Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

neeto-torpedo!

kssound wrote:well....
I've done a bit of homework and consulted with a couple of old RIC employees including Brian Carmen who was the factory manager at the time this was built.

Brian says "The truss rod nuts might not be original and the knobs are definitely not original" He also mentioned that, except for the knobs, there are 4 more of them out there somewhere! They made a sample run of 5 and were trying some new ideas.

One idea was the maple fingerboard to eliminate the splitting problem with the neck especially with the extra stress of a 5 string. It was also mentioned that the dot markers were an odd size as that was the size material they had in stock when they made them. Another item was that these were the first of the 5 strings and they didn't much like the looks of it so they regrouped and the 4003S/5 was the result.

That is good to hear...it means that your bass is rather unique and I am sure that they probably did not want it out of the factory but you have it so COOL!!!!!

rickfan60 wrote:
That is interesting stuff. Thanks for that. What is different about the knobs? I did not blow up the pic but they look like the standard silver-tops from here.

I've got no clue, yet...
I'll find out and get the right ones!
Scooter

Now, if only you could get something official from RIC to corroborate what you've learned...

kssound wrote:well....
I've done a bit of homework and consulted with a couple of old RIC employees including Brian Carmen who was the factory manager at the time this was built.

Brian says "The truss rod nuts might not be original and the knobs are definitely not original" He also mentioned that, except for the knobs, there are 4 more of them out there somewhere! They made a sample run of 5 and were trying some new ideas.

One idea was the maple fingerboard to eliminate the splitting problem with the neck especially with the extra stress of a 5 string. It was also mentioned that the dot markers were an odd size as that was the size material they had in stock when they made them. Another item was that these were the first of the 5 strings and they didn't much like the looks of it so they regrouped and the 4003S/5 was the result.

And who has said/thought this all along (including the fake knobs)?

That's right...Jeffy T!

It HURTS being so right all the time in a world that just doesn't believe you!

I'm glad this one has turned out to be an original unmodified Ric bass, one of the first five Ric 5-stringers. Very interesting story.

Now we need another "Model of the Week"... 4003/5 Who'da thunk it?

rickaddict wrote:
And who has said/thought this all along (including the fake knobs)?

That's right...Jeffy T!

It HURTS being so right all the time in a world that just doesn't believe you!

just don't hurt your arm patting yourself on the back!

ilan wrote:I'm glad this one has turned out to be an original unmodified Ric bass, one of the first five Ric 5-stringers. Very interesting story.

Now we need another "Model of the Week"... 4003/5 Who'da thunk it?

Sure makes me wonder where the other 4 are. Its nice to know the story finally

I was beginning to wonder if I would get it figured out.

Scott,
Did you ask if these we sold on the open market, or just were prototypes? Who did they sell/give them to?

rikk wrote:Scott,
Did you ask if these we sold on the open market, or just were prototypes? Who did they sell/give them to?

My understanding is that they were sold. I'm not positive about that because Brian Carmen was only pretty sure that they were sold. He did say that they always made 5 test units on anything being tried and the 5 string in 86 was no exception.

Knowing the story is nice. I'm a bit disappointed as I was hoping to find a 5 string with the triangle inlays and dark wood fingerboard to match my 4001 but there is no such beast as far as I can tell. I'm not much for the looks of the maple but it is what it is. I am glad that I now know how to adjust the truss rods (just did in fact). One was surprisingly loose when I got there. I've always been disappointed with the string clearance as my 4001 is incredibly close and plays beautifully. Now that is fixed and I can enjoy playing the thing although with there being only 5 and I have the only known one maybe I shouldn't.

kssound wrote: I was hoping to find a 5 string with the triangle inlays and dark wood fingerboard to match my 4001 but there is no such beast as far as I can tell

There are always Jeff Rath's conversions, like this one on eBay:

kssound wrote: I'm a bit disappointed as I was hoping to find a 5 string with the triangle inlays and dark wood fingerboard to match my 4001 but there is no such beast as far as I can tell.

Well, actually there is...sort of:

http://cgi.ebay.com/2001-Rickenbacker-4 ... 240%3A1318

Edit: Looks like we think alike, Ilan!

ilan wrote:

kssound wrote: I was hoping to find a 5 string with the triangle inlays and dark wood fingerboard to match my 4001 but there is no such beast as far as I can tell

There are always Jeff Rath's conversions, like this one on eBay:

Nice pics on the auction but I miss the rug and couch.

Actually the glass table works very well with the relatively neutral rug beneath it at highlighting the bass.

rickaddict wrote:

kssound wrote:well....
I've done a bit of homework and consulted with a couple of old RIC employees including Brian Carmen who was the factory manager at the time this was built.

Brian says "The truss rod nuts might not be original and the knobs are definitely not original" He also mentioned that, except for the knobs, there are 4 more of them out there somewhere! They made a sample run of 5 and were trying some new ideas.

One idea was the maple fingerboard to eliminate the splitting problem with the neck especially with the extra stress of a 5 string. It was also mentioned that the dot markers were an odd size as that was the size material they had in stock when they made them. Another item was that these were the first of the 5 strings and they didn't much like the looks of it so they regrouped and the 4003S/5 was the result.

And who has said/thought this all along (including the fake knobs)?

That's right...Jeffy T!

It HURTS being so right all the time in a world that just doesn't believe you!

Jeff, so I missed the knobs... I was concentrating on the maple fretboard and the rods. The nuts at the headstock look like the first nuts on the rods, before the acorn nuts go on, or like an acorn nut after the acorn comes off. Anyway, nice job - I'll pat you on the back to save your arm for playing bass.

[edit] Just noticed I missed post #9000 quite a while ago. I gotta get a life......

johnallg wrote:
And who has said/thought this all along (including the fake knobs)?

That's right...Jeffy T!

It HURTS being so right all the time in a world that just doesn't believe you!

Jeff, so I missed the knobs... I was concentrating on the maple fretboard and the rods. The nuts at the headstock look like the first nuts on the rods, before the acorn nuts go on, or like an acorn nut after the acorn comes off. Anyway, nice job - I'll pat you on the back to save your arm for playing bass.

[edit] Just noticed I missed post #9000 quite a while ago. I gotta get a life...... [/quote]

Well, I did look the knobs over and as far as I can tell they are the right knobs they just don't have any text on them. I will get a set from RIC they're only $20 and would "complete" the thing.