[SOLVED!] Best Of The Bass: Rickenbacker 4003 Vs. 4001

Today, Rickenbacker is well-known for manufacturing high-quality guitars and in the bass category, two of its products have gained great fame: Rickenbacker 4003 and 4001. Capable of matching the demands of novice as well as veteran bassists, the Rickenbacker guitars outmatch many of their competitors on the market. However, since not every guitar player wants to own multiple bass guitars, the topic of Rickenbacker 4003 vs. 4001 is hotly discussed and debated. In the case that you also want to know which Rickenbacker is the superior instrument, continue reading.

Descriptions 

 

 

 

	Rickenbacker 4003	Rickenbacker 4001
Pickups	High-gain	Horseshoe and toaster
Neck	Fat	Slim
Body	Double cutaway	Double cutaway
Frets	20	20
Status	In production	Discontinued

A Comparison Of The Guitars 

Pickups

Between the two guitars, Rickenbacker 4003 is the newer one and it integrates modern high-gain pickups. Consequently, it’s capable of letting out punchy sounds and guarantees a high level of convenience. About Rickenbacker 4001, its design is actually inspired by the bass guitar of Paul McCartney of The Beatles. As a result, it carries traditional horseshoe and toaster pickups which produce vintage sound but sometimes get in the way too.

Neck

At a glance, it’s easy to see that while Rickenbacker 4003 features a fat neck, Rickenbacker 4001 possesses a thin one. Owing to the difference in preferences, the community is at odds once it comes to the neck of the Rickenbacker guitars. Those who have long fingers usually favor Rickenbacker 4003 as they can hold on to it with relative ease. On the other hand, bassists who have short fingers often lean toward Rickenbacker 4001 as it offers a firm grip.

Body 

All in all, Rickenbacker guitars share a couple of similarities and body is a prime example. The double cutaway body of Rickenbacker 4003 and 4001 not only boasts superb balance but also facilitates access to the frets. In addition, the double cutaway body of Rickenbacker guitars makes it easy for guitar players to rest their thumbs. Needless to say, Rickenbacker 4003 and 4001 prove popular among those who perform draw-out gigs on a frequent basis.

Frets

For your information, the two guitars sport twenty frets which should be sufficient for a wide range of styles from basic to advanced. Noteworthily, the frets of Rickenbacker 4003 and 4001 incorporate rosewood that looks good and holds together well over time. You want the frets of your guitar to be both aesthetically-pleasing and long-lasting? Then you can rest assured knowing that the Rickenbacker guitars and their frets won’t let you down.

Status 

Usually, people will have an easy time getting their hands on a brand-new Rickenbacker 4003 as the model is still in production. In the case of Rickenbacker 4001, it’s no longer produced so it lags behind Rickenbacker 4003 regarding ease of acquisition. If you want to buy a Rickenbacker 4001, you must settle for a second-hand example. Your best bet is to reach out to retailers that deal with used instruments but to avoid getting scammed, do some research in advance.

Rickenbacker 4003 Vs. 4001: Summary

In layman’s terms, the diversity of tastes means the ideal guitar to someone may appear less than ideal to others. Thus, once it comes to Rickenbacker 4003 vs. 4001, you should use your own needs and requirements as references to find the best guitar. If you have big hands and play modern genres for most of the time, you won’t regret grabbing Rickenbacker 4003. Still, if you feel uncomfortable holding on to Rickenbacker 4003 and your favorite tracks consist of classic hits, go for Rickenbacker 4001.

Renown Owners Of Rickenbacker Guitars 

Over the years, numerous guitar players have come to love Rickenbacker guitars and include them in their performances. The following is a list of world-famous people who play Rickenbacker:

• Paul McCartney: From 1965 to 1989, Paul McCartney used a Rickenbacker 4001S. Given to him in 1964, it soon became a favorite of McCartney and he continued to use it following the disbandment of The Beatles in 1970.
• Geddy Lee: After running his Fender Precision Bass by mistake, Geddy Lee switched to a modified Rickenbacker 4001. While Geddy Lee eventually moved on to other guitars, he still holds Rickenbacker 4001 in high esteem.
• Chris Squire: Chris Squire was well-known for his unique bass playing style and he achieved that via a Rickenbacker 4001S. The popularity of Chris Squire persuaded Rickenbacker to release a  limited-edition series called Rickenbacker 4001CS Chris Squire between 1991 and 2000.
• Steve Howe: While he was commonly seen playing Gibson ES-175, Steve Howe also played other guitars including Rickenbacker 4001. Noteworthily, his Rickenbacker lacks mute because he removed it on his own initiative.
• Roger Glover: Like many other artists, Roger Glover thought highly of Fender but he adored his Rickenbacker 4001. He used the Rickenbacker during quite a few performances in the 1960s.