My `84 4003 have some questions about it.

84rick4003 · Post by **84rick4003** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 4:21 am

I just joined this message board and want to say hello to all.

My question is, I have a 4003 Jetglo bass that I just found out was made in 1984(I got it in `86 at Thoroughbred Music in Tampa Fl).Well, I have seen many 4003s at the stores and online, but none of the 4003s look like mine. What I’m saying is that mine has a brass nut(others are black) and my fret board is a darker wood color then what I have seen.Also my frets and more squared then round. Here is a link to some pictures I took to show what I am taking about.

cut&paste links

http://web.tampabay.rr.com/demoncr/images/rickPIC2.jpg
http://web.tampabay.rr.com/demoncr/images/rickPIC1.jpg
http://web.tampabay.rr.com/demoncr/images/rickPIC3.jpg

As you can see the white binding has turned yellow over time. I can not stand it, drives me freaking crazy just look at it. I have shown it to the people a Sam Ash here in Tampa Fl and asked if I should get it refinished. They said “NO” it will drop the value of it.

Any way, what to you think,should I get it refinished? What about the brass nut and darker fret board?What about the frets being squared?

charlyg · Post by **charlyg** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 4:29 am

Can;t speak to the fretboard, but the frets are probably jumbo. I have those on my Project. I will get them replaced with normal frets. I used to hate the yellow binding too,but it grows on you after a while. Some people like the brass nut. It gives you extra sustain, especially on open notes(duh). Ps, the links don't work

incubus2432 · Post by **incubus2432** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 4:38 am

First off.....WELCOME !

The brass nut can be easily replaced if you like and as far as refinishing....I would leave it. It looks great as it is. It is over 20 years old and unfortunately the binding yellows over time. You could get it refinished if it bothers you that much but if you are looking at doing that I think it would make more financial sense to just sell it since Ric resale is very strong now and pick up a new 4003JG.
I'm not very familiar with early 4003's so I have no opinion on the fretboard/frets other than it looks fine to me.

dswp · Post by **dswp** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 5:02 am

Chris, Welcome.

I am no expert on the frets, however, they look to be replacements. The nut for sure is non-original.

I do agree with you on the yellow binding. IMO that the aged binding, against the jetglo finish, dose not look right.

Brian’s point should be well taken. You could sell it and get a new one without too much fanfare.

charlyg · Post by **charlyg** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 5:21 am

FWIW, I own an 87 jetglo. And my binding has yellowed but I don't mind it anymore.

shinynewtoy · Post by **shinynewtoy** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 5:55 am

I'm with you Charly. My '77 has yellowed also, I got a vintaged pickguard from Tony and I love it now!

marty · Post by **marty** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 6:28 am

Hi Chris,

I was going to say that maybe the bass has been refretted.

In the second pic you posted it looks like the binding doesn't go over the ends of the frets as it should, though it's hard to tell for sure in the pic.

That's usually a sign of a refret as Rickenbacker put the binding on after the bass is fretted and if it is refretted somewhere down the line, the new frets have to be installed over the binding.

Having said that You've had the bass since '86 when it was only 2 years old.....I wouldn't of thought a refret would be needed in that timespan unless it was subjected to a lot of playing.

Again, maybe it just looks that way in the pic and the binding does cover the frets.

84rick4003 · Post by **84rick4003** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 9:29 am

I have not clue if it was ever refretted or not.As for the brass nut,been on there when I got it.Thanks for the info.

charlyg · Post by **charlyg** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 9:57 am

The brass nut and jumbo frets would be done by a punk rock or alternative guy would be my guess. And he wouldn't care if he did it to a new bass or not!

84rick4003 · Post by **84rick4003** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 12:11 pm

As you can see in this picture the frets are under the neck binding,so I`m almost sure it came this way and not a redo.

jps · Post by **jps** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 12:21 pm

I think those are the original frets.

marty · Post by **marty** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 12:48 pm

Yeah...looking at that pics it does look like the binding covers the fret edges....it was hard to tell in the other pic.

84rick4003 · Post by **84rick4003** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 2:42 pm

What about the brass nut, do you think it was done after, or is it that way from the factory? Like I stated before, it was like that when I got it back in `86.Also how dark the fret board is again was that dark when I got it?

green_us90 · Post by **green_us90** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 3:02 pm

No Brass nuts from the factory.

Notice the yellowing of the binding- most likely the coating on the fretboard has yellowed, making the wood underneath appear darker. Also, some older Rick fretboards are quite dark (my 75 4001 is dark)

84rick4003 · Post by **84rick4003** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 3:10 pm

The fret board was that dark when I got it in`86.SN#says that it was made in Oct `84.Binding was white when purchased.