Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Here is a question I've been meaning to ask - what's the story behind the Shadow? Some interesting comments came up in the Lemmy signature model thread, but I thought it would be helpful to gather them in their own thread. In searching I found some info, but I think there must be more knowledge out there.

Actually, a post in the 4004LK thread sparked some interesting questions: Were they really made for Guitar Center? Do they really all have Z serial numbers?

Another reason why I ask - I recently bought a 4003/S8 (the one that quickly disappeared at Mike Parks', but that's another story) and it turned out to be what appears to be a shadow! Pictures forthcoming...

pictures!

I think the Shadows were for an anniversary of Guitar Center, one for each one, I'm not positive though.

Harry your bass is close but not a Shadow. The Shadow is a 4003 not a 4003s. The "s" model had no binding. The Shadow has checkerboard binding. Unlike the regular 4003 in '86 the Shadow has black dot markers. The regular 4003BT (Black trim) would have had triangle fret makers. It looks as if you s8 has pearl dots. It's close but there are the two subtle differences. Nice bass you have there BTW. Wanna trade for a Shadow?

That S8 is not a shadow, but a JGBT. The Shadows have checker binding along with the BT (black trim) option.

The Shadow doesn't have a toaster either just a regular 4 pole P/U. All the ones that we have seem here are Z serials.

Wow, glad I asked! Thanks for the information everybody - and keep it coming too, this is great!

While I feel a twinge of disappointment that it isn't a Shadow, I'm also glad to find out what it really is. Somehow 4003/S8 JGBT doesn't quite have the same ring to it, but it sounds great which is the most important thing.

I did some recording with it recently, I'll post a link when I upload anything.

Nice 4003s8 ya' got there.... !

Shadow


4003S Jetglo BT


The GC story is true as told by JH - I believe, and for what we know, all known Shadows begin w Z. Chris P is tracking that, he certainly can confirm - after a long day on the course that is!

cheers

Right you are, Andy!! 36 holes, the last 9 in the rain.....ya gotta love it!!

Yes, so far, all known Shadows are Sept/Nov (except for one)....there have only been 17 reported/accounted for so far. Jenn Kitner knows a guy that has one, I am waiting for info on that one.. Right Jenn?

Do these have the normal jetglo finish? If so my bass must have faded.

I know that JH told the story but did he ever say that they only made enough to provide one bass per store and that the model was exclusive to GC? I went along with the "only 50 made" notion for a while but there are just too many surfacing for that to be true IMHO.

Yes, Ted.....JH stated that he believed that there were only 1 per store at that time, but that a few more could have been issued as he had one for his personal use....

There is a thread with this info, stuck in here somewhere....I recall it pretty vividly

Nate...jetglo is THE color for Shadows.

Personally, I'm excited about this thread. I feel like I've learned a lot, and hopefully people in the future will be able to find this information all in one place. If you find any links to pertinent threads, please feel free to post them!

Meanwhile, I've been hard at work, trying to finish the track featuring my 4003/S8 JGBT, but it's going to be a while yet. I might stick up a rough mix at some point. How many people have high speed connections? I've noticed not many people post links to music around here...

A (not so great) pic of me in the studio will have to suffice for now: