Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Sorry, let's try that again. 1978 Autumnglo?

O.K., enough of that, it is e-bay item #2508002003. It is described as sunburst.
Here is a picture (maybe):

Brad,
According to the "Models" listing in the Registration Page:
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Model 4008

This bass is the eight string version of the 4001 model.
1975-Introduced
1983-Discontinued
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Check it out:The 4000 Series.

Maybe it's too rare to be widely known...

There was a 4008 model ... made in the late '70s ... the 8 string version of the 4001 ... I played one ... it is similar to the 4003s8 model ... the first thing you will notice is a different headstock ...

I saw a picture of one somewhere on the web ... don't remember where ...

I gotta agree with Paul...my Gruhn Guide to Vintage Guitars (although it has been wrong before) lists a 4008 model introduced in the 70's and discontinued in 1984...available by special order only!...the 4003S8 emerged in 1987.

ok here's a link ...

http://www.rickbeat.com/modelslibrary/4008/4008.htm

Patrick,
Here's a Color Chart from the 1975-1983 RIC catalog.
Can you find any clue in there?

hey here's a red one ...

http://www.the-music-connection.com/r198.jpg

Jeff,
Thanks for the link.
My eyes have been opened for one more time!
Too bad they ain't got triangle inlays and body bindings.

So a 4008 was a model that was never included or mentioned in a catalog? The differences between it and a 4003S/8 were a bound neck & different headstock - anything else?

I personally like the 4003S/8 headstock better.

There's a new Yes boxed set now out there that comes with a booklet of some nice older pictures of the band memebers in their native element. One of the picture is Chris Squire holding his White '4008'. This bass has black pickguard, neck and body binding, triangle inlays and that rather peculiar, though very cool, 'frog foot' headstock/machine head layout as used on the 4005-8 string basses. Again, it's another instrument configuration that I really like, but will probably never have a chance to own.

Thanx for the head up, Greg.
Pretty exciting to know that a "Squire 4008" exists.

What I would like to know is why RIC switched the strings from high string first to low string first on the 4003/8's. Also, if the 4008 came with flat or round wound strings. As an aside...I wrote a letter to RIC sometime around 1981 asking them the following questions...If they could date my 4001 and 4005 by the serial numbers I supplied them and if they made or would ever make an 8-string version of a 4001. I got a letter back telling me the info I supplied was insufficient to date them with and that they had no plans to produce an 8-string 4001. I think I may still have the letter. After all these years I find out otherwise. If I find the letter I'll let you guys know.

ok...the color chart was pretty handy but not exactly like what I have but,the closest color was walnut..if I were to try to discribe it, I would have to say the center is more of a golden honey brown(kinda like the autumglo someone posted here earlier in this disscusion) and going to a dark brown but,the darkest shade is on the very edge(aprox 3/4in. wide)as opposed to the guitar on the chart,which appears to have a wider dark area on the edges.. I'm leaning towards walnut because my bass is an 82 and walnut was the only available glossy "brown" finish.and a custom finish no less(according to the book by R Smith). I'll try to get pic's posted..this is why I was hoping to get production totals,Im starting to think maybe I have an oddball or something unique??...also my 8 string was a walnut 4008(looked a lot like my 4001 but no binding and dot inlays..I have an old pic somewhere...Ill try to find it) that I purchased right off the rack back in 1985(my very first Ric)...I don't know if someone "special ordered" it and then could'nt pay or why it was even on the rack but,when I saw it, I had to have it..I've been addicted ever since..BTW you guys are not helping by showing me pics of beautiful string 8 Ric's...thats just cold man...