Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Back in April the Ric Outlet sold a really cool 4003. Was a mapleglow with BT and checkerboard binding. Think the back was walnut too.

Two questions about it. I'd like to see it again. Does anyone have photos they can post or send me? Secondly, did anyone that frequents these parts buy it? I'd like to hear how it is working out.

Thanks,

Tim

Yessir its here!

it belongs to a forum member who's name escapes me at the moment.

CJ owns it. He likely has several pics by now and is sure to post a few.

The thing that struck me about this bass is the neck construction--I love it.

Hmm, let's see... I seem to recall something about that bass... Ah yes, it did have a walnut back, and, if I recall correctly, some rather nice flamed maple on the front too...

Where's the CJ playing this 4003 pic?

What, you mean this one?

You forgot the walnut.

s4001 wrote:You forgot the walnut.

OK...

That is one beautiful bass. I remember seeing it on auction, but don't remember the history.

CJ - did Kenny or anyone at Ric give you any details as to why they made that one-off model? I want to believe it was made for someone famous and they passed on it so, instead of putting it in the museum, Ric decided to auction it off.

No, I didn't get any info on why they made it. I didn't ask either. But, I rather doubt it was made for someone famous. RIC comes out with these one off instruments from time to time (there's one on ebay right now: 4001C64S Black Blueburst), mostly with custom paint jobs, but occasionally with different/special wood. My guess is that it's a take-off on the 4004Cii with a full walnut back instead of a "sandwich". I suppose one of these days I'll have to ask Mr. Hall about it...

DRAT & DOUBLE CURSES!!!

cjj wrote: But, I rather doubt it was made for someone famous.

I really didn't think it was. But it's ok to fantasize, right?

But now CJ is famous as the guy that owns it!

That's the one, CJ. After posting last night I actually found the original thread that discussed it and found you bought it.

Beautiful bass for sure. I'd be interested in hearing how it sounds. My personal experience with all the Rics I have owned is they vary A LOT as far as their tone and feel. Try as I might, I'm yet to find one that sounds like my '86 Ruby BT 4003.

How is this one? It's such a stunner it might be hard to judge it objectively, but I'd like to know what you think.

- Tim

I actually can't comment much on how it sounds. I haven't done anything more than play it through my Vox Amplug Bass headphone amp, which I've decided is OK, but really doesn't give a good idea of how things really sound . For instance, I can't really tell much difference between my '76 4001 with D'A Chromes flats and my '84 4003 with Rotos.

Anyway, the reason I haven't hooked it up to a real amp is that, during winter, my music room is too hard to keep warm enough so I close it off and let it freeze. Now that it's warm enough, well, we've sold the ranch and are getting ready to move, so I haven't bothered to get everything out and set it all up since I'd just have to pack it all up again anyway.

About the only thing I can say is that it has a really nice neck, not a lot different from my '76 4001. The tone/etc. seems pretty nice, but like I said, it's hard to tell with headphones and an amplug...