Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

This week, let's discuss and post pix of the second 4003SPC, the "Tuxedo." Perhaps too many out there consider the typical White 4003, 4003S, 4003S5 or 4003S5 with black trim to be a "tuxedo," but no, the REAL Tuxedo is this special four-stringer, identified by its white-painted maple fretboard with tiny "microdot" position markers. Like the Redneck, it has black hardware and plastic, mono outlet (only), and no binding. Of the three SPC models (Redneck, Tuxedo, and Blackstar), the Tux is the only one to have production guitars in the same color scheme. I'm not up on my guitars, but I recall seeing several photos of 360 six-stringers with the Tuxedo outfit. There's been a sighting of a leftie Tuxedo bass out there, but no eight-stringers like the Redneck includes.

For starters, here's Ted Staberow's Tux as it appeared at the first "official" confluence in Columbus, Ohio, in May 2005:

I love these basses! My first Ric was white with black plastic, and I've had a thing for them ever since. Add to that that the Tux comes from my favorite era of Rics (late 80s/early 90s) with the fat horns and slim necks. And it's an S!

Mine has yellowed somewhat as white will do. It has the same bright sound the other microdot 4003s have. I bought it on Ebay a few years ago and the seller shipped it to me in just the unlocked case - no box! When it arrived there was a FedEx label stuck right on the case just above a muddy boot print! I'm not making this up. The only thing that kept it in the case were the case latches. I contacted the seller and expressed my displeasure and he insisted that it left him in a box. Right!

She is a great bass.

rickfan60 wrote: I bought it on Ebay a few years ago and the seller shipped it to me in just the unlocked case - no box! When it arrived there was a FedEx label stuck right on the case just above a muddy boot print! I'm not making this up. The only thing that kept it in the case were the case latches. I contacted the seller and expressed my displeasure and he insisted that it left him in a box. Right!

What a tool!

The keyboard player in my band just sold a Fender Jazz Bass on eBay. He was also planning to ship it without a box. He's not a bass player and didn't want to be bothered with the thing. I told him how irritated I would be if I bought a bass on eBay and thing was shipped without a box. After a while of me badgering him, he agreed. I had a box that fit and I gave it to him.

But really...How hard is it?!

rickaddict wrote: But really...How hard is it?!

Sometimes the logic, or complete lack of, with some people is truly mind boggling!

rickenbrother wrote:

rickaddict wrote: But really...How hard is it?!

Sometimes the logic, or complete lack of, with some people is truly mind boggling!

Yup, it's staggering to view the great unwashed at times....

I received a bass once from ebay and I was truly surprised when the Fedex truck pulled up and the driver reached in the back and out comes my bass in nothing but the case.
However it did have some packing tape wrapped around the case on both ends. Some people just don't have a clue!

How my eBay Kubicki arrived:

My Tux came packed much better:

m5yates wrote:How my eBay Kubicki arrived:

It looked just like that except for the plastic wrap and it had a muddy boot print right in the middle.

sweet basses !