Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hi,
I know this isn't either but it has characteristics of both...Does anybody know what it's called?
1986..I think 4003 but that is a guess?
It is an unbound dot marker neck...Mono Output...JET BLACK including pickguard and headstock logo..knobs are chrome and black....
Just trying to figure what you call this thing..kind of like the Reds and blues of this era, but most of these basses I have seen have stereo outs and shark fins...
thanks
Kendall
Sacramento, CA

Welcome Kendall. It sounds like a 4003S with black hardware to me.

The Shadow has checker binding and black dot markers. The Blackstar has a black-painted fretboard. Those are the most obvious "field marks." Below is one of each. If yours has no binding and a standard bubinga fretboard with pearl/white position markers, then it is a 4003S with black trim (BT).

Paul, that Blackstar looks phenomenal.

Welcome to the forum, Kendall.

Joey has an blacked out S model. At least I seem to recall the hardware is black, but I may be wrong. Killer combination though.

s4001 wrote:Joey has an blacked out S model. At least I seem to recall the hardware is black, but I may be wrong. Killer combination though.

The hardware is chrome. Sometimes I wish I could find a black treble pickup surround for it. Although, if I had a black treble pickup cover on it, it sort of be like a reverse Blackstar.

Hey Guys, thanks for all the response and info..
First the bass pic posted here that is my bass!...Well it looks identical anyway..
What model is that and how rare are they?

Now, I have to admit I am kinda a Fender Jazz guy for a number of years and I got to be that cause of my old Rick slinging hero Geddy (I even have a tat of a 70s Jazz headstock on my arm)...But really they are a bit more comfortable for me still, but I have to admit, the Ricks just look way cooler..

But this Black Rick I just bought amazing look..I just gotta find a way to bring this thing to my gigging life. I just sold a '74 wine Rick with the Red Dot Side markers...I had it for a number of years and it had the Geddy Badass II mod so it was pretty sweet..I had to let it go super cheap cause it had upper neck damage in past, but it was solid! Did not affect play in anyway and it was a 10 year old crack....anyway then this thing fell into my lap...So I just sold my last Rick and now I got another....hmmmm...thanks
Kendall

Kendall, without pics, we'd need some details.

Does yours have black dot markers on the neck? Does it have any binding on it? Does it have Rick O Sound (two input jacks)?

Is the TRC (Truss Rod Cover) black or white? Is the bridge blackened or chrome? What color is the pickguard? I assume black pickguard due to your comparison with Joey's 4003S but just asking for certainty.

Also, is the fretboard black or is it wood finish? Are the tuners black or chrome?

Also, you can find out the year by going to Rick Serial Number Decoder, and plug in your number.

There are variables to these questions and depending on your answers, it could be one of a few different models.

And congratulations on your new acquisition.

Tarrbot wrote: I assume black pickguard due to your comparison with Joey's 4003S but just asking for certainty.

The one in the picture above is a 4001S and it has a set neck.

rickenbrother wrote:

Tarrbot wrote: I assume black pickguard due to your comparison with Joey's 4003S but just asking for certainty.

The one in the picture above is a 4001S and it has a set neck.

Sorry Joey.

I sometimes forget that there were set necks.

I'll be sure to use my x-ray goggles on pics from now on. Had I done that I could've seen the set neck.

Joey: Can you comment on the difference in tone, if any, between the set and neck through models of the 4001?

Scott: I could have made the same mistake with someone else's bass had I not seen the set neck.

Peter: There really isn't too much difference between the sound my set neck and neck-thru 4001 basses. The 4001S is very bright, even with old, dead tired strings. It definitely sounds like a Rick and has plenty of sustain. It also plays like butter. One of these days I'll post a few sound clips of it that I have and let the 4001S do the talking.

Not that I should mind but is there much difference--if at all--between a 4001 and a 4003, whether it's an S or not?

I can understand differences due to pickups but as far as tone from the wood, I'm curious about that.

I know sometimes I get excited about other manufacturers' basses at times but then I get home, plug in and then just kind of smile knowingly.

rickenbrother wrote:Scott: I could have made the same mistake with someone else's bass had I not seen the set neck.

Peter: There really isn't too much difference between the sound my set neck and neck-thru 4001 basses. The 4001S is very bright, even with old, dead tired strings. It definitely sounds like a Rick and has plenty of sustain. It also plays like butter. One of these days I'll post a few sound clips of it that I have and let the 4001S do the talking.

It does seem your bass has a very snappy tone. Snarl for days.