The 4003S is back!!!

[aceonbass]

The neck blank for all RIC basses is routed right up to the fretboard because the 4004 has the neck pickup there. RIC should really stop doing that. The body wings for 4003's are routed differently, which is why there's a step.

[Colonel Sanders]

This cavity is only as wide as the neck at the base of the fretboard. Part of the body wings would have to be routed on either side of this area to allow for 1/2" spacing.

Yeah!

Thanks for that!

I forgot about that. The neck is full witdh but the wings are not.

[RickyBubba]

I wonder to which point we must say "Thanks Guitar Center". Their limited run of 4001S may have allowed RIC to program their CNC to now manufacture the 4003S.

Anyway, endless thanks to RIC for having released this serie.

Programming CNC is no big deal to be honest.

Did the price come down a little compared to a W with the binding? One would hope so.

[iamthebassman]

Lefties??

[teeder]

Programming CNC is no big deal to be honest.

+1!

[bassduke49]

Did the price come down a little compared to a W with the binding? One would hope so.

The new 2015 price sheet shows both the standard and W versions of the 4003 at $2159 list. Both the standard and W versions of the 4003S are at $1899 list. This is great news for those who have seen premium prices for the vintage models. Granted, the "new" S models don't have the premium Toaster and reissue Horseshoe pickups, but it's nice to see the simpler, less dressy models properly priced lower than the fancier ones!

[Captain Bob]

And, it's one step closer to a legacy reissue 4001S/1999 type model.

[aceonbass]

Some parts swapping out of the RIC catalog will get you there.

[bassduke49]

And, it's one step closer to a legacy reissue 4001S/1999 type model.

As long as RIC keeps the reissue Toaster and Horseshoe available, converting a current S model to an affordable (simulated) vintage instrument should keep a lot of us happy. For those of us who aren't that particular, the "close enough" look and the attractive price should make it a seller!

[woodyng]

This reissue should hopefully pull in naysayers who find the 4003 overpriced too!

[aceonbass]

At $1899, a 4001S should street for about $1350-$1400, which would make the budget model it was originally intended to be.

[jps]

This reissue should hopefully pull in naysayers who find the 4003 overpriced too!

More so, those one who complain all the time about the binding rubbing against their arms (Poor posture? Playing technique? Just something/anything to complain about? ). But those folks usually hang out at TB, IIRC.

[sloop_john_b]

More so, those one who complain all the time about the binding rubbing against their arms (Poor posture? Playing technique? Just something/anything to complain about?

One of the reasons I stopped favoring mine. When picking, at my preferred strap height, it was downright painful.

[woodyng]

This reissue should hopefully pull in naysayers who find the 4003 overpriced too!

More so, those one who complain all the time about the binding rubbing against their arms (Poor posture? Playing technique? Just something/anything to complain about? ). But those folks usually hang out at TB, IIRC.

I would be one of "those folks". After recently keeping a '75 4001 for a friend for a few weeks,it reinforced my general dislike of the binding as anything other than decoration. And at this point,after playing bass for the better part of 3-4 decades,i don't think my posture,etc is going to change anytime soon.....so i am thankful for 4004 and S model Ricks.

[jps]

Us old farts can complain about pain. Just standing up sometimes can cause pain!