Please help with finding details on 85 4003

[billy_sacco]

Hi all I have just joined the Rick club. I got a 4003 from a local music store. It was sold a bit cheaper because the owner of the music store said it was refinished and they had it marked as a 2003 4003. Well I was curios to know what finish was on it before so I went to Rick's site and put in the serial number from the jack plate. The serial number showed it being made in 85. Looking on ebay a guy had a Rick catalog from 85 and it showed pretty much this exact bass the only thing mine was missing bridge pickup cover. This confused me because if the bass was from 85 why would someone repaint it to a finish and configuration that was available at the time. I am starting to wonder if maybe the bass was indeed stock and somewhere along the line details of the bass got mixed up or something. I took the pickgaurd off and the paint was the same in the body cavity. The binding looks a bit rough and uneven in places almost looks painted on but now I am really wondering what the story is with this bass. The serial number on the jack plate shows YJ1747.
My friend has a 2005 4003 and my neck seems to be a bit more thin but we have not had them side to side to compair. Anyway any help maybe confirming its a stock Rick or stock finish would be appreciated thanks. Heres the IRL to a pic I took of the bass.
http://img104.imageshack.us/img104/9407/rick8002ab.jpg

[rickcrazy]

Looks like a stock October 1985 ('YJ') 4003 to me, as does the finish on it, the so-called (I think) 'radiant metallic blue' finish. Anyone?

[dswp]

Welcome Julian;

Any markings in the body cavity?

Can you take some pics with the plates off?

[billy_sacco]

So you mean take the pickgaurds off and take a pic? If that will help I can definately do that.

[rictified]

I think that color is Midnight Blue, I'm pretty sure they made it that early, it's on a 2030 from the 80's in the Ric Website, it is definitely an 85, has the split pickguard and extra screws in the tailpiece.
When I bought my 2000 Seagreen GC thought it was an 87.

[rictified]

You don't have to that is a Midnight Blue/black trim and it is definitely an 85. Midnight Blue is a brilliant metallic color.

[rictified]

http://www.rickenbacker.com/gallery_image.asp?archive_id=2059&gallery_year=1980

[billy_sacco]

Thanks man that is what I thought! I love this thing so much man plays and sounds unlike any other bass really. The former bass player from Tool always made me want one of them but a fat refund check made it possible. I paid $900 and I know the guy who owned the shop would not have let it go for that price if he knew it was a stock 85 Rick. I am going to order a Chrome bridge pickup cover and paint it black to match the hardware. Anyway thanks all for your help guys!

[rictified]

Yeah that color combination is not real common on an 85. Once in a great while black stuff shows up on ebay, someone here may even have one.

[BobKat]

Looks like the one from Cowtown Guitars. I suspected the finish was original. Great buy. Really nice bass.

[billy_sacco]

Yeah as a matter of fact it is. Was it on the website or did you see it in person? Were you also told it was a refinish or was it listed as such?

[BobKat]

I saw it on the website and I called him. He stated that it was an "excellent refin." I suspected not but without the bass in my hands could not say for sure. You got a great one!

[billy_sacco]

Thanks man yeah I am stoked even if it was refinished you can't beat a Rick!