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Either one is great. I have both in my stable but I find I am on the Ric more often. It has deeper lows and a midrange fullness that the J simply does not. Nothing at all against the J, but I just prefer the 4003.
If you want a more distinctive tone, go for a 4001. 1982 and back...
The Jazz Bass will actually be better for more situations but the 4001 just has that something else..
Tough call. I had to get both.
The Jazz Bass will actually be better for more situations but the 4001 just has that something else..
Tough call. I had to get both.
A good example of someone who used a Ricky differently than the rest was Paul McCartney, but he had a specific 'mod' that helped him achieve a tone that went well with what he was playing. So, they can be modded to be more versatile... if that is YOUR thing.
Jazz basses have a few schools; the crisp, growly 'Geddy' tone, the vintage 'JPJones' tone, the 'Marcus Miller' active slap tone, the 'Jaco' Mwah tone and a host of others depending on playing styles, materials and set ups. The do not sound like Ricky's but that is also their advantage as well as the Ricky's advantage.
Jazz basses have a few schools; the crisp, growly 'Geddy' tone, the vintage 'JPJones' tone, the 'Marcus Miller' active slap tone, the 'Jaco' Mwah tone and a host of others depending on playing styles, materials and set ups. The do not sound like Ricky's but that is also their advantage as well as the Ricky's advantage.
I love Ric guitars, can't stand their basses. Definitely play both before making a decision. I'd go for the Jazz every time though.
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Ah shoot... clicked on this thread thinking it was an ID my bass type thing thinking ‘I got this one!’
Well, I have a P, a J, and a Ric 4003S. I love all three equally, so I'm probably not going to be of much help here. 
I never really warmed up to the Jazz.
If you want to play it safe, string your P with either DR Chromes or Fender 9050 Flats.
If you want to really shine, get a Rick. If you know how to work the dials, Ricks are hugely versatile. Strung with EB Slinky Cobalt flats, you can get grind and/or deep fundamentals too.
If you want to play it safe, string your P with either DR Chromes or Fender 9050 Flats.
If you want to really shine, get a Rick. If you know how to work the dials, Ricks are hugely versatile. Strung with EB Slinky Cobalt flats, you can get grind and/or deep fundamentals too.
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
You got the Third but don't like the sound. Don't buy the Ric without playing it so the same thing doesn't happen again. Certainly the Jazz is more versatile and better for funk. But at that price, play them BOTH first.
DiabolusInMusic
Functionless Art is Merely Tolerated Vandalism
I would highly encourage you to look into a Stingray. Joe Dart tours with a Jazz but he often records with a Ray copy. Check out "Daddy, he got a Tesla", that is Ray sound. They have a thicker neck than a Jazz, however, so you may not like them as much.
I love my 4004. I think it's the best style of Ric available.
I have a couple of 4003 models, and a 5 string also. Never bonded with the Jazz Bass format. The neck is way too narrow at the nut.
I have a couple of 4003 models, and a 5 string also. Never bonded with the Jazz Bass format. The neck is way too narrow at the nut.