Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I believe we concluded a while back that the "S" is an abomination and that the "Deluxe" (for lack of a direct indicator) models were the Rickenbacker 4001/4003 basses created as Zeus intended.

I'll 2nd that statement Alan! Someone told me the "S" stands for sub-par. I'm just sayin'...

Cole (sour grapes)

Specials are the epitomy of Ric basses.

They started like that, they'll finish like that.

My 4003S...

I like the S models ... the S5 that is ...

the deal is the 4003s was a cheaper model that didn't sell as good as the deluxe model ... and now that it is discontinued people pay extra for it ... but when it was offered it didn't sell as well and people preferred the deluxe model ...

She's a beaut Mark. Jetglo looks the best on the S.

Cole

Nice Henny!
I'd love to have a jetglo V63!

"I believe we concluded a while back that the "S" is an abomination and that the "Deluxe" (for lack of a direct indicator) models were the Rickenbacker 4001/4003 basses created as Zeus intended."

Yeah, that's why the two most famous RIC basses are S models.

the deal is the 4003s was a cheaper model that didn't sell as good as the deluxe model ...

Wrong, Jeff.

True, the Specials in the early 1960s were devised as alternates to the Deluxes by way of exportation to foreign lands, but the 4003S never sat in this category as being "cheaper"

Ever since the 4003S went into production in the mid-1980s, the Special hasn't been cheaper at all, it's always listed the same price as the Deluxe model.

AND - In the later years (especially with the 4003S) there was supposedly a surcharge because it was Special Order!

Regardless, I'm taken by the Special 4000-series Rics, they look fantastic, I'm sure many agree?

Each to their own.

Yeah, that's why the two most famous RIC basses are S models.

Oh, AND THAT!

Tuner comments anyone?

Eh,.....I like Salmon better...

I'm with Henny. S is best. What's a V63 or a C64 except an S with a bigger price tag? Apart from the wings, of course.

I like the 4003S's, that one is really nice looking and probably more comfortable than a 4003. I passed on several 4001S's when I was younger because I thought them inferior also, wish I had them now. I like the 4003S much better than V63's.

"Tuner comments anyone?"

Seared, with hiosin sauce.

I got my 4003s5 from John Ashfield (sp?) it was already oil finished so I rounded the edges a little more and gave it a couple of coats of tung oil ... it is very comfortable and resonates nicely ...