Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

No mahogany. 4001 and 4003 are maple with bubinga fretboards. For a time (1971ish to 1980ish) , a "skunk stripe" of some other darker wood was run through the middle of the neck-through-body assembly. I believe this was an effort to strengthen the neck, and it went away with the advent of the 4003 with the improved truss system.

4004 Cheyennes are currently a maple neck with body wings composed of a maple/walnut/maple sandwich. The original Cheyenne had solid walnut body wings. Early Cheyenne IIs had maple-topped walnut wings. I think the only mahogany used on Rick basses was the fretboards of the 4002. Or was that ebony?

Ebony was the 4002 fretboard.. I think the wood for the stripe was shedua (sp?), but correct me if I'm wrong. To think that's I'm posting stuff that I learned here.. lol.

IIRC John Hall posted here that a few ebony-board 4003's (or 4001's) were made. I wonder where they are. Perhaps the current owners aren't aware of the rarity of their instruments.

I know of one 71 21 fret ebony board. There was an 73 AZ FL that had one too on eBay a while back, but I'm not too sure that was an original.

There's a guy selling a new 4003 for $950 at the Dudepit. He's been suggested to ask around here for it. Looks like a nice Fireglo.

The new Ricks have somewhat chunky necks. Some don't like it. Seems like all agree the new 4003's have a great tone.

An older 4001 will likely have a thinner neck and a thinner tone on the bridge PU...

Nate, you are correct about the 4001 skunk stripe wood being shedua.

I'll agree about the one over at The Dudepit for sale, it's a gorgeous Fireglo, and the price is right I guess, with maybe a little negotiating.

Just to add my $0.02 -- I had a '74 4001 and am now using a 2005 MB 4003 with Rotosounds on both. For me there is no comparison tone-wise: the 4003 blows the old boy away. Much more solid instrument and the new ones have the selectable tone switch. In terms of playability, I'd be tempted to give the edge to the 4001, but that could just be the result of 20 year old memories coloured by oldtimers disease. I seem to remember the neck playing a little faster. Might have something to do with the finish. Stay away from the early 4003s though. Good luck!

What is the general consensus about this 1980 BurgundyGlo on Ebay for $1200 and others like it?
I absolutely love this color!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7403007132&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

Pretty nice looker, Ben. With a new 4003 available for less than a grand, I'm not sure I'd jump on an 80 4001 for $1200. But it seems to be the real thing...

Ben:

OH man, your selling a Gibson Ripper… that was my FIRST BASS! Same color too!

Sigh, sweet memories.....

Funny, I really don't like my new 2005 4003 Monty. The color is stunning, but that's where it ends.

The neck is like a Louisville slugger in comparison to my 4001CS or my V63.

Gibson OUT!
Rickenbacker IN!!!!

I can see this is not going to be easy.....
I drove 60 miles yesterday to a music store that usually has ALL guitars but no 4003's in stock.
I sure would like to play one at least before I buy one. Now I hear that the older necks are more desirable in playability and Tony compares his 4003 neck to a Louisville slugger. On the other side of the coin you guys say the tone on a 4003 is better than that of a 4001. A bass is worthless with an unplayable neck IMO.

I have a 2004 Laredo (4004) and a 75 4001. Certainly the "Louisville Slugger" is apt in some ways, but I don't find the Laredo neck uncomfortable in the least.

If you got an older 4001 it's pretty easy to bypass the capacitor on the bridge PU and get the meat back into the sound.

That red SOB went for $1500! Damn....and I wanted it bad.......