Reverse tuners on a 4003

iamthebassman · Post by **iamthebassman** » Wed Jan 29, 2003 9:31 pm

I've got an early 4003LHFG(TG2862) which has reverse action tuners. They are dull(nickel?)not shiny like chrome-plated tuners. They appear to be factory stock. It has the "upside-down" headstock. I bought it in 1991 from Southpaw Guitars. The Fireglo is darker than other instruments I have seen from the same period, looks like the finish on the new 4001C64. It has the split pickguard. This is a great bass, and I have always wondered about the reverse tuners and finish. Is it possibly something that someone at RIC put together for themselves? It's just so unlike any bass I've seen from this period. Any ideas?

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Thu Jan 30, 2003 4:21 am

My 1968 4001 came with Reverse nickle tuners ... I replaced them with RIC Chrome ones ... Also I've seen some 80's basses that came with those as well...

I don't know why some came that way and some didn't

Maybe they just used what they had in stock when building basses ...

rickcrazy · Post by **rickcrazy** » Mon Mar 24, 2003 5:20 am

Just 'rekindling' the thread...
My 1980 4001BG (TG 2690), too, has reverse-action tuners. A 1982 4001FG I once owned had closed-back Grover tuners. Yeah, maybe RIC just used whatever was in stock when building basses.

ricnvolved · Post by **ricnvolved** » Mon Mar 24, 2003 2:03 pm

For most of my bass playing life, a '67 Fender Precision was all I had. It has the pre-CBS Kluson reverse tuning keys and this is what I got used to. In fact, I've never quite gotten used to the non-reverse tuners on my Ric and Zeta basses. If Ric had the reverse tuners available, I would change mine out as soon as I could get a set. That's how much I prefer them over the standard version.