The D string bridge saddle on that bass is turned around causing it to have an uneven string spacing between the A and G strings. Maybe it's previous owner couldn't figure out how to intonate the string properly?
the first thing I do with a 4003s5 is replace the saddles and cut the slots for a wider spacing ... 2 1/4" instead of the 2 1/16" that is standard for these basses ...
Good eyes Joey. I've bought a couple of Rics with turned around saddles also. I've turned them back around and wonder "why in the heck did they do that? Because the intonation has always been ok.
Thanks Bob. When I bought my 4003S/5, the B and G saddles were switched, looked like this:
I don't know what makes people do stuff like that!!??
It was an easy fix and then the blue beast was fine:
One time as I was trying to intonate one of my 4001's, I adjusted the saddle all the way as far as it could go and it wasn't enough. The only way for me to get it to go farther was to take it out and put it in backwards. String spacing wasn't an issue as the saddle groove was cut in the center. Flipping the saddle did the trick and was easy to do.
Nice Midnight Blue by the way. I have one just like it but with chrome hardware and white plastic.
Jeff, when I strung my '73 4001 BEAD, I had to turn around the saddle for the the B string to intonate properly. The saddles on the 4001 are notched in the center so turning them around doesn't usually change string spacing.
I got my blue beast seen above on ebay a year and a half ago for a $1000 with a buy it now.