Production quantities of various Ric basses

banta · Post by **banta** » Tue Oct 08, 2002 7:11 am

Does anyone know where a list of production numbers can be found on Ric basses? I'm particularly interested in knowing the numbers of the early ('57-'60) 4000, the elusive 4005/6, the 4002, 4003S/8 Redneck, Blackstar, etc.

Anyone?

doctorwho · Post by **doctorwho** » Tue Oct 08, 2002 2:41 pm

Brad,
Over at Bjornn Ericksson's page, he has a picture of a 4003S/SPC Blackstar with its Certificate of Authenticity and Origin:

http://www.rickbeat.com/modelslibrary/4003s-spcblackstar/4003s-spcblackstar.htm

The certificate states that the guitar shown was # 142 of 200 produced.

Also, not too long ago there was posted on eBay a 4003S Tuxedo with its COAAO, which had the total run as 100 (I saved a copy of the JPEG for future reference).

So, two down! Personally, I'd love to see how many 4000FL were made; I have one from 1977 in Burgundy.

banta · Post by **banta** » Tue Oct 08, 2002 3:43 pm

Thanks Gary.

I'd really like to know the production quantities of the early 4000. I'm hoping someone here knows about them. Another rare bird is the 4005LS (Lightshow) which I believe totaled around a half dozen!

jwilli · Post by **jwilli** » Tue Oct 08, 2002 4:16 pm

I believe that JH said that only 5 4005LS were ever made. And only 3 were accounted for.

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Wed Oct 09, 2002 8:48 am

Brad, Richard Smith's book has some data about the production totals for the 4000 basses in the back sections near the index; you may find this useful. Any way you look at it, they weren't 'flying out the door' in those days.....

wints · Post by **wints** » Wed Oct 09, 2002 8:51 am

Brad, Smith,s book lists for the 4000....16 dark colour basses, (two tone brown or autumnglo), 23 natural/mapleglo, 15 fireglo,and 25 that had no colour listed on the invoice....79 in total from 57 to 60...then the rest from 60 to 68 total 152.

banta · Post by **banta** » Wed Oct 09, 2002 10:41 am

Only 79 early 4000s? I guess that means I'm not likely to find one I can afford.

Anybody know anything about the 4005/6 (six string bass?)

admin · Post by **admin** » Wed Oct 09, 2002 11:17 am

Jwilli: Did you mention the two under your bed? Just kidding.

Leftybass and Wints: There is much interesting information in the Smith book, however, it is to be remembered that this information is an estimate of the total production and likely an underestimate in a number of areas. It is a great beginning, however, I would dearly love to visit RIC with my laptop one day and have the permission to do a complete analysis.

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Wed Oct 09, 2002 11:32 am

Right, Peter...I would refer everyone to the article on Smith production totals at Rickresource.com; it may help to better understand how to interpret the data....

Concerning the existing totals in Smith's research,I tend to think the earlier days(1957-63)may yield more accurate data than from 1964 on...

ken_james · Post by **ken_james** » Fri Oct 11, 2002 7:21 am

That's my Blackstar on Bjorns page, I know that they only made 200, but as for the Shadows, Redneck and Tux basses, I've never seen the production numbers.

w3stoner · Post by **w3stoner** » Mon Oct 14, 2002 8:14 pm

I'd love to know the 4002 numbers. A few years ago during my great 4005 search I wound up instead with a 4002FL. It was a bit on the pricey side but mint and well worth it. I barely touch my fender anymore.

rickcrazy · Post by **rickcrazy** » Tue Oct 15, 2002 3:37 am

How many 21 fret 4001 basses and how many 4080s were made, and exactly for how long? Anyone?

rickcrazy · Post by **rickcrazy** » Tue Jan 14, 2003 8:09 am

I can not find much information on this.
I'd say the 21-fret version of the 4001 bass was made from 1969 to 1972 in small numbers - there aren't many about, are there?
As for the 4080 Model, I believe it was produced from 1975 to ca. 1985. I'm not positive on the production numbers therefor, though - somewhere between 100 and 200 units? If affirmative, every 4080 out there is truly rare and valuable.
Comments welcome.

banta · Post by **banta** » Tue Jan 14, 2003 10:39 am

'57 4000

I still would like to see early 4000 numbers, specifically '57 through '60.

squirebass · Post by **squirebass** » Tue Jan 14, 2003 2:31 pm

I once saw a post about the 4002 production numbers on old Evil Bob's Rickenbacker Planet website(remember him?!?). Someone put the production totals for all 4002 basses at 187 units. Whether that is accurate or not, I couldn't say...