Rick 4003/5 on Craigslist

[Ashgray]

Just seen this on Craigslist - they're claiming it's a prototype, as it's not the usual 4003s/5. It does have a bound body and neck but no sharkfin position markers. Also a maple board and the frets seem wider than usual. Very nice, but $9,200!

https://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/msd/5884384581.html

Ash

[cheyenne]

Calling Paul Boyer!

[bassduke49]

Ooh, very interesting. January 1986, maple fingerboard, binding - very interesting. Agree that it was probably a prototype.

[jps]

Maybe the 9200 was really supposed to reflect the elevation the bass is at, not the price?

[bassduke49]

Maybe the 9200 was really supposed to reflect the elevation the bass is at, not the price?

Whatever, it's too lofty!

[Kiddwad57]

Ballpark then? Unless this a question that's not appropriate for this forum...

[jps]

Ballpark then? Unless this a question that's not appropriate for this forum...

Until there is provenance from RIC on this "super rare prototype" probably not too much more than a 4003S/5. IMO (which doesn't count for much anything, really).

Anyone know if the extra holes in the back of the tailpiece are normal for a 5 string tailpiece of the era?

[Badanovski]

But..but..It comes with the stereo box!!!!

[DriftSpace]

Anyone know if the extra holes in the back of the tailpiece are normal for a 5 string tailpiece of the era?

Is that factory-original black marker on the edge of that binding as well?

[squirebass]

Anyone know if the extra holes in the back of the tailpiece are normal for a 5 string tailpiece of the era?

Is that factory-original black marker on the edge of that binding as well?

Yeah, whassup with that?

[Ric4003]

Ballpark then? Unless this a question that's not appropriate for this forum...

Until there is provenance from RIC on this "super rare prototype" probably not too much more than a 4003S/5. IMO (which doesn't count for much anything, really).

Anyone know if the extra holes in the back of the tailpiece are normal for a 5 string tailpiece of the era?

If the holes are originally factory drilled,could it of been intended for an 8 string bass?

[Ashgray]

Yep, pretty sure that's a standard 8-string tailpiece - seven screws and no "teeth" over the foam damper.

Ash

[jdogric12]

Anyone know if the extra holes in the back of the tailpiece are normal for a 5 string tailpiece of the era?

Is that factory-original black marker on the edge of that binding as well?

Yeah, whassup with that?

In the photo that was copied to RRF? Isn't that just where the paint wasn't accurately razored off the binding? IIRC they paint over the binding and then take it off again with a razor blade.

[Gilmourisgod]

They do paint over the binding during color coat and then scrape it off later prior to clearcoat, a highly skilled job that shows up in one of the Rick factory tour videos on Youtube.

[DriftSpace]

They do paint over the binding during color coat and then scrape it off later prior to clearcoat, a highly skilled job that shows up in one of the Rick factory tour videos on Youtube.

Right, but the factory workers know where to scrape the binding; they know where it meets the body, and the edge of the razor is actually guided by the edge of the router channel after the first few passes. That looks like marker to me, especially on the left side of the photo.

I could be wrong, and it could be a bad/weird scrape job, but I personally haven't seen a factory finish look like that.