All The Basses 010: Rickenbacker 4000 VS 4003 Bass Shootout Comparison // Serek Basses 

I think the thing this video highlights the most is not anything about the tones or the basses but the excellent playing and musical taste of Mr. Jake Serek. Well done!

This really makes me miss my 4000. It was the first nice bass I ever owned.

My 4003S has the best of both worlds. Dot inlays, no binding, vintage tone capacitor, neck-thru and 2 pickups. It's as close as I'll ever get to owning a 4001S or a Chris Squire signature while also being more versatile for modern music.

Fun fact, the bridge pick up on a Rick is actually positioned in pretty much the same place as a Precision pick up along the strings. If you roll the volume back slightly on a Ricks bridge pick up (to take the edge of it) you can actually do a half decent impression of one.

Fast becoming my favorite RU-vid show... Incredible stuff brother. That Rick 4000 sounds so good! Stiff! The "latin" section of I Want You is so smooth. You can see the Rick influence on some of the Serek basses so your love of Rick's makes sense. Sometimes a good, utilitarian basic instrument can totally stomp on some jack of all trades/master of none hyphen instrument. Just makes me want a Serek more and more.

I have six 4000 basses now. My first bass was a ‘75 Jetglo 4000, which is still my go to bass. I’ve several 4001’s and 4003’s and even a 4002. The 4000 is still my favourite, with more defined sound, a joy to play with a wafer thin neck and beautifully contoured body. And they look so damn cool!!!

oddly this makes me just want black lincoln more, they both sound different such a badass sound, the 4000 does get more bite to it

This makes me even more excited for my Lincoln! Hope to see more content in the future!

Marillion's Pete Trewavas played a 4000 when first I saw them in May 1983.

That 4000 sounds great! It was solid on the Squire lines and perfect for She's So Heavy! Your playing was clean also, good use of the pick. Great video, thanks for sharing!

Awesome channel! 🎸 I really thought that having my 4003S bridge pickup selected on its own clicked to modern sound would be like a 4000 but there seems to be a lot more to it. The 4000 does look very cool indeed! 😎

Love the "simple Ric" look!!!

The 4000 hands down. There was a point where Rickenbacker changed their 4001/3 to sound more contemporary. I own Two of the 6 basses are 4000 Rickenbacker basses and each one has its own distinct sound and character. Two of the 6 basses are 4000's. None of them are 4003's. With the 4003 came the re-designed truss rod system, the neck pickup was once again moved closer to the bridge, and they tilted the headstock. If you notice, the positioning of the fretboard was moved closer to the bridge position for what RIC describes as better access to the higher frets. All of these changes, IMO, changed the sound of the bass to sound more towards a contemporary bass such as a fender. If I want a Fender, I'd buy a Fender (which I own around 10). My first 4000 is a January of 1972, Neck-thru model with a route from factory of the neck pickup. It contains the walnut headstock wings. The neck is paper thin and I've never had any truss rod issues using Rotosound 45's. The second 4000 is a mid 1973. Man, the difference a year and a half makes. The 73 is set neck with no route for a pickup. I'd be afraid to add a pickup because of the flimsy way they designed the glue joint. However, Rickenbacker did sell set neck 4000's with an added pickup and had the audacity to call it a 4001s. I was looking for a different tone from my 73 4000, so instead of removing wood from an already compromised neck joint, I added a Bartolini Hi-A pickup made to be installed inside the mute compartment of the bridge. Have you ever seen a Rickenbacker bass with a pickup in the mute compartment before? I eliminated the tone function and made the tone an additional volume for the mute compartment pickup. What do we call a 4000 with an added pickup inside the mute compartment? I call mine a 4000 & 1/2. Great video. Thanks for sharing.

That's the first time I ever heard somebody demo-ing a rickenbacker play Siberian Khatru, and you went for the solo section not the intro! Nice playing.

Thin Lizzy - Call the Police at 5:29

Great stuff! Take the 4000 and add an early 50’s Fender “P” Bass pickup in front of it. That would be cool! Thanks! Happy New Year! 😎🌞✌️🎻🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

KILLER VIDEO!!!! Thanks for posting .... Time to pull out my 4000 and give them girl some new found love!!! .... Thanks again, brother!

There can't be a correct test of a rick bass without thick overdrive and a smattering of yes songs lol. Nice work man, best demo I've seen yet.

Funeral Pyre by The Jam features a Rick bass as does There, There My Dear by Dexy's Midnight Runners, both great lines

The 4000 definitely has more presence than the 4001: it's louder and has more bottom end. Of course, the 4001 in middle position gives you options the 4000 can't match. Thanks for the great vid!

Lovely video! I've got a 4001 made in April '74 (red dots on the neck), and a 4003 (S-modell) made in about 2016. They are both lovely basses. I think what makes the biggest difference is the choice of strings and how you set up the bass and the pickups. I'm being a huge McCartney maniac, so I'm going for that type of sound with both basses, and they both do the job!

