martthebass

U2 aren’t really my thing but as I see it he does what is required. IMHO that’s the best place to be.

I think, having discovered it had a 4pc body, I would have put some paint back on it....

To be honest, the only mod I’ve felt the need to make to mine is adding the bezel and that’s only because I’m primarily a finger style player. The pups sound fine on mine and once I’d set the intonation, neck relief and string height I’ve not needed to touch anything for 8 years. I can see the limitations in the design but I wouldn’t say things have to be changed any more than you have to change the bbot on a Fender.

Ok you win, put me down for 3 bars

No, I'm not familiar with the Tech21, If I ever get back to a sensible level of gigging I'll put it on the list. Sorry regarding your bafflement, as I have already stated the comment I made was not intended as a direct response, my reference to big valve rigs was more an historical call back to the number of times people have previously ' educated me' on the absolute necessity of a Ampeg stack with a Rickenbacker. Pedal wise I keep it minimal, I rarely need much modification above the MXR DI+ which gets employed for dirtier requirements - I generally find this isn't needed with the 4003 and MB set up though.

Sorry....might have to remove this post as it may be seen as a Supplier scaring the masses into buying a product that they do not need.

Firstly, no, I didn't read the bit about what rig you were using. Secondly, my comment wasn't a direct 'affront' to your set up....if you've taken it that way it wasn't my intention. Generally I don't consider 'hybrids to be 'proper' valve amps. Lets just agree our views differ and we both have our own way of achieving musical nirvana.

Back in the olden days when I was a fledgling bassist I spent more time changing, biasing, fiddling with valves on old 70s valve tops than I now consider reasonable - hence my comment. The number of gigs where I ended up swearing at the amp was enough to make me appreciate my later days with Trace Elliot (despite the weight). If I ever get down to one bass I'll give the 'accommodation' suggestion a go, but I'm not holding my breath. And to be honest, I'd very much doubt my last bass would be the Rick, I do love it but it has too many idiosyncrasies to be a Swiss army knife. Again YMMV.

I found my 4003 worked fine with MarkBass once I'd moved over to 12" cabs from 15". There's no way I'd be persuaded to move over to huge 8x10" and flakey valve rigs to accommodate one bass.

I nearly went down that route with Dane to sort my 4004 but when the offer of a straight trade for a 2010 4003 came up I decided to go that way. To be fair, the bass did sound more open through the new owners rig (the bass sounded boxed in using my MarkBass set up) but I was more than happy with the swap.

The 4004 comes in a couple of flavours, I had a 4004cii. To be honest I was a bit disappointed, the sound was that dark that it seemed to squeeze much of the Rickenbacker sound out of the thing. It also felt a bit cheap considering the price. If you fancy one I’d strongly suggest trying one first, also the early 4004s have a very wide neck which isn’t for everyone, mine being a 2013 was the same profile as the current 4003.

I'd certainly agree with you on your last point on visibility/theft....it's the only bass I've ever used on a gig where someone has tried to nick it between sets.

It gets better plugged in. Awesome sound with full tone or backed off. You’ll be impressed

Swapped a Jazz neck on an MIM for a Status J a few years back. Found the profile was exactly the same as the neck it was replacing. At the time I had 2 MIM jazzes and found the heel a little too tight in one of them, a1996 model (so would have needed a bit of a fettle) but perfect in the other a 2003 model.

Mick Glaisher, drummer with the Comsats lived just around the corner from me, but being a few years older didn't move in the same circles as myself. Great band that should have gone further.

Great bass, definitely future classics these. I’d love a black one to go with the blue but swimbo would kill me if I went back up to 3 Mustangs

Same with me, the bass always on a stand in the corner is the JMJ. I only bought it as a back up.....

Only one comment really Jack.....bugger.

I use an LM3 or LM Little Markus 500 with a pair of NY121s. To be honest I've always found the sound with a single cab to be a bit boxed in when using my JMJ or Mikey Way Mustangs but the sound really opens up and has more authority when using 2 cabs. I only go single cab for rehearsals in small rooms for this reason and even at a small gig where the single 12" would have enough volume I still use 2 (both with the tweeters down to zero).

Regarding the bridge springs. The saddle was so extended on the A string on mine that it worked loose and disappeared when I was playing on a jam night. I contacted FMCUK and they sent me a new 'aged' one - this looks to be a common problem. In the end I wound my saddles in a little (intonation still ok) so that the springs were under compression and there was no risk of losing any more saddles.

I think the only Fender bass I've played in the last few years that I have been surprised by in a good way in terms of both sound and build is the JMJ Mustang and it's not made in the US.

As you say shame about the neck cosmetics, like you I would have definitely haggled down the 9/10 rating on that. I had a US Sterling SUB and had the neck refinished as the black paint had started to go 'sticky', it played (and looked) much better after this - maybe that's an option if you decide the bass is a keeper.

I think I'd be more likely to load it into a skip...