Got a clean used red (and I mean red) mid-80s 4003.

[kiwi]

Guitar Center in my town made me quite a deal on a clean used Rick 4003. I think in part because of the strange color.

Serial number YB checks out to Feb-1986, and I believe it. It's red, a slightly orangey red, not wine, with black hardware and binding. Looks very, very 80s. Like it should be onstage with Blondie or The Fixx and a bunch of thin guys in dark suits, white shirts, and skinny ties.

Sounds like the real deal, though. Nearly mint - I think someone was afraid of being seen in public these last 15 years, with this very non-trad-Rick color. Parts are intact; the pickup cover's there, stock pups, electronics work fine, dead-low action. Even the foam on the damper pad is fresh and spongey. Roundwounds are pretty fresh, and thanks to this board I know that roundwounds are not death on a 4003.

The color is pretty unusual, though. Can someone tell me what Rickenbacker was thinking back then? Till then, I'm waiting for Debbie Harry to call me ....

Seriously - I traded in a perfectly nice MIM Fender Jazz bass on this one because ever since I was a Yes fan in the 70s, I've wanted a Rick, and this one spoke my name, despite the odd color. Nice board here - I learned a lot reading various posts here about what to look for.

Kiwi

[admin]

Rickenbacker used the red finish of which you speak from 1985 to 1999. It is a bright red and I think it was in line with the mid 1980s finishes seen on other guitars and basses. So your instrument is at the early end of the red finish continuum. I think that this finish looks best with chrome hardware rather than the black hardware that it is often paired with. Congratulations on getting a Rickenbacker and welcome to the Rickenbacker Forum.

[kiwi]

Thank you, Peter, for the info and the welcome. Several more questions on how to operate a Rick 4003 if you have the patience:

1) I'm rather confused on how best to operate the two outjacks. The "rearmost" jack gives me sound in all three toggle switch positions. The "Rick-o-Sound" jack in front gives me sound in only two, with a standard instrument cable. How does one
best use the stereo outputs? I will be recording with it, and I've heard the stereo outputs can sound remarkable if properly used.

2) Interesting comment about the red color looking better with chrome hardware. You may well be right! Where would I go online to look for chrome hardware or at least a different color scratchplate(s)?

3) Are some Rickenbackers equipped with higher-output pickups than others? The reason I ask is that I get full and robust sound with mine on both pickups. But I tried several other Ricks, a vintage 4001 and a new 4003, and was very surprised at the differences in output between them.

Thanks again for the welcome.

Kiwi

[axel]

about question #2, check first and foremost Mike Parks' www.the-music-connection.com/ric.htm

everything is there
a

[kiwi]

axel,

Thanks very much for the link - it's extremely helpful!

Kiwi