Rare or refin?

marc61 · Post by **marc61** » Sun Feb 22, 2004 5:00 pm

I say refin

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3706268459&category=4713

marc61 · Post by **marc61** » Sun Feb 22, 2004 5:05 pm

Actually, seeing these photos changed my mind but, wouldn't this be a 4003?

http://flipsixsix.com/bass.htm

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Sun Feb 22, 2004 5:09 pm

There was a silver I think, 88 4003 a while ago that someone was trying to pass off as a 60's bass, there is an old thread about it somewhere, this is a not the same bass, unless it's led a rough life since then.

modelcitizen · Post by **modelcitizen** » Sun Feb 22, 2004 6:42 pm

I'd say refin also...judging from the different color under the (broken) pickguard. If so, pretty stupid to refinish and miss that area!

atomic_punk · Post by **atomic_punk** » Sun Feb 22, 2004 6:48 pm

Doesn't Mike Parks have a silver 4003 right now?

mikeylc · Post by **mikeylc** » Sun Feb 22, 2004 6:56 pm

Ric did do a Silver in the 80's typically with black binding and hardware. The blue thing under the chipped PG must be plastic or something since it is supporting the pickup. Judging from the fact that the guy says it is maked "silver" inside I'd guess it's original. I believe they used the same silver metallic under Ruby and Mid Blue at the time. They probably marked it so it would not have a shader applied. I can't see a refinisher doing that. There is a pic of a silver/white on Mike Parks page. I've seen a silver/black about 10 years ago and thought it was a refin but the guy was a dealer and said it came that way from the factory.

squirebass · Post by **squirebass** » Sun Feb 22, 2004 7:13 pm

I believe one of Bootsy Collin's album covers shows him with a silver 4001, and it was an available color from some period in the 80s, Mike Parks site has a timeline for all the colors...

marc67 · Post by **marc67** » Mon Feb 23, 2004 1:19 am

If I am not mistaken this is a silver 4003 but this blue color under the broken pickguard makes me have second thoughts.

marc61 · Post by **marc61** » Mon Feb 23, 2004 1:44 am

That blue thing is something he said he added to keep the pickguard from flapping all over the place.

robj · Post by **robj** » Mon Feb 23, 2004 8:17 am

It looks original to me, but the white binding throws me a bit. I have a silver '86 4003 and I think Peter has one too though I am unsure of the year. Also, the silver finish on this bass has taken on the gold/green tone the way mine has over the years. My bass has black binding and hardware and has the best neck of any of my Ricks including my '72 FG 4001.

jnbass · Post by **jnbass** » Mon Feb 23, 2004 1:46 pm

only saw one Silver white binding-woulda/coulda/shoulda!

Dummy-it was only $900-mint

doctorwho · Post by **doctorwho** » Tue Feb 24, 2004 2:22 pm

Mike Parks has a sold 4001 Silver WT on his Collectables page:

http://www.the-music-connection.com/riccol.htm

and, as can be seen, it has white binding/trim (it apparently lost its white pickguard in favor of a mirror one).

I have been in communication with the eBay seller. The guitar does dates to 1988; there are numerous Silver examples from 1987 (my 320 Silver, shown in another thread, is one), so a 'special request' by someone influential might have resulted in this one being produced in Silver. My guess, without seeing it in person, is that it is not a refin. If I didn't already have too many guitars, I'd be bidding on this.