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Rickenbacker 4003S/5 Mark 1 main image

Rickenbacker 4003S/5 Mark 1

Rickenbacker 4003S/5 Mark 1

1 Critic Review

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1 wishlisted

2 saved

Page last updated Aug 11, 2025

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Description

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Rickenbacker first made the 4003s5 in the 80s. Basically they put 5 strings on a 4 string bass and neck. This bass had the Rick tone but it was difficult to play. The string spacing at the bridge was 2 1/16" because they used the 4 string neck. After years of criticism and poor sales the 4003s5 was discontinued in the early 2000s.

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LowEndLobster Review: Rickenbacker 4003S/5 5 String Bass. A new Ric model!?

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LowEndLobster Review: Rickenbacker 4003S/5 5 String Bass. A new Ric model!?

LowEndLobster

Reviews

Critic Reviews

Rickenbacker 4003S5 review | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

Rickenbacker’s 4003S5 bass is a remarkable blend of classic charm and modern playability, offering iconic clanky tones and a surprisingly lightweight design. However, the hefty price tag raises eyebrows among potential buyers, especially with purists feeling uneasy about its updated features, including the new pickup design. While the sound remains faithful to Rickenbacker’s legacy, the visual changes may not sit well with die-hard fans. Regardless, it's a unique instrument that may be worth the investment for those seeking to pass it down through generations.

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5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 1 Rating

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bassfi3nd

192

about 5 years ago

The bass of my dreams

(This is reposted from the previous 5 string Ric page; I added mine because it's from the above production years, not new.) As a bassist, this was been my dream instrument. It has been the smoothest and most versatile instrument I think I've played. I can channel my inner Geddy Lee on this monster or just as easily mellow it out to the creamy sound of Kevin Parker. I will say that the string spacing is hard to get used to, but once you do, there's nothing like having that classic Ric tone with the extra oomph of that low 'B' string! I like all kinds of music, and this bass can do it all.

Preferred Settings + Usage:

My tonal tastes change depending on the song, but I typically play with the pickups blended, primarily relying on the bridge pickup, with the tone knobs all the way up.

Roles:

Singer Bassist Composer

Genres:

Electronic Orchestra Blues

1

Reply

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Progressive Rock

Psychedelic Rock

Calming Instrumental

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