My dads 4003.

[JFinelli81]

Hello. I just bought my own Rick Guitar after about 28 years of wanting my own Rick. When I was very young (mid to late 80's) my StepDad showed me his 4003 bass that he's had since nearly brand new. I never saw anything like it. I was blown away and never forgot about it. Well, after I got my own Rick some 25 years later he broke his out and sent me a picture of it. I thought I would share here. It reminded me very quickly of why I never forgot about that bass and grew up to buy my own Ric (330 Fireglow). He had many Fender basses, A Steinberger, Early Music Man etc... but this one was much different.

[jps]

Your dad's bass is not a 4003, it is a '72 (?) 4001. Nice bass.

[bassduke49]

OOooh, very nice! Can't quite tell from the quality of the photo, but if it has checker binding and crushed-pearl inlays in the fingerboard, it is a '72 or early '73 Azureglo 4001. If it has kinduva plain full-width inlays and checker binding, then a mid-year '73. Looks like he's kept it in great shape!

[JFinelli81]

It sounds like you guys are about to tell me much more about it than I actually know. Like I said I only saw it about 3 times in my 35 years. I really swore it was a 4003 but maybe not? You guys are close on the year it's a 1971 I think. I'm pretty sure he said checkerboard binding. I'm wondering if it's a pearl inlay? I never knew that but that sounds awesome!!

[opticnerve]

It looks like '72 latest because of the tug bar, but flat Grover Tuners will more than likely date it 1971...or earlier.

Justin, your dad's 4001 bass looks stock & is very desirable, especially with the rare Azureglo finish.

[JFinelli81]

Well I just searched Azureglo 4001 and I feel like an idiot. all these years I just assumed and thought it was a 4003 because that's what all the Rick Basses seem to be. Do they still make a 4001? When I heard 4001 before I thought it was a lower line of the 4003 or something. I text him for some clarity but haven't heard back yet. I'm sure he'll say it's a 4001 now that i'm actually asking him

[JFinelli81]

Justin, your dad's 4001 bass looks stock

I actually think he told me something was changed but I can't remember what. As for the rarity and value. I will inherit it some day and have no plans to sell so it will hopefully make it to the 100 year mark in my possession. I'd be 90 when it hits 100

[sloop_john_b]

Absolutely gorgeous bass, Justin!

[JFinelli81]

Thanks for the compliments. It's nice to see such a cool instrument be appreciated properly. It is a 1971 and it is 100% stock and not modified.

[bassduke49]

Neat. The squarish headstock suggests 1972 to me, but you can establish once and for all what year it is by having your Dad read the date/serial stamped into the jack plate (where you plug in the chord to the amplifier). It will have two letters at one end of the plate, and three or four numbers at the other end. If the letters start with K, it is a '71. If it starts with an L, it is a '72 (and M for '73 and so on). My '72 made in June had flat-key Grovers.

[Mr.Pointy]

Wow Justin, that is a beauty. I can see why you caught the bug for Rickenbacker. Even with only a few looks back in the day. Enjoy that 330, and I'm sure if you get any other pics of the 4001, the crowd here would love to see 'em!

[chefothefuture]

It looks like '72 latest because of the tug bar, but flat Grover Tuners will more than likely date it 1971...or earlier.

Justin, your dad's 4001 bass looks stock & is very desirable, especially with the rare Azureglo finish.

I'm going to venture that with the thicker pegged crest and the long TRC that the bass is either late '71 or no later than March of '72.

[cheyenne]

See if you can post the serial number. Thats one very, very cool bass. I'd say '71.

Could it be earlier? When did they start offering Azure glo?

[jps]

We don't need the whole serial number, just the two letter code at the top of the jack plate.

[cheyenne]

We don't need the whole serial number, just the two letter code at the top of the jack plate.

Sorry, got ahead of myself on that one....