4003S years of manufacture ?

zoomduck · Post by **zoomduck** » Sat May 13, 2006 11:04 am

When were these made ? Are there very many ? Was the one on ebay worth $1600 ? Rickenbackers...so much to learn .

s4001 · Post by **s4001** » Sat May 13, 2006 11:46 am

The reg'lar old run-of-the-mill 4003S is probably my favorite Ric bass. Unfortunately, I don't own one currently. Though I have owned close to a dozen over the years. They made them with the advent of the 4003 (switching over from the 4001 model.) I think they discontinued them around 1999 or so.

I think 1600 is way too much for one, seeing as that's the going rate for a V63. But then again, something is only worth what someone will pay for it.

BTW, if someone has a 4003S that they hate, let's talk.

henny · Post by **henny** » Sun May 14, 2006 3:00 am

4003S are great, great instruments.

Thin necks, FIRE-like pickups, solid construction with a 4003-rodded neck - and of course no binding/triangles. A real players bass.

No, there isn't that many around. I've seen more V63/C64s than 4003S.

The production dates are somewhat bizzare:

4003S - The 4-string 4003S ended production in 1996, just as Rickenbacker changed the design of the standard 4003 to mimic the 60s style. Thus they were made between 1982 and 1996.

4003S/5 & S/8 - These were continued into early 2000, alas they have the thinner body horns and long headstock.

Mine is literally one of the last Specials ever made, from 1996. Glad I caught one!

zoomduck · Post by **zoomduck** » Sun May 14, 2006 2:51 pm

Sounds like $1600 is the only way to get one .

maplered · Post by **maplered** » Sun May 14, 2006 3:00 pm

That looks great w/ the VP and vintage knobs.

milo · Post by **milo** » Sun May 14, 2006 3:09 pm

Mine is a 1989 or a 1990, I don't remember which right now. I bought it used a few years ago and it's the only one I've seen for sale (new or used) that wasn't on Ebay.

The neck is way thinner than the new 4003 models that I've seen in the stores over the last couple of years. I love it.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Sun May 14, 2006 3:20 pm

Jeff ... I remember that 4003s of yours ... it has a real nice slim neck ...

strong · Post by **strong** » Mon May 15, 2006 7:18 pm

Here's one up for grabs, pickups are Bartolinis and it has some wear. I don't know the seller, but I traded emails with him and he appears to be a real good guy.

http://detroit.craigslist.org/msg/156591649.html

henny · Post by **henny** » Tue May 16, 2006 12:53 am

That's a 4001S, set-neck - not a 4003S which is neck-through...

strong · Post by **strong** » Tue May 16, 2006 4:52 am

Ah. Didn't realize there was a neck-through. Cool.

philipharris · Post by **philipharris** » Tue May 16, 2006 9:31 am

Nowt wrong with those set necks. I love my 4001S, it's a great player. Burgundy, too.