Has anyone ever done this?

[law]

Has anyone here ever bought a new 4003 and turned it into a v63 body? As in take the binding off, sand it down a little and re-finish it. if so, how labor intensive was it and was it worth it? Seems like you could get the benefits of the new electronics plus the nicely contoured body.

Just wondering.

[rickfan60]

Sure it could be done but it would be expensive and you would still have the triangle inlays. For what you would pay for a new bass and a refinish you could buy a V63 or a C64 and have what you want. Of course you could also try to find a beater and have it customized to have all of the features you want including a new fingerboard.

[dog]

Having a passion for S basses, I contacted Paul W to ask the cost for removing the binding, rounding the edges and a refin. I was told that it could be done, but the cost would be quite high. Unless you could refinish the bass yourself, maybe you should just look for a V63 or a 4003S.

[johnallg]

It would be cheaper converting a 4003S to a V63 provided you had or could get an RIHS cheaply.

[law]

I figured it would be cost prohibitive. how often does a 4003S or v63 turn up around here? I have my heart set on mapleglo but I only ever see fireglo in the v63. Also, what does a v63 go for these days?

[johnallg]

4003S

V63

V63s have been in the $2300-2800 range lately.

[law]

OH MY!! Very nice indeed.

[aceonbass]

Just removing the binding won't cut it if you're going with an S type body edge. When my custom 4008CS conversion was done, the binding was removed and replaced with maple that was cut in the shape of the original route and not simply bent and glued in. After this, the edges were contoured to replicate the S look. It was one of many things done to the bass, so I couldn't tell you how much it cost. A better way, particularly if you have one of the earlier 4003's with the fatter horns, would be to route 1/16" from the edge all the way around the body after the binding's removed, eliminating the route. Then you could sand properly to get the S type body edges.

[jingle_jangle]

Dane's 100% correct and he ought to know. His custom Rick basses are exquisitely done and very well thought out.

At first glance, it would seem to be a simple matter to just round off the edge and touch up the paint.

But, then up crops that darned step in the edge, where the binding rests. You can't round past that without making the whole edge way too rounded. Dane's way--to add the maple strip--coupled with a refinish (a touch up seldom works on major surgery like this, and is not recommended) is probably the best way to tackle this.

Then there's that deluxe inlay neck, requiring a new, dot-marked fretboard...

Reminds me of the kit that was out a few years back to turn a Miata--possibly the most flawlessly-styled small sports car ever conceived--into a BMW Z3 replica. I know the Z3 has its fans (and lots of them), but it also has (shall we say) "quirks" in its styling that make it clumsy from some angles.

Bad analogy, and now Jeff Thomas is gonna be irritated with me... Maybe I should have gone with the obvious quip like, "that kit to turn a Rolls-Royce into a VW"...but that's not accurate, either, as the "S" is a lovely instrument in its own right.

[rickaddict]

Reminds me of the kit that was out a few years back to turn a Miata--possibly the most flawlessly-styled small sports car ever conceived--into a BMW Z3 replica. I know the Z3 has its fans (and lots of them), but it also has (shall we say) "quirks" in its styling that make it clumsy from some angles.

Bad analogy, and now Jeff Thomas is gonna be irritated with me... Maybe I should have gone with the obvious quip like, "that kit to turn a Rolls-Royce into a VW"...but that's not accurate, either, as the "S" is a lovely instrument in its own right.

Ha ha! Yes, I still like my Z3. And I've always liked the Miata as well. But trying to turn a Miata into a Z3? Why? Pick one (or both) and then move on with your life!

And that's gonna be my opinion on this thread as well. If you want an S, then buy an S and sell your deluxe. A deluxe to S conversion would be a giant waste of time and money. And unless it was done extremely well, it probably wouldn't be worth as much as it was before the conversion anyway.

[aceonbass]

Eh, but it looks good on you!

[jingle_jangle]

What's the most you ever lost in a coin toss?

[aceonbass]

Probably a had to buy the winner drinks or something.

[ricaddic]

What's the most you ever lost in a coin toss?

My virginity LOL

[cjj]

What's the most you ever lost in a coin toss?

My virginity LOL

I don't think I want to know ANYTHING about that...