Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Has anyone ever bought a new 4003 and had it's edges shaved down to more closely resemble the S models? Wondering if it is a good idea and what it might cost.

It could be done but it would look funny. The binding channel (and binding) would still be there. You could remove the bound wings and replace them with S type wings.

Jaymi who used to post here had a 70s 4001 that had the binding removed before he got it and had had it painted Union Jack style ... if you are willing to round it like a 4004 then it will work ...

I saw a rick recently where they removed the binding and installed a maple strip in it's place so it could be contoured. Can't remember where I saw it but seems like a lot of work.

I wonder if it would be possible on a 4003 from the 80s. They had such thick horns and chunky bodies that you might be able to sand down the body to a skinny 'CS' style after removing the binding...

The maple strip would be pretty easy actually.

If it's going to be a solid color couldn't you just sand with the binding in place?

If you're going to round the edges, with a router perhaps, the binding is going to be gone.

Thinking about stripping and reshaping a brand new 4003 makes me very uncomfortable. And it will never be a true conversion varnish RIC finish. Why not just search for a used 4003S or 4001v63? They do show up on eBay from time to time. Or buy a new 4001C64.

Which brings me to this question: how complicated will it be to remove the walnut wings from a C64 headstock, replace them and reshape the headstock to the "correct" (i.e. right-handed v63) shape?

Ben: You would have to take off a lot of wood to do that. BTW I did try to reply to your mail about the parts. Verizon is rejecting my mail for some reason. I have filed a complaint with their support department. Hopefully that will be handled quickly.

I think that Dale Fortune could do the CV very nicely.
Maple binding is available from several sources.
A nice dark FG would help hide the re-un-bound...
And there you go!
The new 4003's binding is thinner than the 70's.....
If you're re finishing you might as well have the correct hook done on the head stock.... Re shape to a "No-Volute"
head stock...
And so it goes.....

Here are a couple shots of a 75 I used to have that had the binding removed and the remaining channels contoured. It wasn't actually as orange as it appears. A great bass.

And the second pic.