My '82 Ric 4001 and its new partner - '11 Ric 4003

[CatHead]

Hi guys - im pretty new to the forum.

I got asked on another thread that I started about serials to get some pics up, so here they are. The cream coloured one (possible refin?) is my '82 4001, bought from a local dealer 10 years ago and its been my main axe ever since. It had a non-Ric bridge on it (now has a proper one) and a brass nut installed, which seems to have been a regular mod to 4001's?

[CatHead]

And here's the new addition to the family...

The Jetglo is one is my first brand new Ric, plays like a dream - it was built Feb 2011 according to the SN. Then it got shipped over here to the distributor, then to the dealership I got it from. The dealer that had it in waited TWO YEARS to get stock from Ric (!!!) - I played it and had to have it. It was in the shop window for a single day I think that shows how in demand Rics are considering this one basically left the factory in America and was sold as soon as it appeared in a shop window in England!

[aceonbass]

Steve, the 2-piece pickguard on your '82 would indicate that it's an early 4003. Does it also have 2 screws at the rear of the tailpiece holding it down, for a total of 7 screws (5 visable)? Do the truss rods adjust under the truss rod cover or at the body end?

[CatHead]

Steve, the 2-piece pickguard on your '82 would indicate that it's an early 4003. Does it also have 2 screws at the rear of the tailpiece holding it down, for a total of 7 screws (5 visable)? Do the truss rods adjust under the truss rod cover or at the body end?

Sadly no, as this isnt the original bridge. The one I got on it certainly wasnt a Ric bridge, this is an aftermarket one. Truss rods : 2 under the TRC at the top.

I have had many thoughts about whether this is a FrankenRic given the odd collection of parts on it. The machineheads are stamped Grovers, if that helps...

[johnallg]

Two very nice basses! With the truss nuts at the headstock it is almost certain it is a yellowed white 4001. If the rods are the folded style (there is no nut at the neck end too) that would seal the deal for 4001.

[lucky]

I really like that cream colour on your 4001.

[iiipopes]

It had a non-Ric bridge on it (now has a proper one) and a brass nut installed, which seems to have been a regular mod to 4001's?

Not just 4001's. In the quest for more sustain, it was the fad in the late '70's and early 80's to make instruments as heavy as possible and have all solid brass hardware. It wasn't until the early 90's that folks finally figured out that the best way to increase sustain was not added weight or mass in hopes of damping resonance, but to tune the resonance with the proper body woods and grain alignment, with other quality hardware, not necessarily brass, which being soft, wears worse.

[Johntheson]

Very nices basses. I look forward to the day I can add another Ric to my stable. Congratulations!

[CatHead]

Cheers guys, thanks for the comments!

[RicOshea]

I love the vintage look of the cream, but black always looks more 'rock n roll'.
So now which is your'e favourite

[marc61]

dunno..Cream was a pretty good rock and roll band

[paul_yan]

Welcome to the forum, Steve.

The finish of your '82 may be origianl. The cream color might just be a result of white yellowing all these years.

[steversaurus]

A lot of people actually prefer that cream colour to white!

[scotty]

Very nice duo Steve congrats.

not get those stickers OFF and play the hell out of it!

[Ivan3000]

As Macca says, "Ebony and Ivory go together in perfect harmony" They look very nice!