Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

What happened to the market for Rickenbacker basses? Looks like it tanked. So many on eBay selling between $1100-1200. Lats summer I had no problem buying and selling 4003 models. Now, I can't move them without taking a loss.

Dane. It's not a 4001. I think if I just went ahead and tried the mod without checking this forum first I might be accused a ruining an instrument. I'm trying to gather information so I don't do something stupid. You were a great help when I added HB1's to my 2008 4003 4-2-5. I know of your expertis...

Jeff Rath recommends 1986 or newer for 5 string mods. I'm curious to see if its ever been done by anyone on this forum for the earlier basses. I would like to convert my 1983 4003.

Anyone ever done a 4-2-5 conversion on a RIC with the old hairpin truss rods? Could the hairpins handle the stress?

After futzing with the hairpin rods I got them working correctly. The rod on the bass side was just a bit twisted. The neck is now almost perfectly straight.

VRICKY63 wrote:I got it. Thanks for the photo suggestion in Mr Boyer's book. I see these are the old "hairpin" rods. Yes, it's an ugly looking system. Thanks guys.

Will the newer 4003 rods fit in this bass?

I got it. Thanks for the photo suggestion in Mr Boyer's book. I see these are the old "hairpin" rods. Yes, it's an ugly looking system. Thanks guys.

Just bought this 83 4003. I took it apart for cleaning and found the truss rods like this. What happened and can I fix it?

I used Roto Swing bass strings all through the 70s. I recently put a set on my 84 4003 and was very disappointed. I have been installing my strings with no twist for many years. The Rotos sounded dead out of the package. I prefer Ernie Ball Cobalt nickle rounds or DR Lowriders.

I really enjoying these Grover tuners. They are the smoothest tuners I've used on a RIC and they are also ergonomically perfect.

I just bought a 1984 4003 with wavy grovers. I've read these are fragile tuners. Should I remove/replace them before they break?

Sounds like a job for Mr Wilczynski.

I have a Fernandez Gravity 8 string bass. After I bought it I realized the neck was too wide so I took it to a local luthier and had him remove about 1/16th inch on each side of the neck. It turned out great. The neck is a bolt on. Can this be done to a neck-through Rickenbacker? My 1989 4003 has a ...

Thanks for your help Jeff. This is an ebay buy. The case is very mildew smelling and I think the bass was put away damp with sweat. I could send it back but this bass has the nicest neck. The neck is very much like the 1977 basses I have owned. Very narrow and thin. I think I'll try to make it work....

The acorn nuts are at the body end under the pick guard. So what is the fix?