The I want you (she's so heavy) at 8:00 is just SO amazing

that explosion just a little before 10 minutes ... 😄

I've always loved the 4000, but never been able to play one.. it's kind of a dream bass for me and I absolutely agree with you about how it looks! Yours looks particularly nice. Would've been nice to hear some fingerstyle though.. great video!

4000 nails it completely, I gig mine regularly, it sits perfectly in a 3 piece mix. I love it.

Rickenbacker 4000 with flats can be an absolutely massive tone, listen to the First Daze Here version of Review Your Choices by Pentagram and you'll hear what I mean

For my money, the 2019-Mid 2021 4003S is the most superior version they've released with the contours and dot inlay, the tone cap, the still lacquered boards (done away with last year) and MOST IMPORTANTLY THE NEW V2 BRIDGE!!!!! I'd be tempted to trade my 2018 4003 on one, but given QC I don't wanna take the risk lol.

I dream of owning a Rick. I think I'm leaning toward a 4001. The thick neck of the 4003 scares me a bit. If I'm going to spend that much on an instrument, I want it to be fun to play. Your 4003 sounds and looks awesome though. That's a pretty rare color, isn't it?

Great stuff. Thank you for sharing. I love Rickenbacker basses. I have 2 4003s. Btw. I’d love to see some Serek Rickenbacker replacement pickups or even, just see some LZN-B90s in a Ric. Anyway....brilliant video. Cheers

Interesting comparison. I have a 1978 4001 that I bought new. I absolutely love the neck profile. I have not played any of the 4003 models. Thanks for the demo.

Wow, I definitely prefer the 4000. If I were looking to get a Rick I would look for a 4000!

On my 3rd 4001 here currently a 77 mapleglow signed on the back of the truss cover by the legendary Norman Watt Roy from the Blockheads. Had them for over 40 years now and regularly gig the Ric. You can bypass the cap on the treb pot and it will sound just like the 4000. Trust me I’ve played both. Never tried any 4003 but I will first chance I get as I’m a bit concerned about the fat neck as I too might find that an issue. Great playing but I only play finger style so your demo didn’t show that but understand.They are expensive but worth saving for. Thanks and happy new year.🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

sweet shootout and killer sounds throughout. i believe most of sound difference between these two (and 'vintage' vs 'modern' ricks in general) comes from pickups 'output'. modern rick pickups are noticeably hotter and more balanced in tone than 70s ones. nothing beats old ricks treble buzz if you ask me!

Hi Jake, I put an on/bypass switch on my P bass with the Capacitor from Rickenbacker bridge pickup, it made me think an effect pedal with the Capacitor & an Overdrive circuit would enable any bass to obtain the Rickenbacker bridge pickup sound as well as Overdriving it which is what many like to do, the Rick-O-Tone pedal would be a good name although legal documentation from Rickenbacker would surely follow. Another name would be advisable, but I think it would make a cool effect, just an idea

Own a '73 4001, got it new @ 'bout $300 or so. Went back to flats and lovin' it all over again. Seems neck pickup, using a pick is my preference, but to each their own on that. Had to part with some great basses in those 50 years, but NEVER part with an old friend.

Both sound great and the tone is superb in both, I own a 4003S and a 4001CS and there is a big difference between them, but basically, the wood and the pickups are totally different. I can see now why I like the Serek basses! hope I can put my hands on one soon!

Amazing compare! Funny, as I own my 4003 for 25 years now and always thought to have found my dream sound. Then I got the chance to pick up a '75 4000 a few weeks ago, and it's clear puncy sound blew me away, even fingerstyle. Same feeling as you, the 4000 has become my favorite! But interestingly, my 75 features the capacitor, but has a similar low end freq as the 4003 bridge PU only, but lots of more brilliance. Seems there is some mystery in the old pickups :)

The 4000 reminds me of 4004. But, with the 4004, it has the neck pickup and a selection switch with 2 knobs!

Love the addition of I Want You (She's So Heavy), but I'm pretty sure Paul used his Hofner with tapewounds on that song, cool edition anyways!

First of all, amazing playing. Absolutely blown away by the tone you got out of those Ricks. I've had my eye on the 4003 but it's impossible to find one in store to try out. What would the neck of the 4003 be comparable to on today's market? When you mention fat and chunky, I'm thinking like a p bass neck.

Back in the 90’s I’ve played a blue fretless 4000 in a shop and it was insane, such a rich tone. I wanted to buy it but there was a strange bug - the E had less volume and I asked to adjust the pu but the shop refused so I passed.

Silent Wings of Freedom sounds killer! I've never been able to get that bit quite right so thank you 😄 What's the effect?

Sounds incredible! I just purchased a 1973 black 4000 identical to yours there. Man it is something. I play with a pick and really have a hard time with the E string clipping out. The pickup is obliviously super hot. I have been trying to fine tune the pickup height on the E string. The neck is wide (as wide as my 51 p bass reissue at the nut) with a D shape, not my favorite. I prefer playing my Fender P bass or my Gibson Non reverse Thunderbird but man the Rick just has something special. I need to spend some more time with it. I prefer the 4000 over the 4003 sound wise.

