RANDY! Here's your broken headstock!!!!!

atomic_punk · Post by **atomic_punk** » Mon Oct 18, 2004 8:11 pm

Has anyone else ever seen one with checkered binding? I know I haven't, I THINK the earliest one I have seen is the one I used to have (a '75).

And I dont think you are going to ruin it, believe me, anything that can be done to bring this beast back to life would be an improvement! I'd love to see it back rockin' again!

learning_curve · Post by **learning_curve** » Mon Oct 18, 2004 8:30 pm

Well I don't know Steve? Perhaps tearing that neck out of the body is a little more intrusive than I should go with it? Some of these guy's can probably return this one to it's natural state.

I want one for a complete conversion. So In my determination to replace that neck completely, which I do not know is actually possible, I may never get it to work properly and thus ruin a good progect for more experienced hands.

Surprised no one mentioned the Potato Heads had 4001 necks to begin with? Or did they?

I would love to go head first and get down & dirty making this one into an 8 banger but I think I will wait and find one with a more suitable neck! It's the checkerboard that drew me in.

Anyone got a prediction of what this one will go for?

atomic_punk · Post by **atomic_punk** » Tue Oct 19, 2004 7:54 am

I believe Entwhistle's PotatoHead is a 1973...so that that would make it a 4001, AND the same year as this one!

aceonbass · Post by **aceonbass** » Tue Oct 19, 2004 7:55 am

While I think this bass can be repaired, There is no way it will take the added tension of FOUR more strings even without a break at the nut.

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Tue Oct 19, 2004 10:08 am

Dane could be right. This is just my theory but I believe it has some merit. I have seen first hand that a significant part of the stiffness of Rick necks is the stiffness of the fingerboard. When the fingerboards are removed, the neck itself is like a wet noodle. It seems that Rick basses with more than the usual 4 strings have dot necks and no binding. While it is true that some 4003S/8's have binding, every one I have seen have dot necks. The triangle markers (and binding) displace a lot of wood and may make the fingerboard less rigid and less suitable for use as a 5 or 8 string neck. There may be another reason why triangles don't appear on the 5ers and 8ers but this seems likely to me.

aceonbass · Post by **aceonbass** » Tue Oct 19, 2004 12:48 pm

My luthier has a special process involving the usual epoxy and pegging method along with drilling across the break and "sewing" it up with carbon-graphite thread soaked in epoxy. He's fixed necks that were broken off at the body this way. While he could definitely fix this as good as new, I would never trust the old style truss rods with 8 strings. Don't even waste your time on this bass if ya want an 8-string bass Randy. The way to go is to step up and buy a 4003 with NO structural problems to modify. It really won't cost too much considering the fact that you can use all of the original parts any way. As far as parts go, the only thing you'll need is 4 guitar tuners and a set of strings. As a matter of fact I happen to know that Mike Parks has 5 Ricky Schaller guitar tuners(I just bought one for my 10-string bass project.) The rest is all labor. JUST DO IT!

learning_curve · Post by **learning_curve** » Tue Oct 19, 2004 2:29 pm

Yep Dane That's what I figured too. I'll find a used 4003 and for less than it will cost me to fix this one I will have that 8 string! And Wow what stress saver! Now If I can keep you guy's off ebay for a while I might get a good used 4003! FUnny some of the 1990's 4003's go for almost as much as they cast brand spankni new!

GO Figure?

jnbass · Post by **jnbass** » Tue Oct 19, 2004 5:19 pm

the 4008 had neck binding. And a ******** looking tailpiece.

I think the 4003S/8 is a better built 8 banger-IMHO

atomic_punk · Post by **atomic_punk** » Tue Oct 19, 2004 5:45 pm

Randy, the only reason I pointed that out is because you said that you wanted a broken neck to make a PotatoHead out of. I would also highly recommend using an existing 4003, and just converting that one.

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Wed Oct 20, 2004 8:57 am

Ok, so there were two 8er's. The 4008 and the 4003S/8 are distinct models. Doesn't the 4008 have the strings setup the other way around with the small string is above the larger?

aceonbass · Post by **aceonbass** » Wed Oct 20, 2004 9:15 am

I've seen 4008's that came both ways string wise. The use of the same tuners for all of the strings alows you to have it either way by only changing nut and string saddles. I prefer the high octave string first. Squire's Ranney-8 is also strung that way.

learning_curve · Post by **learning_curve** » Wed Oct 20, 2004 12:24 pm

Steve I would have tried that 4001 if I could get it quite cheap... And I really love the checkerboard! It is higer than it's worth to me already? Thanks Again for the heads up! Really! I don't watch Ebay as closely as you guy's.

If I can't find a bass with some headstock damage I will certainly try and find a good used 4003. I am bidding on one now but most likly I will not get it. These seem to go for around $1000.00 and hell I can buy a new one for $1079.00! This makes no sense to me at all?

jps · Post by **jps** » Wed Oct 20, 2004 1:40 pm

A 4003 MG just sold the other day on ebay for $1185.00!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=4713&item=3753568984&rd=1

I find that amazing as I just bought a 4003FL from Bass NW for $799.00, that was used but only because the buyer returned it after a couple months to get something else. It is in brand new condition with everything, even the unfilled out warranty card.

wints · Post by **wints** » Wed Oct 20, 2004 2:27 pm

No rhyme or reason to E Bay somedays. That FL was a real good deal Jeff, I,ve got my 73 out at present. I seem to remember a A/G 73 with toaster and binding for sale last year on E Bay. It had some issues, not as serious as this one, but more than enough for most and still made big $$$$ if I recall. I wouldn,t be surprised to see this get bid up more than Jeff,s new FL.....

jps · Post by **jps** » Wed Oct 20, 2004 3:56 pm

Oh yeah, the 4003FL came with a RIC vintage strap and the straplocks! Something you don't normally get with a new bass.