Early 4003 On E-Bay?

[spongebob]

Spotted this doing my regular Ric-search on the 'bay -

Item number: 260412126874

December 1979 4003? Genuine? Must be one of the first if it is?

[FretlessOnly]

Sure looks good to me. But I didn't realize any had been made prior to '80.

[johnallg]

With Ricks, never say never.

[cjj]

Yeah, Dec '79 is close enough to 1980 to work. I'm sure that even though 1980 may be the official first year for 4003's, they probably started production a bit before that. With an "SL" serial number, it's Dec '79, unless it was replaced, which is unlikely. Looking at everything else, other than the bridge/tailpiece, everything else looks like an early 4003. Walnut was certainly available at this time as well. The price seems a bit steep though, at least for U.S. prices, but being in the U.K., it might not be so bad...

[cjj]

Interesting, I looked the serial number up in the register. This bass was added as a collected item back in January and it says it's a Fireglo, not Walnut. Probably just a mistake as opposed to a refin or such, there aren't any pictures in the register entry.

[spongebob]

The e-bay shop normally has a few goodies on there.

I exchanged e-mails with them a few months back about another one. I've no idea where he gets them all, but his prices are always quite steep, even for here in Ric rip-off land!