Where do I begin ? I've longed for one of these babies since ~ 1977,when I saw a Shaftsbury copy,while buying my (substantially cheaper)Custom P-Bass copy.Fast-Forward to last Tuesday.Had briefly tried it in the shop,but couldn't wait to get home & get to the practice rooms to put it through it's paces.Off to a bad start as the room we were allocated had my least fave amp.A Peavey combo with FX (which I can never seem to fully turn off) & a shagged speaker hence it was connected to an even more shagged out4 x 10 cab.Anyway,plugged in turned up and...Heaven !! Had been concerned about the so-called "Rickenbacker clank" & it being too trebly.Not so. This Bass has all the beefy warmth from the neck p/up along with "ringing sustain & treble punch" (official adverting blurb)from the bridge, and I play hard 'n' heavy with a plectrum. If played with the fingers,a filling-loosening "Dub" bass can be achieved.One of the common criticisms levelled at this guitar (Harmony Central reviews)is that the bridge p/up cover gets in the way (for finger players)& most peole remove it.However I ,as I said, play 97.352% of the time with a plec' & I find the cover the ideal place to rest the heel of my hand or pinky.To recap on the sound.The 4003 is not the one-trick-pony it is often made out to be it has the full tonal range that you would expect from a quality instrument.Wide'ish shallow-profile neck,very nice feel,low action & no Fret-buzz.Lacquered 'board feels good too (I'm used to ebony & rosewood).Balances well & the subtle contouring fits my beer-gut like a glove. Now onto looks.Not everyone's cup of Lapsang Souchong,but I think it's f***ing beautiful.The Jetglo (black) finish is mirror-like & flawless,the binding perfect.Hard-ware all chrome & solid (except for the aforementioned p/up cover,which is chromed plastic !?).Before I bought this guitar I had thought about replacing the scratch-plate with a black 3-ply,but don't think I'll bother.The only criticism I have of this guitar is the 2 little grub-screws on the tail-piece,which could catch your hand,if you play at the bridge.
This guitar oozes quality.100% MIA ("and always will be.We need the jobs" John Hall,Rickenbacker).Try one if you get a chance.A very,very nice guitar.Can you tell I'm happy ?
Oh aye ! It cost a quid short of a grand.
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Gerry,
T.A.F.K.A.G.O.B