I have a new 2012 4003 in my workshop.

I love the new fretboard. The new wood is very pretty. This bass has the old 4001 hid mids bark. The neck profile seems a little fatter than the 2009, 2010, and 2011 models that I played. I like the stronger tailpiece. The pickups are wound to around 12k ohms rather than the traditional 11k ohms. The vintage tone circuit is nice for those who want that sound. The nut was cut a little high, but that is an easy fix. The truss rods move easily and the neck is flat. The Fireglo is attractive, and the new UV cured finish seems to be a little shinier than the previously used conversion varnish.

I will have to get one of these for myself in 2013. I miss not having a 4003. Although I do enjoy my 4004 basses.

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I have been really impressed with the latest 4003s as well. I have not noticed the stronger tailpiece you mentioned. Did it look beefed up on the underside?

I think the newer tailpiece has been around for a few years ... The 2 outside ribs are thicker. You have to remove the tailpiece and compare it to an older one to see the difference.

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Oh I know what you mean now. When I still owned my 2010 4003 I never noticed any tail lift on it so you are probably right.

i have just recently purchased a new and i mean very new 4003 mapleglo it was made 1st week of sept 2012, it was a last minute replacement bass for a midnight blue i was about to purchase which was a 2011 model, it had issues with the finish on the chrome on the tailpiece . so i was saved by the uk Rickenbacker rep who offered me a mapleglo just shipped from the ric factory. it is stunning and flawless , sounds awesome and now my favorite Rickenbacker bass. Everything feels right about it, neck is just wonderful. the caribbean rosewood is so luxurious looking on the fretboard. the maple used on the main body wings is blonde and wonderful grain once again. dont hesitate to buy a new 4003. They sound the way a 4003 should sound. no dodgy E strings, the tailpiece is flat against the body, the small gap that was on my 2010 jetglo is gone. i aint selling this one, thats for sure.

Not too sure how a 2012 will be different from my 2011 4003 but I really love it. If I had to had only one, that could be the one. It is the most versatile of all my Ricks. The caribbean rosewood is amazing.

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4001 '68 Noglo in restoration
4001 '73 Jetglo

I purchased a 2012 Rickenbacker 4003 just the other day. After playing Gibson, Fender, and G&L for 43 years, I went for the Rickenbacker. I don't have prior Rick's to compare this one to, but it is flawless. The sound it puts out is awesome. I can see why plays swear by their Rick's, and not at them. For the folks at the factory who created my Mapleglo in September of 2012, Thank you. A job well done.

I found the 2012 to have a fatter neck than 2011, 2010, and 2009 basses. The 2012 had a little more of a C profile.

Yes the Caribbean Rosewood is pretty and it helps the 4003 cop the old 4001 tone.

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Does it still have the same witdh than a 2011? I found that the extra width (compared to my other Ricks) help a bit my pitiful playing.

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4001 '68 Noglo in restoration
4001 '73 Jetglo

I would say the 2012 bass has a slightly thicker C profile. But the width at the nut is the same. I call the width what you see when looking at the bass front on. The extra thickness is from the front of the fretboard to the back of the neck. The 09, 10, and 11 basses that I have handled seemed slimmer front to back. I don't think the fretboard width varies on the 4003.

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