2018 4003 NOIR

Vintage, Modern, V & C series, Fretless, Signature & Special Editions

Moderators: rickenbrother, ajish4

User avatar
T28
Member
Posts: 403
Joined: Wed May 30, 2012 1:31 am

Re: 2018 4003 NOIR

Post by T28 »

Kinda strange that Ric would do a Ltd Ed run and then duplicate a year later.
Is there ANY difference between the original run and the Sweetwater run?
Slightly irritating than SW is selling these for quite a bit less (although congrats to everyone that got one of this batch for a much better price).
User avatar
bottom4
Veteran RRF member
Posts: 2062
Joined: Sat Apr 27, 2002 6:24 am

Re: 2018 4003 NOIR

Post by bottom4 »

I fully agree being an owner of the original batch...
User avatar
bassduke49
Senior Member
Posts: 6551
Joined: Wed May 14, 2003 5:00 am

Re: 2018 4003 NOIR

Post by bassduke49 »

I guess it depends on the conditions you infer from "limited run" - was there any promise that no more would EVER be made? You gotta figure that these limited runs are experiments to see what might sell. Obviously, the Noir was a hit, even at potentially inflated prices. So why wouldn't RIC make more?
Author: "The Rickenbacker Electric Bass - 50 Years As Rock's Bottom"
RIC_FACTORY
RIC
Posts: 504
Joined: Sat Dec 08, 2007 7:00 pm

Re: 2018 4003 NOIR

Post by RIC_FACTORY »

For the record, nowhere did I ever say the initial 25 would be the only ones ever made. Given the small quantity produced, stores probably decided to just advertise them as such. As it stands, we have made a total of 61 4003 Noirs (we did 20 for Japan in 2017). One of the Noirs from 2016 ended up going to Marvel for Infinity War, along with a Copperglo.

The Macassar Ebony fretboard is one of the ingredients that makes the Noir what it is. This is true for the bullseye inlays as well, which I notice SW has down as triangle inlays on their spec sheet.

Procuring a reliable and affordable source for the ebony is the main challenge to making the Noirs. I don't have any more Macassar in stock right now for example.
User avatar
bottom4
Veteran RRF member
Posts: 2062
Joined: Sat Apr 27, 2002 6:24 am

Re: 2018 4003 NOIR

Post by bottom4 »

Thanks for cleaning that up, Ben! On FB it was posted as a limited edition. Is it now complete or do you intend to produce more? To be open, where I struggle here is that this SW batch went for considerably less than the initial run. Oh, and yes, being a technically trained economist, I fully get and appreciate free market trade...

Cheers
Andy
User avatar
cheyenne
Veteran RRF member
Posts: 6229
Joined: Fri Feb 16, 2001 11:39 am

Re: 2018 4003 NOIR

Post by cheyenne »

I hope to see more of these. I see them as a cross between a blackstar and a shadow. Very well thought out. Congrats to those lucky enough to have gotten one.
"Knowledge is Power"
RIC_FACTORY
RIC
Posts: 504
Joined: Sat Dec 08, 2007 7:00 pm

Re: 2018 4003 NOIR

Post by RIC_FACTORY »

Perhaps someone mistakenly posted it being a limited run on FB. I certainly did not say that, nor can I find that statement.

As far as the pricing, SW paid the same price to us as everyone else did. Not sure how they arrived at THEIR pricing, whatever it was.

I have considered Noirs in colors aside from flat black btw. Like SNG or AUG for example.
User avatar
JackTheRipper
Junior Member
Posts: 153
Joined: Tue Feb 07, 2012 8:05 pm

Re: 2018 4003 NOIR

Post by JackTheRipper »

RIC_FACTORY wrote:I have considered Noirs in colors aside from flat black btw. Like SNG or AUG for example.
Ooh, a SNG/NOIR would be awesome. Can I put down my deposit now??? :D

--jack
User avatar
bottom4
Veteran RRF member
Posts: 2062
Joined: Sat Apr 27, 2002 6:24 am

Re: 2018 4003 NOIR

Post by bottom4 »

Yep, your right. I suppose it was a combination of how it was initially presented, how the retailers positioned it and the limited run statement for the 360 noirs on FB...
User avatar
T28
Member
Posts: 403
Joined: Wed May 30, 2012 1:31 am

Re: 2018 4003 NOIR

Post by T28 »

Yes Ben, thanks for chiming in.
I have absolutely no issues with those who got their Noirs for approx $500 less than those of us from the first batch.
I am just happy to have one, period.
You have certainly wet my appetite with the other Noir possiblities.
byoung
New member
Posts: 25
Joined: Wed Nov 30, 2011 1:49 pm

Re: 2018 4003 NOIR

Post by byoung »

Thanks for the info Ben, I always appreciate reading your comments here. A matte snowglo or Blanco Noir haha with checkerboard, maple fretboard with the bullseye inlays would look amazing and get my money.
User avatar
aceonbass
Veteran RRF member
Posts: 6650
Joined: Tue Jul 09, 2002 5:00 am
Contact:

Re: 2018 4003 NOIR

Post by aceonbass »

Noir is French for black isn't it?...... :wink:
User avatar
bottom4
Veteran RRF member
Posts: 2062
Joined: Sat Apr 27, 2002 6:24 am

Re: 2018 4003 NOIR

Post by bottom4 »

aceonbass wrote:Noir is French for black isn't it?...... :wink:
Oui
RIC_FACTORY
RIC
Posts: 504
Joined: Sat Dec 08, 2007 7:00 pm

Re: 2018 4003 NOIR

Post by RIC_FACTORY »

aceonbass wrote:Noir is French for black isn't it?...... :wink:
FWIW, we were thinking more along the lines of the movie genre when we named these.
User avatar
aceonbass
Veteran RRF member
Posts: 6650
Joined: Tue Jul 09, 2002 5:00 am
Contact:

Re: 2018 4003 NOIR

Post by aceonbass »

....
Attachments
noir.jpg
Post Reply

Return to “Rickenbacker Basses: by Joey Vasco & Tony Cabibe”