Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Can't possibly afford it, surely don't need it, but had to get it.

Think a mandolin on steroids.....

I had a hunch this was gonna happen...

An actual 4008...how often do those come up?

You did the right thing.

she's a beauty

badeggs wrote:An actual 4008...how often do those come up?

You did the right thing.

I agree. Congrats and enjoy it, Gareth.

can you wonderous folk explain moi ze difference between 4008 and a 4003/8 ??? inquiring mindless would like to know. like me !

Bassically (ouch), the 4008 was an eight-string version of the 4001, and the 4003S/8 is . . . well, you guessed it, an eight-string version of the 4003S. Supposedly, the strings of the 4008 were set up with the octave string on top (toward the E string), while the 4003S/8 has them on the bottom (toward the G string). The headstock of the 4008 is rather compact, that of the 4003S/8 larger. Don't know about sonic differences.

I sure would love to have one of those!! Amazing!!

but the 4008 in this thread has no binding, therefore a 4003s/8 ? and a 4008 would have binding or no binding ? that would be a 4001s/8 in actuality.

Who in their right mind would sell a bass like that?!!!

The 4008 is really an interesting hybrid - dot neck markers but with binding on the neck; unbound S-body but with Rick-O-Sound! The 4003S/8 is basically a 4003S with 8 strings - unbound body, unbound neck, dot markers and mono out. The headstocks of the 4008 and 4003S/8 are shaped a bit differently - can't comment on size, since I've never had them next to each other. As mentioned, the 4008 has the octave string "on top" (which I greatly prefer) and the 4003S/8 has it on the bottom.

Also, according to the Bass Models article at the Rickenbacker Register Page, the 4008 was in production from '75-'83, while the 4003S/8 was from '87 until early 2000s.

I don't care about binding/no binding, headstock size, S/no S, all I know is that is quite lovely and I need me one of those.

Nice score!

Great looking 4008 with an excellent FG hue. I loved the s8 that I had but, ultimately, I decided that I didn't have much use for it. It sounded fantastic and added a whole new dimension to bass lines. Lots-o-fun but sort of a novelty for me......not in a bad way but I just don't need one in my arsenal.

Don't forget to take it easy until your fingers are used to the cheese grater effect......

my producer on our albums, andy johns, had a jetglo 4003s/8 in the studio while we were recording. i showed it to gene simmons (kiss were recording in the next room while eric carr was in the hospital with cancer) he blew it off stating the virtues of 4 strings, blah, blah ! so i jumped around him playing "duece" on the 8 string to drive home the point of a fuller sound a la cheap trick ! he walked away shaking his head .

the 4003s/8 had a smaller headstock than the cricket bats i've seen on this forum, with the keys sandwiched very close, but it was neck heavy. the side of the unbound fretboard had black dots on the surface and black side dots. all hardware was chrome with a black pickguard and trc.

it was nice but very heavy...as heavy as my ibanez mc980 neck thru 8 string.

gareth wrote:Can't possibly afford it, surely don't need it, but had to get it.

4008_3.jpg

As would most of us. Congrats.

I'd like to see/hear a Rick 12-string (no, not the fish drawing, please!). The (sub)octave pedal I got from Noel can do 2 down and it is a very interesting tone.

Congrats Gareth!