Why no current S series basses?

ssb7171 · Post by **ssb7171** » Fri Apr 05, 2002 9:15 pm

Why does Rickenbacker not make the S series basses anymore (minus, of course, the reissues)? The price of used ones are getting to be more than the price of a new, regular/deluxe 4003. I'd like the ability to buy a new one, in a color I like, or at least get a used one at something of a reasonable price. Anyone have any insights on this?

gpatt5762 · Post by **gpatt5762** » Sat Apr 06, 2002 4:33 pm

There are two on eBay as I write this, one of which I am high bidder on, and I want to steer you away from.

Here is the other one.

Best of Luck,
Garry

ssb7171 · Post by **ssb7171** » Sun Apr 07, 2002 7:46 am

Thanks for the heads up Garry. I have ebay email me when any new postings for "Rickenbacker bass" comes up, but I guess it misses some. Look at the prices on these, they're selling for as much as new 4003's. That doesn't seem necessary. I'm trying to track some down off of the internet, they don't sell for as much on ebay, but they go quick!

rickbass · Post by **rickbass** » Sat Apr 20, 2002 6:33 am

geoff, i am looking for one, too, hopefully in fireglo. please let me know if you find any. thanks.

ricnvolved · Post by **ricnvolved** » Sat Apr 20, 2002 6:17 pm

Geoff Inkel asks an interesting question in his original post. I never wanted an S series bass when this model was still available because the deluxe version was the one I lusted after. Even now I'm not exactly burning to get an S series bass, but it IS puzzling as to why Rickenbacker would drop this model. Could it be the standard "not enough demand/not enough production capacity/too many other irons" thing?

admin · Post by **admin** » Sun Apr 21, 2002 1:15 am

Jeffrey: I am going with the redundancy hypothesis. It is possible to get this model through the reissue series as Geoff mentions. It would seem reasonable that RIC streamline its models as they do have "many irons" in the fireglo!

gpatt5762 · Post by **gpatt5762** » Sun Apr 21, 2002 3:53 am

They did it so my new Jetglo 4003S will go up in value!!

rickengrowl · Post by **rickengrowl** » Sat May 18, 2002 2:33 am

Hi,

There was a JG 4003 S for sale at pickofthericks.com 2 months ago. I hardly had the time to get in touch with Chris, the bass had already sold. As far as I remember, the price was about $ 1.000.

I'm afraid the future of "standard" Rick's is called "4004". I believe that, one day or another, even 4003's will be discontinued and replaced with expensive "C" 4001 or 4003 reissues (featuring triangle inlays, body binding, Rick-O-Sound, and so on). This will also drastically increase the price of used 4000 series. This might be a good thing for players who already own a 4001 or 4003. But IMHO, this won't be as good for future owners.

My advice tends to be : right now, buy any 4001 or 4003 you can buy...

Of course, I may be wrong...

All the best,
Jean.

mortivan · Post by **mortivan** » Sat May 18, 2002 9:52 am

ACK!

Jean, I hope the future is not just 4004's and 400x reissues! Knowing Ric, however, it wouldn't shock me - they've made some "interesting" decisions over the years.