Even though you will be buying it used, it could be sold at over $2,000. However, the price you come across is dependent on several factors.įor example, a 4001 model would be considered a rare item because it is no longer in production. In our opinion, there isn’t much of a difference in the price between both guitars. It is no secret that Rickenbacker guitars are expensive. Pricing: Rickenbacker 4001 Vs Rickenbacker 4003 Here’s a list of famous guitarists that have strummed Rickenbacker guitars:
So it’s safe to say that both guitars offer unique sounds depending on the sound you want to create. If you use the same setup on the 4001 and the 4003, you get a roughly similar sound. Other factors that cause a difference in sound in both of these bass guitars include the string setup and pickups. This is because, during the guitar set up, guitarists cut out the caps. However, Rickenbacker 4003 produces a brighter and higher tone compared to the 4001 model. This is thanks to the use of a cap in the circuits. Many guitarists love the Rickenbacker backer for its unique vintage sounds. This is where the 4003 model has the edge over 4001 because its design resolved this issue. Its neck profile was too thin, which caused the bass to have issues with round wound bass strings due to the extra tension. While the 4001 model is a better option for guitarists with short fingers because it isn’t wide, its thin neck profile has some cons. Models produced from 2013 received good feedback for improvement on the issue. However, we discovered that these comments were directed to models built before 2012. Several guitarists on forums have also complained about a neck loosening issue in the 4003 model. This gives the 4001 model an edge over the Rickenbacker 4003 since it’s a better fit for guitarists with short fingers. On the bad side, it makes playing difficult for guitarists with short fingers. This could be good or bad, depending on how you look at it. The 4003 model has what few guitarists have described as wide and fat. The difference in the neck size and shape between the Rickenbacker 40 is too wide to overlook. Need help getting a pickup for your guitar? Check out our guide on the top 5 best single-coil pickups for your guitar. And the good news is they don’t get in the way of your playing hand.īoth guitars use single-coil pickups. These make the guitar produce a more punchy sound. The Rickenbacker 4003 follows a more modern design that uses hot high gain pickups.
Unfortunately, many guitarists dislike horseshoe pickups because it gets in the way of their playing hand. This is to aid it to produce the vintage sounds that Paul’s guitar produced as well. Key Specifications CRITERIAĬomparing Key Features: Rickenbacker 4001 vs Rickenbacker 4003 Pickupsįamous guitarist Paul McCartney’s guitar greatly inspired the Rickenbacker 4001’s design, hence its use of horseshoe and toaster pickups.
So depending on the sound you want to create, both guitars come with their unique offerings. Both guitars sound about the same if they are set up the same way however, players hardly set them up the same way in reality.