My Vacation Souvenir

highway_star · Post by **highway_star** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 4:21 am

Greetings all!

I just got back from a vacation with the family and am somehow still sane after dealing with the kids all week. We went to Atlanta and Myrtle Beach (yes, I was there during Ernesto) and saw the Georgia Aquarium and some of the Myrtle Beach family attractions. So the kids had a blast and I'm a bit ragged from all the driving and corralng little ones.

Nonetheless, that's not why I'm posting. I made my obligatory stop by the Atlanta Bass Gallery to see what was going on when a Map;eglo 4003s5 caught my attention. I asked the owner what he wanted for it. Get this - $800!!!!!!!! The serial number number checked to January '97 and it was in really great shape - no major marks on the body, everything worked. and the case was the original. I think a tuner may have been replaced since the graphics on one looked different than the other 4, but it was the same style of Schaller tuner as the others.

So I played it for a while and for some reason, I could work with the narrow string spacing on it. It wasn't too bad. It sounded fine and I figured at the least, I could flip it if I didn't want to keep it. So I verified the price again while not letting on that I thought it was WAY underpriced and whipped out the old MasterCard.

I picked up a few CD's and strings and left for dinner with the family. I later checked the receipt and the dealer had picked up the sales tax, so the sales price written on the receipt was $750!!!!!!! How cool is that?

Before anyone asks, I'm planning to hold onto it for a while. My new band likes Rickenbackers and so I may take it to a practice or two to see how it works out. But it's nice to have a workable Ric 5-string in the arsenal to balance out my tonal pallette. It was getting a bit Fender-ish with the Mike Lulls I've been using.

cheyenne · Post by **cheyenne** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 4:47 am

The non-matching tuner is common with the 4003S-5. The Red/black trim one I sold Jeff Rath was the same way. They must have had sets of 4 at the factory along with a bin of non-matching single ones to make up the 5er's.

Super deal. Everyone needs to happen along a deal like that at least once in their life.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 4:59 am

to make your S5 a better bass replace the saddles and cut the string grooves to 2 1/4" ... the extra 3/16" will make it a little more finger friendly ... you can either get a machinist to make replacement saddles or get 4 string saddles and grind them down a little ... that is a great price on a 4003s5 ... it is worth twice that ...

dswp · Post by **dswp** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 5:00 am

Great deal Ron!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ram · Post by **ram** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 5:07 am

Wow, great score Ron!!! After 30+ years of 4001ing, I picked up a 4003S-5 almost a year ago (more than double what you paid.. sob, sob). Oh well it's only cash. I agree, took a little getting used to the string picth/spacing. Mine was mono so I modified to RoS. I think I have the action and pickups where I like them now and am still looking at which strings I like best on it. All in all a very kick butt instrument. Enjoy it and congrats!!!

s4001 · Post by **s4001** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 5:22 am

HE SCORES!!!

ilan · Post by **ilan** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 5:25 am

Great deal - I hope it's a keeper! I like Jeff's bridge mod, and it's easily reversible.

atomic_punk · Post by **atomic_punk** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 5:42 am

Nice!! Jeff's mod is an excellent one, I have played the basses he did this to, and it does help if the spacing seems a little tight. Congrats on the score!!

beatlefan · Post by **beatlefan** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 5:43 am

Way to go , Ron!!!

See? It really DOES happen...

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 5:47 am

Great score Ron! I have 3 4003S/5s, two of which are playable. One of the playable ones is perfectly stock and the other has a (genuine) Rath bridge mod. I can play both comfortably but I would guess that most players would prefer the Rath spacing.

charlyg · Post by **charlyg** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 5:49 am

How does that spacing compare to my 4003 4-2-5?

incubus2432 · Post by **incubus2432** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 5:54 am

Congrats Ron!

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 6:11 am

Charly, the 4-2-5 has tighter spacing because it is based on the width of a 4003 fingerboard. The 4003S/5 has a slightly wider board. I found yours to be quite playable but not everyone would.

rickenbrother · Post by **rickenbrother** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 6:17 am

Congrats Ron, that's a great deal you got!

loendmaestro · Post by **loendmaestro** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 7:39 am

Yeah, Jim at the ABG is a good guy to deal with.

One problem though Ron - you were in my town & didn't call me?!?!?

Enjoy the fiver...