Who's still waiting on a 4003S?

[tcsmit29]

Don't hold your breath. Walnut has very open pores and is difficult to seal and clear. Probably why the 650E/F didn't last.

I thought the 650E/F were made from African vermillion. The 650D/S were walnut, but they were finished with oil.

[jdogric12]

Don't hold your breath. Walnut has very open pores and is difficult to seal and clear. Probably why the 650E/F didn't last.

I thought the 650E/F were made from African vermillion. The 650D/S were walnut, but they were finished with oil.

You know, I think you're right! I wonder if the grain is much different. Must be! Then my question remains.. why didn't the E or F last?

[tcsmit29]

Google says that vermillion (also more commonly known as padauk) is a little harder and heavier than red oak but less dense. Apparently it takes a gloss finish well because those guitars are gorgeous. I saw an Excaliber on ebay recently that I let get away from me. My bucket list collection is to collect one each of the different 650 models. Currently I'm jonesing for the Atlantis.

As for why the E/F models were discontinued, I can only speculate. Maybe it was a supply issue being an imported wood. Maybe the demand (sales) wasn't there to support continuing with the models. They are beautiful guitars though and the 650s are great.

[cheyenne]

I got an email from Chris Clayton! Looks like my wait is over.

[bottom4]

Good on you, Scott! Enjoy it and play it hard!

[cheyenne]

Being shipped today! Lots of pics this weekend!

[cheyenne]

Look like Friday's the day!!!! It'l be wonderful to be back in the loop.

[Boogie]

Mine was delivered yesterday. The package is sitting in the living room. I will open it tomorrow.

[cheyenne]

Out for delivery!

[cheyenne]

Got it, did a quick set up and she plays and sounds fine. Happy camper here!

[ram]

Congratulations Scott. Any photos?

[cheyenne]

Still working on the pics, its very hard to photograph its actual color and shading. here's one thats not bad, but a little flashed out.

[cheyenne]

Ok, this thing just keeps getting better. I was having a little trouble over the weekend getting the action where I like it, but after some tweaking every day, and letting her settle into the Dunlop superbrights, I picked her up tonight and was able to lower the action into my comfort zone with very minimal fret buzz. ( I like a little fret buzz ). A truly great sounding and playing 4003.

I do have a question for the newer Rick owners, is your bridge pickup difficult to raise and lower? when I removed the PU cover plate, I almost broke a sweat getting the pickup apart, and then it wasn't any easier to put back together. Everything looks fine, its assembled correctly, but I've never had one this stubborn., not a big deal, I got it where I want it, I was just wondering if they're all like this coming from the factory now days.

Anyway, here's a better pic showing off the smooth Fireglo transition.

[Boogie]

Here is mine:




I was wondering if this is normal:



It looks like a bit of wood is missing to me. It feels weird to run my hand around that area. It did not look or feel natural to me.

[bassduke49]

That is normal. It's come up before, so you're not alone. The contouring of the edges ceases when it comes to the jackplate. They have to have a flat (continuous curve, actually) area for the mounting of the jackplate. The contrast between compound curve and "flat curve" just looks weird.