Bring back the 4003s?

[aceonbass]

Get a new 4004 and have the sides of the neck shaved down. I've never heard of it being done, but it's gotta be possible.

[coolhandjjl]

John...Leak away...deepthroat

My 4004/2 v57 coming soon.......

[s4001]

Is that true? 4003 and 4004 necks are the same now??

As a former temporary contract trade show customer service representative for RIC at NAMM`10 I can second/vouch for the affirmative on that.

As a trier-outer of a 4004 at NAMM I can also vouch for that.

As the guy standing behind him trying it out as the aforementioned contractor narrated, I can vouch for that.

[cassius987]

A 4003S with a 1.5" wide nut would be perfection for me. Why does Rickenbacker make the necks so wide ?

Because guys like me hate 1.5'' necks...? Everybody's different. While I do think 1 & 11/16'' is a good compromise perhaps 1 & 5/8'' (like 4001s were) would be better for the average player. Most people seem to prefer paper thin.

[rickaddict]

So...wait a minute...Why are you guys discussing buying a used 4004 for $1300-1500 on ebay and converting it into a 4003S?

Why wouldn't buying a used 4003S for $1300-$1500 on ebay be a smarter way of obtaining a 4003S?

[incubus2432]

So...wait a minute...Why are you guys discussing buying a used 4004 for $1300-1500 on ebay and converting it into a 4003S?

Why wouldn't buying a used 4003S for $1300-$1500 on ebay be a smarter way of obtaining a 4003S?

Stop murking up the waters with your silly common sense.

[rickaddict]

Stop murking up the waters with your silly common sense.

[VRICKY63]

Get a new 4004 and have the sides of the neck shaved down. I've never heard of it being done, but it's gotta be possible.

It is possible. I have a Fernandes Gravity 8 string bass that came with a 2" wide neck. I had a local violin maker look at it and he narrowed the neck (without removing the frets) to 1 9/16" but that is a bolt on neck. Might work on a neck through.

[VRICKY63]

So...wait a minute...Why are you guys discussing buying a used 4004 for $1300-1500 on ebay and converting it into a 4003S?

Why wouldn't buying a used 4003S for $1300-$1500 on ebay be a smarter way of obtaining a 4003S?

Seen any at those prices ?

[VRICKY63]

A 4003S with a 1.5" wide nut would be perfection for me. Why does Rickenbacker make the necks so wide ?

Because guys like me hate 1.5'' necks...? Everybody's different. While I do think 1 & 11/16'' is a good compromise perhaps 1 & 5/8'' (like 4001s were) would be better for the average player. Most people seem to prefer paper thin.

Yes. 1 5/8 is perfect.

[T.A.R.]

John...Leak away...deepthroat

My 4004/2 v57 coming soon.......

Hmmm

[rickaddict]

Seen any at those prices ?

It's been a while since I've seen a 4003S listed at all, but I don't remember a substantial difference between the prices of them and your typical used 4004.

Well, wait...Let's see what our handy RickResource database has to say about this:

According to the database, the average sale price for a 4 string 4003S model for the last 11 units sold was $1684:

(See price history box http://www.rickresource.com/register/vi ... lebrity%3D)

And the average sale price for a 4 string 4004 model for the last 14 units sold was $1925:

(See price history box http://www.rickresource.com/register/vi ... lebrity%3D)

So...why would it make sense for anyone to consider paying $241 more for a 4004, to then put the money, thought, and time into converting it into a 4003S?

[coolhandjjl]

I see 4004's for sale frequently. I have only seen 4003s's for sale a few times. They only made so many of them.

[aceonbass]

New 4004's might be $1925.00 ( I paid $1750.00 for my 4004L), but used 4004's don't get any love on the Bay. They can usually be had for between $1000.00 and $1300.00. Since 4003S models are also used, that would be a fairer comparison. Even if the 4003S is reintroduced, a converted 4004Cii has the potential to look better than an 4003S ever did. When you also consider that you can only get transglo finishes on 4004's, it makes it even more appealing as it's something you may never be able to get from RIC. A used 4003S also won't have the new 2-piece neck or vintage headstock with walnut wings or push-pull tone pot. Original S models are nice, but a new 4003S or 4004CiiS will be a much cooler instrument IMHO.

[rickaddict]

I'm not trying to lie to anyone...I've taken real price information that was collected from our database. As far as I know those prices are from the sales of used instruments. Yes, you can find 4004's cheaper than their average price of $1925. But you can also find 4003S's for less than their average price of $1684.