprised that less may offer more. and save you some coin at the same time .
Rickenbacker 4003SW Walnut Electric Bass Guitar Natural
.Mostly well made. Perty! Great sounding to some. Plenty of fret noise when playing un-plugged but the fret noise is not much audible when amplified. I was disappointed that the fret-ends were not finished all that well. They hung off the edge of the fretboard more than I expected for a new guitar of this price range. Easier to fix myself than send it back. And that long outdated bridge and pickup cover. C'mon!
Still, it looks geat and sounds better and I always wanted a 4003. I've played plenty of them over the years, but this is my 1st as an owner. I'm happy they re-launched the 4003S and extra happy for the walnut version! Now to remove the pickup cover and replace the bridge etc..etc...
PS: Custom Guitar's friend did a great job on the phone call I made to order the bass, as well as shipping quickly and packing the bass for shipping. Atta go!
Rickenbacker 4003SW Walnut Electric Bass Guitar Natural
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