Very interesting. I always need a neck pickup. I always use either neck and bridge or just the neck. Never the bridge itself. I have a 2007 4003 and a 1980 BC Rich Eagle.

She’s so heavy 🤘🤘🤘🤘

I love them both, obviously, but would prob choose that 4000 as I also like the more minimal look of it. Great video!

Great shootout. Thank you!

Set next and I really think they're fantastic minds has to cut underneath there for the pickup it's an early early one and what I did was I put a block in there and it actually adjusts the angle of the neck and makes a big big difference.....

Hi Jake, really loved this video and all your content. Wish I could afford one of your basses, especially the Lincoln! Which one of your pickups would you say is closest to a Rickenbacker bridge pickup? Probably the Single? Or maybe the B90? I have a 1978 4001 (with the capacitor bypassed) and LOVE the tone. Maybe your pickups can help me to get other basses closer to that sound...

She's so HEAVYYY

They are beautiful basses in sound and style for sure! Roger Rossmeisl was amazing! I've been put off buying one though because of the double truss rod situation- have you found the necks difficult or problematic?

Should put in a vintage tone capacitor with a push/pull knob. They sell kits to make this modification and it’s a feature 4003 basses from ~2007 and onward carry stock

Very nice YES bits

Wonderful sounding bass!

I think you want a 4003 in black! I never like the look of the sunburst Rics.

I have a 77, 4000 Brown burst, sound insane on recordings, to good live, just doesn't cut thru.

The 4000 is definitely more full-throated/more growl than the 4003. Pretty cool!

Weird for me to admit it but, the black one, with only 1 pickup, is my favorite.

It seems to me that Rickenbacker basses in general require good amplification. I have heard them great and as often blah.

Would you be able to list what effects you used for the different parts? Really loved that Auto-Wah and Chorus combo.

I like the 4003. Would love to see a 4005 or 4002.

I had a 1970s 4001. It was the perfect color blue. Bought it used in 1982 for $300. Had it for two years, then it was stolen by some POS thief. Started to play Fender J-Basses after that. Still would like to have Rick again.

I'd like that four thousand with a P/J, Jazz, or Music man pickup layout. Give me a choice.

I have a ‘72 neckthru 4000 ric. Killer

Interesting! My perception was that the 4000 had more punch- could this be because of the set neck (?). Those through neck Ric's sound so nice and smooth to me. Bolt on necks seem punchier too.

What gauge round wound strings do you prefer on your 4003? I always find round wound strings to be floppy because of the 33 1/4" scale. I switched to flats because there is more tension but I miss rounds.

To me the 4000 sounded fuller, but i actually prefer the neck pickup on a 4001/4003. But i also dislike the concept of having two pickups in a bass... It's unnecessary complexity, which can also make the bass sound worse, since the inactive pickup still pulls. The slimmer neck on the 4000 is also a huge plus, tho i'd take a D or U profiled neck over a C any time.

Do you know if that 4000 has the .0047 cap on the bridge pickup? Sounds real like a early 4001 but the 4000 basses often didn’t have the bass thinning cap

"I just need an excuse". - Me too!!! I'm going to say that the 4003 sounds a little better. And that's not like me. (Single pickup guy - Precision).

How about a shootout with one of your basses?

I know a p sound and a j bass sound I think I feel I now know what the classic Rick sounds is now

Paul almost always used his NECK pickup on BOTH his basses.

What are the songs that are played here? Awesome lines and playing!

So.... can you do away with the 4003 capacitor ...and achieve the same ish tone ?

Someone out there probably knows, but wouldn't an original 4000 have the horseshoe pickup? On a side note, are these all going through that GK400RB?

I have a 2015 4003s reissue and the neck makes it very difficult to play.

Are your Hipshots Aluminum or Brass?

yeeees

i've owned 2 rickenbacker 4000's. made the same year. liver colored, and black. set necks. diff tuners tho'. with flatwound strings they had a unique 'thunk'....still wish i had them...the closest you could get to that really shallow 60s bass neck. after '69 they were like bassball bats. arbitrary. imo.

Thank you for using a pick. Drives me absolutely insane when people try to demo Rickenbackers and play them soft with their fingers, every single bass ever made sounds exactly the same when you play like that. Either dig in or use a pick ffs

I want a 4003 so bad! I might be able to buy one soon idk tho.

I'm dumb what song is what?

What was the third bassline?

Are those stainless or nickels? It's the best Rick tone I've heard in a while, I need specifics 😉. Pup heights, relief, action... What kind of underwear you have on? Seriously though man, that's sweet.

4000 looks cooler, so that's main thing

4000 has loads more 'clang' to it. 4003 sounds richer.

Both basses sound slightly out of tune to me.

Sounds great. But Rics are such a pain…

Dog 6:36

I wish Rickenbacker would get their head out of their arses and make an affordable line. Noone has $5k to drop on a bass as a beginner

RickBACKer.

Bass player with pick is not bass player and that is pure truth and fact,pick is for Electric guitar,for bass definetly not,and this guy play bass like guitar player,he is not real Bass player