OK, I'm at essentially "even" setup on my dear Jetglo 4001S and the Firelglo 4003 I just acquired used. They both have the exact same strings (D'Addario Chrome Flats - thanks johnallg) and they have the same setup from Chris at Rockleys here in Colorado.
The 4003 neck was pretty wacked out and it was nearly unplayable, but he said it adjusted in nicely. The seller also shipped it to me with the strings lossened - which wasn't the best thing to do.

The mono comparison is that I like the sound of the 4001S much more. More presence. With my favorite felt pick, the adjusted sound (to my ears) is great. Since it has the older electronics, there is a lot more tone range adjustability. The tone controls of the 4003 seem a bit less effective. The output is indeed higher from both 4003 pickups, but I'm 90% sure the 4001S has the "capacitor" at the bridge pick-up as it is very trebly and low output. I can seemingly get a quasi-roundwound sound from the D'Addario Chromes. My 4001S was made back in early 1982.

I think Ric did a *very* wise thing by allowing the "vintage tone" to be selected on the newer 2006 4003 models. Based on my comparison, I am going to get the "vintage tone selector" stuff for the 4003 once it is available again.

Maybe it is just what one gets used to. I'm sure there was a good reason to pull the capacitor from the bridge pick-up tone adjust when it was done, but I will join the chorus of those who are glad the option of vintage tone is back.
It does also seem like the 4003 has a "punchier" sound with the higher output pickups, the 4001S has more "body" (it's like I'm talking about a wine or something).

BTW, I noticed that Rockleys has a new Ric 6 string guitar on the wall behind the counter. It's a Fireglo 360 looking model. They may have the only new one in the state among the 3 dealers. It looks like Wildwood has all 12 strings (but many of them). Wildwood also has one Jetglo 4003 bass.

I have a lot of trouble choosing between my 77 4001 and my 04 4003. They're both very different basses, considering how closely related they are, but they both play and sound so great in their own ways. Owning both has made me pay a lot more attention to what kind of tone should be used for whatever song I'm working on. That's been good for me, but it still makes it hard to choose. But, I wouldn't have it any other way.

You guys! Everyone should have such a dilemma!! :D

Yeah, you make a good point johnallg! I doubt I will wait till I'm 66 (till I'm 64?) to buy my 3rd Ric bass though...

I think I'll play the 4003 a bit before calling it day. It sure is perty, I must admit.

BTW, I also bought the Rick-O-Sound kit at Rockleys, and played with it a bit on the weekend.

Of course, I plan on making it even worse for myself as soon as I can! :)

quote]I have a lot of trouble choosing between my 77 4001 and my 04 4003. They're both very different basses, considering how closely related they are, but they both play and sound so great in their own ways. Owning both has made me pay a lot more attention to what kind of tone should be used for whatever song I'm working on. That's been good for me, but it still makes it hard to choose. But, I wouldn't have it any other way.

Yeah, I have that problem between my '67 4005WB, '73 4001 and '98 4001V63!

Sometimes the choices we are forced to make can be grave, indeed.

The sun is shing, the birds are chirping, and now my '98 (March to be exact) Fireglo 4003 has the "vintage" sound! The bridge pickup now has a more "trebly"/reduced output and I couldn't be happier.

I took this info from johnallg and ran with it:

http://www.geocities.com/johnallg/temp/ ... ap-Mod.jpg

I ended up simply cutting the wire connection at the Treble Volume pot and putting the cap in at the spot, then soldering the other cap lead to the wire I'd just cut after I stripped it back. I even kept all the strings still on - as I just replaced them and had the truss rod adjusted and a setup done. I carefully elevated the pickguard with folded cloth placed at the corners to access the pick guard assembly/electronics for the brain surgery. The new cap just fit in between the pots.

I want to also do the official modification to work exactly as the new 2006's do down the road, but there is time. Now the 4003 has that sound I'm used to (and those D'Addario Chrome flats sound even better).

Glad the drawing was useful. The switch capability is nice because it gives you a choice, and on the fly. More variety is good.