The 4003S is back!!!

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squirebass
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Re: The 4003S is back!!!

Post by squirebass »

The luthier that works on my guitars showed me a "Les Paul" he had in his shop about a year ago, that was actually a Chinese copy, amazing how close you had to look at it to tell it from the real thing! They had some anomalies in the fret board dots that gave it away, otherwise it was incredibly close to a real Les Paul. Like Woody, I don't recall ever seeing quilted maple on a RIck like that, but otherwise it looks a lot like the real thing. One thing about the shine of the finish looks wrong to me though, it almost looks too shiny or something, not sure what is different about the finish....
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jdogric12
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Re: The 4003S is back!!!

Post by jdogric12 »

aceonbass wrote:Well.....I wouldn't call Steve's Rickenfaker fire wood. It looks like it has better maple in it than my 2010 4003 has for sure, and about as good as a lot of 4004Cii's. That said...it doesn't belong here though. The for sale section on TalkBass might be better since it violates RIC's trademarks.
Well said, Dane. Agreed on all points.


...
firewood.jpg
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Baker69
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Re: The 4003S is back!!!

Post by Baker69 »

woodyng wrote:Yes,that copy is also interesting in that it's the first modern Chinese made one that I've seen that was not a set neck....
As far as telling it from a real Rick,i can't recall ever seeing (m)any 4001/3 models with quilted maple....(!)
And the naked rosewood fretboard is a dead giveaway...

These are apparently made in Indonesia not China, and have a true thru-neck construction plus double truss rods (albeit adjusted by a single nut!) They allegedly have links to Tokai, however little evidence can be found as to whether they have actually anything to do with their manufacture. I think the quilted maple is only a veneer. As you rightly say the fretboard is unfinished not lacquered, and is a lot darker than African or Caribbean Rosewood.
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Baker69
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Re: The 4003S is back!!!

Post by Baker69 »

squirebass wrote:The luthier that works on my guitars showed me a "Les Paul" he had in his shop about a year ago, that was actually a Chinese copy, amazing how close you had to look at it to tell it from the real thing! They had some anomalies in the fret board dots that gave it away, otherwise it was incredibly close to a real Les Paul. Like Woody, I don't recall ever seeing quilted maple on a RIck like that, but otherwise it looks a lot like the real thing. One thing about the shine of the finish looks wrong to me though, it almost looks too shiny or something, not sure what is different about the finish....

I've never seen a quilted maple on a Ric before either, I'm pretty sure it's only a maple veneer on these. Apart from it having a very good clean before I took the photos I think it has a polyurethane coating which may account for the high gloss appearance.

The scale length is different on these things as well, nearly 1" longer than a Ric! Because of this it is not possible to fit a true Ric type bridge as the saddles are set back nearly 1" further back on a Ric and it would mean moving any replacement bridge further up the body in order to get the correct intonation and it would then be too close to the bridge pickup.
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Kopfjaeger
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Re: The 4003S is back!!!

Post by Kopfjaeger »

Time to put this thread back on track. So, I saw a thread on Facebook about a dealer having at least one Walnut 4003 'S" for sale. Does anyone know if RIC is making the walnut ones first?? Any intell?? JH, care to PM me????

I'm due to receive my 60's value loaded pickguard from Dane and I have my toaster cover en route from PotR. Once that arrives I'll send it directly to Brad at Classic Amplification to have it installed on his 60's wound pick ups. Yup, I'm serious as a heart attack. I'm modding the Walnut the second it arrives in my house, if she passes my inspection. I'm turning it into a 60's 4001 tone monster! Coming from Chris, i know he'll only ship it to me once it's passed his keen eye, so I'm not worried about that.

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squirebass
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Re: The 4003S is back!!!

Post by squirebass »

That is going to be cool, Sepp! I've been debating the FG vs MG thing, and you go and complicate matters for me when you post like that!
I did notice that John Hall had posted on the subject of deliveries near the bottom of this thread:

http://www.rickenbacker.com/forum/viewt ... 1&start=20

The sooner the better for me! :)
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Kopfjaeger
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Re: The 4003S is back!!!

