Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

It's 1986, another year of innovation for RIC basses. Somewhere in '86-'87, RIC introduced the five-string variant of the 4003S with the typical dot position markers and no binding. A new headstock shape was created, allowing three modern Schaller tuners on the "top" side, and two on the "bottom" side of the head. The tailpiece was also modified with the "teeth" over the mute removed. Obviously, the nut was cut to allow the addition of a low B string, and I believe the neck and fretboard were cut just a tad wider to ease fingering. Also, a five-pole high-gain pickup was placed in the treble postion, with a Toaster at the bass position. Don't know offhand if they were equipped with the Rick-O-Sound output.

So let's discuss and post pictures of the first Rick 5-bangers!

Three lefties...

Here's some pics of my 1989 Ruby 4003S/5. Sadly, it's the only Ruby 4003S/5 that I know of:

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

http://rickresource.com/register/viewit ... ine%3Dtrue

Good news for owners of the 4003S/5 (and bad news for those who want one)---This one recently sold on eBay for (what I believe is a record high price of) $3900.00:

http://cgi.ebay.com/5-String-Rickenback ... 240%3A1318

Here's mine, the pic was taken by Mike Parks, from whom I purchased the bass. It has a mono output.

Here's my go-to 5 string, my 2000 4003S/5 MID:

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

http://rickresource.com/register/viewit ... ine%3Dtrue

Cool Jetglo, Stanley!

Both of mine are mono only. I've never seen an S/5 with a stereo output.

Scott Newkirk's prototype 4003/5 has a Ric-O-Sound jack, but that's not an S/5!

Da Blue Beast

Interesting how MID changed between the time Da Blue Beast was made, and March of 2000 when my 4003S/5 MID was made: http://rickresource.com/register/user_i ... llsize.jpg

Bill Henshell also has a 4003S/5 MID that we compared at the Milwaukee confluence. His was the same shade as yours, Joey. I don't know how to describe the difference.

Da Blue Beast might have a bit more purple in it or something.

Cool thread. Since the S/5 is a 5 string variant of the "S" there is just mono output on S/5's.

Fun game: Count the S's and 5's in this post!!!

Okay, maybe not so fun. Remember, I'm a numbers guy.

jdogric12aolcom wrote:Cool thread. Since the S/5 is a 5 string variant of the "S" there is just mono output on S/5's.

Fun game: Count the S's and 5's in this post!!!

Okay, maybe not so fun. Remember, I'm a numbers guy.

Hmm, I think I'll let you do the counting then...

Let us know the answer!


(It is a cool thread however!)

I own two 5ers, one from the first year of production ('86) and one from the last. My '86 was formerly owned by the bass player from The Killer Dwarfs", Ronbo. It came to me in awful shape. The body lams separated near the neck pickup allowing the neck to angle forward. Needless to say the action really sucked. The finish (white) was in really bad shape so I removed the body wings and reglued them with longer pins. After a fingerboard leveling and a refret it plays great again. I also added a lovely set of walnut head wings while I was at it. Someday it may get a Squire-like finish. Right now it is sitting in its case waiting for me to complete the mechanical work. It will probably take a trip out west at some point to get fresh paint.....

Here's mine in Turquoise:

Here's the only pic I could find of mine.

libratune wrote:Here's mine in Turquoise: