Hi I'm new-'88 4003 Ric questions...maple glo-black hardware

rokkitt · Post by **rokkitt** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 6:29 pm

Hi,

boy I love bass!

my first experience with a bass was back in 1981/82, and it was a maple glo Rickenbacker......

Since then, I have always wanted one, and have had many basses, but not a Ric

but now,

I have a chance to get a maple glo 1980's ric, BUT it has BLACK HARDWARE......

was this a special model?

was it a custom order, or is it just an "option"

this is a players bass, and is not perfect, the pickguard is broken and one spot (how much are they to replace)

and, how can I tell if it is a 4001 or a 4003, and do I care?

here is the serial number, I have been told it dates to Feb 88, and the serial number is B1 9586

so, any advice>? want to make sure it is a good choice, (not a fake, any way to spot that?)

and someone sanded down part of the horn, the upper horn, with the point, they sanded off the pointy part. dont know why, pretty dumb, but, hey for a player, I guess it is ok.....not perfect.....but the price is right .....

ONE LAST THING< any other resources online, besides this and the rickenbacker forum, to do some research? Thanks!

So, that is my story! Glad to be here, and if this ric is not the one, I will get one pretty soon, I am getting itchy!

Big Al

aka

Rokkitt

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 6:40 pm

Welcome Big Al!

Mapleglo came standard with Black Trim throughout the mid-to-late 80's.

A new pickguard should run you around $40.

Made in 1988 makes it a 4003.

I doubt that it's a faker based on your description, but posting a photo or two wouldn't hurt.

The upper horn sanding sounds like someone's attempt at a Paul McCartney-esque modification.

wints · Post by **wints** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 8:04 pm

would you but a ric with the point on the upper horn sanded away.....

Yup, over 25 years ago, and still patting myself on the back for it...

ram · Post by **ram** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 10:05 pm

Hi Big Al, welcome to the forum - what John said - picture please.

rokkitt · Post by **rokkitt** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 10:40 pm

yah, sorry, I know about the pics.....

i usually post those first! sorry about my bad forum manners, but had to run some errands....the honey do list, yah know!

the problems are_____________

***sanded horn
***straplock button
***broken guard

all in all, not that bad, right?

here are a few....the more I look , the more I like, but but but but

I might hafta change out the black stuff for chrome! hahhahahaha (prolly about $400 to do that, keys, toaster cover, guard,bridge---am I missing anything? might leave it black! )

cuz the first one I had my hands on was chrome hardware....

ANYONE, know what year those were? 70's rics, I guess........

here are the pics.......

IS THE BINDING supposed to be missing where the bridge is?

rokkitt · Post by **rokkitt** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 12:02 am

So........

Is it just another 88 maple glo 4003?

Is there anything special about the bass?

Besides that it's a Rickenbacker...........

does the serial number check and where would I look to verify that?

any special areas I should look for on the bass to be careful of before I buy?
Thanks!

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 12:07 am

Nothing particularly special about it, other than the fact that it IS a Rickenbacker! It's an '88 4003 MG/BT. Serial number works out to February '88. The lack of binding behind the tailpiece is correct. The horn doesn't even look too bad from what I can see.

rokkitt · Post by **rokkitt** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 12:43 am

ok, thanks for the info!

really, this is not my favorite color combo, but I am sure I will fall in love!

I will keep you guys and gals posted, if I pull the trigger.....

any other advice or thoughts would be very much appreciatted......

rokkitt

jakeox · Post by **jakeox** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 9:07 am

Looks like some cool grain on the maple. Pretty minor issues, all fixable -- if the price is right, go for it! I think the black hardware looks great with the black binding, but if you do decide to switch it out, I can trade you most of the chrome parts.

rikk · Post by **rikk** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 12:20 pm

That first shot looks as if it's floating just below the ceiling. I never saw a shot quite like it.

And Welcome to the forum!!!!

johnallg · Post by **johnallg** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 6:32 pm

You could recover most or all of the cost of chrome parts by selling the black hardware, or do a trade as Jake offered, and no cost. The black bridge pickup cover is rare.

Changing out the hardware to chrome might look odd with the black binding. I have a '91 4003S MG/BT (no binding on body or neck) and though not at first enamored of it, the combo will grow on you.

Welcome aboard, too.

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