All Ready Eight

[Ashgray]

One thing I've never known and hopefully someone here can clarify - what's the difference between a 4003/8 and a 4008?

[aceonbass]

4008's had bound dot fret boards and the fundamental string first in the pair. The tailpiece was also cut out all the way across the string openings in the top like your '86 (later S8's had the four separate holes), and of course they also had the old truss rod system. I'd like to know how the truss rods in those basses held up against the extra tension.

[bassduke49]

Also, at least the younger 4008s had the early 4003-style truss systems with the hairpin rods and adjusters at the body end of the neck. They may or may not have had the split pick guard.

[aceonbass]

Paul, weren't some 4008's made in the 70's before the early 4003 truss rod system was introduced? I'm pretty sure 4001 style rods were present in Squire and Entwistle's 4008 prototypes.

[bassduke49]

Yes, Dane. The later ones (hence "younger") made in the early '80s and before the 4003S/8 had the "new" system with the adjusters at the body end of the neck.

[aceonbass]

Thanks Paul! You're a wealth of knowledge. Ever thought about writing a book on the subject

[Ashgray]

Yes, thanks - between Paul and Dane, I'm now fairly sure this is a 4003s/8

I couldn't resist posting a couple of shots of it with my other two Ricks...

[rickenbottom]

Wow! Very nice collection