Post by Kopfjaeger »

Gene,

I'm taking John Hall's post to mean shipments of the "S" bass will begin in March but know knowing where the Walnuts fit into the production schedule, makes it unclear when they will be made and ultimately shipped. A dealer posted a foto of one Walnut, so either some have been made and shipped or it's the one from the NAMM show for sale. I've said from the beginning, either the Walnuts will be first or the last to be made. The fact that RIC needs to cut walnut body wing instead of maple puts them in a separate category. Also, not knowing where Chris sits in the order sequence. It seems he pre ordered several of each and I was the first to jump on a Walnut.

While I'm hoping the wait is not too long, I'm hoping I have the aftermarket components in hand slightly before she arrives. :D

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woodyng
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Re: The 4003S is back!!!

Post by woodyng »

That was my facebook post you saw. I don"t know any specifics,BUT.....Apple Music wase recently visited by The Halls,who were alledgedly impressed with the store,as well as their Inventory of new Ricks....so.....maybe they just got on the fast track for having the new model? I have to say i was very surprised to see that Apple had a 4003SW so quickly.....
Wish i lived closer to Portland! ( it's a 6 hour drive away...)
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Kopfjaeger
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Re: The 4003S is back!!!

Post by Kopfjaeger »

Woody, I agree, 6 hours one way to pick up an instrument would be quite extreme. I'm not expecting any inside info as to when the walnuts will be manufactured. I suppose when Chris emails me the remainder of the bill, I'll know it's getting close. PotR is about 2 hours from me so I may just drive on down. It's always great to see Chris!

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jps
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Re: The 4003S is back!!!

Post by jps »

Kopfjaeger wrote:Woody, I agree, 6 hours one way to pick up an instrument would be quite extreme.

Sepp
When I moved to Los Angeles in June 1984 I got into Van Nuys around 7:30 Monday evening (left Cleveburg Saturday morning) and the following Thursday morning we were on the road by around 6 am to go to Yosemite for the day; we got back to L.A. around 12:30 am Friday. 6 hours, or so, at YNP including Glacier Point, and all the major points in the valley. 8)

Just saying, for reference.
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Kopfjaeger
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Re: The 4003S is back!!!

Post by Kopfjaeger »

Jeff,

Yeah, it's all relative!! When i was younger, and stoopider, my wife and I drove to Nashville to meet with a friend. That was a 13 hour drive. Spent a day there then drove back. Left early Friday morning, got back home in the evening on Sunday. We had a great time but man, that was a ton of driving!!

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woodyng
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Re: The 4003S is back!!!

Post by woodyng »

Younger and stupider once,i drove with 2 friends from Memphis to Cinncinnati to see A Genesis show, (seconds out tour i think....) AND drove back the same night. That was probably over 1000 miles and a 3 hour show in les than one day.....but i digress... :mrgreen:
I do get up to Portland from time to time,usually for a weekend,anytime i go there i have to swing by Apple Music at least for a quick visit.
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Re: The 4003S is back!!!

Post by lordblackmore »

Chris at Pick Of The Ricks contacted me today and told me that my 4003s was being delivered to him today. He said he thinks it is the bass they had on display at NAMM. I'm hoping this is true, since it means my bass will be either the first or or one of the first couple of reissue 4003s.

As I mentioned, I ordered mine the day after it was announced and I was the first one to order Fireglo from PotR.

I'm having a hard time containing my excitement.
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Keef
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Re: The 4003S is back!!!

Post by Keef »

I'm only 3 hours from Portland and just called Apple Music. They have (as you know) the walnut version. He said it was the NAMM bass. They are asking $1649. I know the walnut is lovely, but truth be told it's my least favorite. I'm holding out for some other finish.
Nice to see it getting started!
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aceonbass
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Re: The 4003S is back!!!

Post by aceonbass »

That's a bit high, unless you wanna pay for being the first one on your block with one.
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