Potato or is it Potatoe

learning_curve · Post by **learning_curve** » Wed Oct 06, 2004 7:22 am

Not sure if I am correct at all? I am not good with the Ric numbers at all. I do mean an S-8 but I was under the impression Ric gave these a 4003/S-5 and 4003/S-8 number? Although they are not anywhere near the same as the bound body and shark tooth inlay of the 4003 basses.
In fact this was the reason I went with the conversion on my 4 string 4003 to a 5 so I had the Bound body and the inlays in the narrower neck that I like so much.
Ted I know your always buying used ric's please keep me in mind if you find a 4003, in any color, with the headstock destroyed but the rest of the bass in fair shape? I want to try and make one of these 8 string basses from the carcass of a 4003. Any of you guy's know where there is a broken Ric please if your not going to buy it let me know. Thanks Randy I Got A Fever! and the only cure is "Potato" and more Cow Bell!

ken_swearingen · Post by **ken_swearingen** » Wed Oct 06, 2004 7:53 am

just wondering can you play an 8string with your fingers is it more a pickers bass and the sound?

scoobster28 · Post by **scoobster28** » Wed Oct 06, 2004 8:11 am

What are you guys talking about "potato" headstocks. Can you post pictures comparing them to regular Ric 8 string headstocks?

jnbass · Post by **jnbass** » Wed Oct 06, 2004 8:58 am

Ben-

Go here http://www.8stringbass.com/MainFrames.html

See these...
Mr Potato Head

FG

shamustwin · Post by **shamustwin** » Wed Oct 06, 2004 10:45 am

On Mr. Potato Head, the octave tuners look guitar sized. Would the longer scale of the bass make tuning with those smaller keys more of an effort (painful)? That is, is there significantly more tension on those strings than on that of a guitar (with the same sized tuners)?
In any case, I think the "potato" headstock is rather arty looking.

iamthebassman · Post by **iamthebassman** » Wed Oct 06, 2004 11:12 am

Jerry, I had a '67 Hagstrom 8-string with guitar tuners for the octaves and they worked just fine. Same with my Hamer 12-string bass. Also, my Jerry Jones basses have guitar tuners and they work fine too.

scoobster28 · Post by **scoobster28** » Wed Oct 06, 2004 11:50 am

Wow, that is certainly interesting. I am not sure if it is more attractive than the normal headstock for 8 pegs. I guess beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. Thanks for posting the pictures.

aceonbass · Post by **aceonbass** » Wed Oct 06, 2004 12:10 pm

Randy, you don't want to make an 8-string out of a 4003 with a broken headstock because you want the extrension grafted onto the headstock at a location of your chosing not at the nut. This must be done properly for strength.

learning_curve · Post by **learning_curve** » Wed Oct 06, 2004 12:30 pm

Yeah I was hoping to find one damaged but not broken completely off at the Nut? I am sure this can be done it is finding the Bass reasonable enough that will be hard, so the parts and refinishing are cost effective for me.

That wierd headstock really looked ugly to me the first time I saw it but I can't see myself being happy with an 8 string bass unless I make one just like the photo that was so graciously provided! I absolutly love the look of that bass! It is so freak'n funky!

atomic_punk · Post by **atomic_punk** » Wed Oct 06, 2004 2:05 pm

Ted, I think the original 8-strings were the 4008, then it was changed to the 4003s8 designation, Introduced in 1975, discontinued in 1983. It then became a 4003s8 from that point on. (According to Gruhn's, in 1987 it was re-introduced.)
Randy, if you want the rarest one, look for a 4003s8 REDNECK.
Here are 2 of the few in existance.

learning_curve · Post by **learning_curve** » Wed Oct 06, 2004 3:36 pm

I am so completely stuck on owning a rickenbacker 8 now. And to be honest I would be willing to wait for an S-8 but I want one of those 4008 bases with the funky headstock and I want it in white. So now that I have set the bar for myself I guess I will have to make it. Although I may find it harder to find a dammaged bass than one of these red necks! Looks like Tom and his crew have two maybe I can ask him to sell one? Anyone got Tom's number handy?

I saw that photo of Chris Squire in 77 playing that white one but the guy selling this photo on Ebay crops his photo's for resale I emailed him he has a bunch of good shots he's selling but he only prints them like he wants you to see them. Dam! He has some nice shots of Page and Plant and the Sg doubleneck too but he crop's the headstock or the body of the guitar just enough so it's not a perfect shot on all of his stuff. I offered him more money too and he won't bite. Not much more to say on this post so remember me when you find that nice old Ric that is dammaged and in need of a good home will ya. I know there out there!

jnbass · Post by **jnbass** » Wed Oct 06, 2004 8:05 pm

someone HERE has a Redneck 4003S/8.

Can't remember who

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Wed Oct 06, 2004 9:06 pm

The guy from New Zealand. Nice guy - I can't remember his name though.........

syncop8r · Post by **syncop8r** » Thu Oct 07, 2004 12:21 am

Not me, another Kiwi (even though I'm a nice guy).

cheyenne · Post by **cheyenne** » Thu Oct 07, 2004 2:07 am

Maybe Squire would sell his, he doesnt play it any more. Last I heard he lives in northern California.