"White" 4003?

tcollins · Post by **tcollins** » Thu Jan 25, 2001 12:51 pm

Has Rickenbacker discontinued this color? I have one (1984) that has mellowed to a nice Ivory tone.
It was pure white when I bought it...learned later (after I had already purchased it) from the dealer that Rickenbacker did not "guarantee" the white would remain "white". I have not seen one other than my own, anywhere (except Rick James & Bee Gees). Is it likely that I have a truly "unique" Ric?
Thanks

4003_Seagreen · Post by **4003_Seagreen** » Thu Jan 25, 2001 1:12 pm

I saw a 4001 for sale in my hometown (San Diego) that was white. It too had turned cream-ivory in color as well.

Bob_Moretti · Post by **Bob_Moretti** » Wed Feb 14, 2001 2:37 pm

Tom,
I bought a 1979 4001 last year that was white in 1979 and mucus in 2000. Had it 100% stripped and re-done in a white polyester lacquer. Very glad I did it; came out beautiful and the polyester will not turn at all. With the black pickguard and logo plate, its an eye catching bass. Looks even better when you put the treble P/U cover back on.
People who know Ricks have commented on it be-
cause there are few true white ones out there.

Bob

4003_Seagreen · Post by **4003_Seagreen** » Wed Feb 14, 2001 2:52 pm

Bob, care to post a pic of your refinshed white Ric? It would be great to check it out! Thanks.

admin · Post by **admin** » Wed Feb 14, 2001 3:19 pm

Thomas: there are a few well-known artists that have played White Rickenbacker Basses of one model or another that you might want to add to your list besides Rick James and Maurice Gibb. These include, in no particular order:
John Entwistle - The Who Jack Duke - Vapors Martin Bland - The Animals John Frankovic - Plasticland Jon Camp - Renaissance Paul Donnelly - My Drug Hell Gail Greenwood - Belly Chris Hillman - The Byrds Lemmy Kilmister - Motorhead Geddy Lee - Rush Randy Meisner - The Eagles Chris Squire - Yes Nicky Wire - Manic Street Preachers Brandon White - Fletcher Pratt Steve Smith - Vapors Fabio Pignatelli - Goblin Dave Meros - Spock's Beard

This list is not complete but I will have to go to the archives to find the others.

JMP · Post by **JMP** » Thu Feb 15, 2001 4:31 pm

Same thing happened to me with my 4001 8-String bass. I put it away for a couple months and it came out of its case a cream yellow. The Ric guy also told me when I bought it that they didn't guarantee that it would stay white. He was right.

While the black hardware and pickguard look nice, I had to custom order mine to get the chrome hardware and white pickguard that I really wanted, I guess the black was standard. I'm glad I did, I really do prefer it, and now that it has yellowed I'd bet the black just wouldn't look all that great, while the chrome/white offsets the cream yellow finish very nicely.

rickengrowl · Post by **rickengrowl** » Sun Dec 30, 2001 12:01 pm

My 4003 is pure white, but I guess the only reason is that it is only 2 1/2 years old... However I guess I'll have it refinished long before it turns to cream...