calling expert on S basses

[wints]

Another way to tell:
4001S post-71: set neck
4003S: neck-through

There have been a couple of neck thru '72's IIRC.

[MaplegloMatt]

If this beautiful example of a 4003s can't spark enough interest in re-introducing this model, then I fear all may be lost... Well, OK, it's not quite that serious of a situation, but at least we can dream.

[teeder]

Looks great! Should have a nice neck too.

[rickaddict]

Did somebody say S bass?

She's purdy!

Looks great! Should have a nice neck too.

+1

[just_bassics]

My latest, a '79... Hope you snagged that beauty!

[BAD RONBO, KiLLeR DWaRfS]

Another way to tell:
4001S post-71: set neck
4003S: neck-through

There have been a couple of neck thru '72's IIRC.

here's one '72 s model from an old catalogue...

[johnallg]

The S in the ad has the skunk stripe through the body (neck-thru) but also walnut wings. Interesting.

[rickboy88]

Ok thanks,

but I have seen in the galery that some 4001s form the early 90's have been listed:

http://www.rickresource.com/register/ga ... 93&month=0

These bass have no skunk stripe, doe it means thaey are actually 4003s?
it is so confusing, ...

Yes, should be listed as 4003S. This is one example of a weakness in the Register that I hope to be able to help correct soon. Sometimes, the owner, or the spotter of one of the "collected information" entries, just doesn't know what he has or has seen.

It's really true that there are loads of people out there that still think every Rick bass is a 4001. Case in point: The latest issue of Vintage Guitar highlights Michael Anthony's collection. They got the designations right on the hollow-body 4005's, including rare six- and eight-stringers, but the very early single-pickup Rick is described as "Anthony got this '50s Rickenbacker 4001 . . . and was told it was the third 4001 built." It's obviously an old-style Natural 4000 minus the sliding mute.

Yeah, I noticed that too, Paul. Must be nice to have lots of play money like those guys and be able to buy whatever you want, although I can't complain re: my mini collection of four Rics (two "S" models from 1982 and a 2030 included). I remember reading about a "bass in the pool" story involving a Ric owned by Anthony (4005?), but that it wasn't repairable. I'm sure that it would be searchable on here.