Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hi everybody, I finally got around to post some pics of my new 4003S. This was the bass at BassNW first listed nearly two weeks ago that was installed with Seymour Duncan pickups. I received it last Friday night, and on Saturday I assisted one of my friends to re-install the original higains (which were included with the bass).

It's in great shape for being over 11 years old, and the Mapleglo has a real nice grain to it. The problem is, I am not the greatest fan of Mapleglo, so I've arranged for the bass to be refinished in a clear blue by Paul W. later this year. I can't wait.

I'm done talking, now here's the bass:

That is some nice ripple, as the wino said to his dog...

It's gonna look really fine in a transparent finish, too.

I like that one!
Congrats, Ron!

Gonna be blue !..........I wants it !!!!!!

nice score, man!

Sweet! Congrats, Ron!

Very nice bass!
It'll look fantastic in trans blue!

Trans blue, eh? This should be a beauty when it's done. Heck, it already is a beauty!

I'm behind the trans blue 110% but I'd go a short step further and "vintageize" it with a plexi truss rod cover, larger pickguard all the way to the bridge pickup surround and black knobs.

Yeah Dane, I was thinking about what you are suggesting down the road. I just can't wait to see it in blue! I just have to be a little patient...

1/2" spacing too.

If the finish is going to be a "light" trans blue... I wonder what it'd look like to do the headstock wings in a darker trans blue? Like the contrast between sky blue and ocean blue.

I think that'd look mighty... especially with all of that grain showing through!

Just a random brain fart...

I feel as JH does, that the 1/2" spacing compromises the strength at the neck joint. The pickup could probably be moved forward a bit till it hits the wood in there but just extending the guard back to the surround makes it look further forward too. On my 4008, the half inch spacing(really 5/8") was actually achieved by making the fingerboard longer with the 21st fret, leaving the pickup in the stock location. Now's the time to make any changes and peg or drill any extra holes though, before the refin.

Very nice Ron, congrats. It should look great in trans blue.

If it was mine, I would keep it MG and stain the headwings in a nice dark walnut brown. And add the vintage guard and knobs. Love those walnut wings!