Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I've owned three 4001 basses,all from 1977. I loved the sound but hated the binding. Had a V63 but could not live with the horseshoe and thought it was just not right to alter it. Sold them all .My 4004Cii 4-2-5 is excellent but I would still like to have a skinny neck RIC with singlecoils with no binding . So my question is .....What is the difference between the 4001S and 4003S models ?

Other than the trus rods being different...most 4001 S basses had a set neck as apposed to neck through construction.
I believe those are the only differences IIRC.

ben_brown wrote:Other than the trus rods being different...most 4001 S basses had a set neck as apposed to neck through construction.
I believe those are the only differences IIRC.

Well, there are a few other minor differences depending on what year 4003S we're talking about (and what year 4001S we're talking about for that matter).

Here are a few more differences I can think of off-hand between my '87 4003S's and a late 70's 4001S:

1) 7-screw tail piece will NEVER lift.
2) Modern truss rods (supposed to be on all Ricks made after Sept 1984, but I've seen split pick guards as late as 1986) mean that you can use just about any string you want. Adjusting them is simple and effective.
3) Chrome Schaller tuners are smoother than the nickel late 70's 4001 tuners. They also don't tarnish (as easily), turn the right way, and the post screw won't rattle out.
4) Tone. Sometime in the mid 80's RIC stopped using the bass-cut capacitor. But something else is going on there that I haven't quite figured out yet. My '87 4003's sound fuller than my (cap bypassed) late 70's 4001's. I don't know if it's the 7-screw tail, hotter pickups, heavier strings, or the big orange Sprague capacitors (as opposed to the yellow "Made in Taiwan" caps from the late 70's), but I'm convinced that my '87 4003S's are my best sounding Ricks. I prefer them over my '03 4001C64S, my '98 4001V63, and my '92 4001V63 (which lack the high end of the '87 4003S's), all my late 70's 4001's (which lack the lows and mids of the '87 4003S's), and my '94 4003S (which lacks the high end of the '87's and is also hotter and more growly).

It's the plain Jane model that usually gets overlooked for not having a horseshoe and toaster, or triangles and binding...but it's my fave! Very comfortable body, small neck, outstanding tone. My '87's are my go-to basses.

Here's a pic of my Aug '87 4003S MG for your amusement. Click your mouse on the pic for the full-sized version!

http://rickresource.com/register/user_i ... llsize.jpg

Excellent info Jeff . That's what I was looking for . Sounds like your 87 is a Beauty !

As is my '89........
http://www.rickresource.com/register/us ... llsize.jpg

Outstanding Steve ! That is exactly what I will buy when I have the $$$$ and one shows up . Tempted to sell my 64 F***er P.

Why not have a luthier mod a 4003 with binding into a 4003S without binding?

Josh, unless you go with a solid color, it will show. Besides, there are enough S basses out there that they come up on a regular bass-is. (pun intended)

What's a 64 F***der P?

1964 Fender Precision, most likely.

leftyguitars wrote:What's a 64 F***der P?

Funny man . Can we say FENDER here ?

Tim Sarter is selling a white/BT 4003S on eBay - I think I've seen it before:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Rickenbacker-4003-S ... dZViewItem

VRICKY63 wrote:

leftyguitars wrote:What's a 64 F***der P?

Funny man . Can we say FENDER here ?

Uh-oh - He used the 'F' word.

That 4003S is about perfect for me . Must go rob/steal some money

They are sweet basses for sure Rick. The one Ian mentioned that I'm selling on E-bay is set with no reserve. In this economy you may not have to steal too much money to score it!

- Tim