Rickenbacker Forum, Amplifier, Bass and Guitar Register
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In 2007 Chris Squire from the band YES commissioned 6 Rickenbacker 4003 Specials to be constructed. They were then shipped from the US sent to the UK's famous painter to the stars Paul Karslake for a special Airbrush finish on the front which was carried out in 2010. Chris collected only three of the six. This is the second only ever produced of the blue version. Brand new and unplayed. A true gem with Rickenbacker's maker's initials in the neck pocket and Paul's own words and signature and dated below. In the control pocket reads the model name & number as well as the serial number.
Paul's unique style of painting has earned him accolade over the years and his fascination with pop and cultural icons including many paintings of Ronnie Wood, Keith Richards and the Stones are fabulous. He has painted - airbrushed many of Keith and Ronnies guitars which they have used on stage ( please see Paul's website 'Paulkarslake ' for details and pictures)
Chris Squire's unique style of playing and sound means his work on the bass for YES and his own projects have put him amoungst a unique small group of players of the Rickenbacker bass including Paul McCartney.
The 4003 Special has a specially prepared fingerboard , a factory installed "Toaster " neck pickup and a 4001 type "Horseshoe Magnet" bridge pickup, this is a one off configuration that Rickenbacker did for Chris never offered before on any 4003 bass with this pickup configuration, ( N.B. The only previous examples of these vintage reissue pickups being factory installed are on 40001V63,4001V64 and on 4001 Chris Squire models), and logo on headstock and a satin natural finish throughout except for the gloss front colour of Paul's painting which is a subtle shade of blue burst. A one-off chance to own one of only six ( Chris has three ) , in the World - this new instrument made for one of the greats.
The guitar will come professionaly set up (please note the bass will be in a new gig bag as supplied to me from Paul). If a reissue or new Rickenbacker bass case is required by the new owner I am happy to aquire and charge at cost price & ship at no extra charge to the UK mainland but overseas will be probably slightly more because of the increase in weight . Please contact me if you require additional quotes for this.
The Classic Rickenbacker bass - famous for its ringing sustain, treble punch and solid underlying bass. A subtle strip of binding graces the elegantly curved body and the Rosewood fingerboard. Deluxe triangular inlays and stereo capability are standard features.
Specifications
Body Type Solid
No. Frets 20
Scale Length 84.5 cm (33 1/4'')
Neck Width at Nut 42.9 mm (1 11/16'')
Neck Width at 12th Fret 54.0 mm (2 1/8'')
Crown Radius 25.4 cm (10'')
Body Wood Maple
Neck Wood Maple
Fingerboard Wood Rosewood
Weight 4.1 kg (9.0 lbs.)
Overall Length 113.8 cm (44 13/16'')
Overall Width 34.3 cm (13 1/2'')
Overall Depth 31.8 mm (1 1/4'')
Neck Binding Yes
Fret Marker Style Triangle
Tailpiece RIC
Bridge RIC
Neck Type Through body
No. of Pickups 2
Type of Pickups Single Coil
Output Type Mono and Stereo
Machine Heads Schaller Deluxe
Tom, David wouldn't have been able to view the thread as a new member with less than 30 posts. I had the same problem with the "yellow" model that was first listed.gearhed289 wrote:There's a whole thread about those basses here.
viewtopic.php?f=68&t=396920&hilit=chris+squire+ebay
Indubitably!teeder wrote:That's an understatement!
Only 6 more posts to go!dricard wrote:yeah, can';t access.
Real or not, it's ugly!
Here's what John Hall said in the other thread (for those who can't access it yet:dricard wrote:yeah, can';t access.
Real or not, it's ugly!
johnhall wrote:I'm not going to go into specifics but this was a deal that Chris was working on privately as a promotional venture for his record label, not related to us, other than the fact that we supplied the components. Unfortunately there is some economic difference of opinion between Chris, the guitar painter, and the assembly shop which has led to this auction
There is also some question as to the legality or at least the ethical aspects of this sale. It's also been suggested the one bid currently listed is, in fact, a shill bid.