The S

sabbath_of_bass · Post by **sabbath_of_bass** » Sat Nov 19, 2005 2:24 pm

Okay guys. What in the world does the S mean. Iv heard it means Standard (normal inalys and no binding or whatever Idont know). And Then I thought I heard something about it meaning set neck and all this jazz. Im just confused haha.

s4001 · Post by **s4001** » Sat Nov 19, 2005 2:35 pm

'S' means Send them to Scott.

sabbath_of_bass · Post by **sabbath_of_bass** » Sat Nov 19, 2005 2:49 pm

Okay... well in that case send me all your Fender J basses... So i can sell them and get a couple rics

bassduke49 · Post by **bassduke49** » Sat Nov 19, 2005 2:56 pm

Believe it or not, the S originally stood for "special." The standard model 4001 was the bound body and neck with shark fin position markers. The way I understood it, there was some call for no binding and simpler position marks, so the "special" was made. Most all the early ones went to Rose Morris in England as their model 1999, and among them were the ones played by Entwistle, Quaife, Waters, Squire, and others. The one given to McCartney was also an S model, but was not exported as an RM 1999. Right now, there is no S model being made, unless you count the C64 and C64S made to look like McCartney's original.

wints · Post by **wints** » Sat Nov 19, 2005 3:34 pm

Special they are...

nattiep · Post by **nattiep** » Sat Nov 19, 2005 3:35 pm

I love that bass!

sabbath_of_bass · Post by **sabbath_of_bass** » Sat Nov 19, 2005 4:06 pm

Gees that thing is beautiful. It looks like a holy grail of basses.

sabbath_of_bass · Post by **sabbath_of_bass** » Sat Nov 19, 2005 4:07 pm

Oh and thanks. So are there some set neck Rics? Or are they all neck thru? And how do you tell the difference?

headbanger · Post by **headbanger** » Sat Nov 19, 2005 4:29 pm

sabbath_of_bass · Post by **sabbath_of_bass** » Sat Nov 19, 2005 4:44 pm

Thats more my style to Gerry.

Haha... It went from an S topic... to show off pictures! You guys are just so mean...

nattiep · Post by **nattiep** » Sat Nov 19, 2005 4:45 pm

I don't like fireglo that much.. but wow! That's purdy!

rickenbrother · Post by **rickenbrother** » Sat Nov 19, 2005 5:06 pm

nattiep · Post by **nattiep** » Sat Nov 19, 2005 5:11 pm

Must... steal... "Da Blue Beast"!!

bassduke49 · Post by **bassduke49** » Sat Nov 19, 2005 5:13 pm

Apparently, there were some set-neck 4001S made, and these may have been made to be "convertible" models, assembled as either one-pickup 4000 or two-pickup 4001S. I'm still hazy on the time period or reasoning for the set-neck models. They're easy to spot as there is an obvious joint of the neck at the back, not so obvious in the front especially if the finish is a solid color. From reports on this forum, there doesn't seem to be any reduction in sound quality or sustain on the set-neck models.

rickenbrother · Post by **rickenbrother** » Sat Nov 19, 2005 5:31 pm

A set neck 4001S from '81 here, Paul.