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My New Purple 4004Cii

Posted: Sat Feb 19, 2011 12:18 pm
by superdick2112
No, there's nothing wrong with your computer monitors - this beastie is indeed purple.
It is a late '08 model, built shortly after my first Mapleglo Cii (which was the first-ever Cii built with a 2-piece flame maple neck & the new UV-cured finish). My local dealer had this one hanging on the wall in a place near the front door/display window, but situated so that it was not easily seen - apparently I've passed it a dozen times without even noticing it. The offical finish designation is Trans Blue, but according to the salesman, it faded into the purple color seen here after a few months of window light exposure, so they removed it from their web page.
I was at the shop a month ago to pick up my new 4001C64 when it caught my eye. I asked the salesman "What's the story on the purple Ric?", and after giving me the lowdown, he said he would cut me a great deal on it because of the faded finish. It was all I could do to keep a straight face - I would have gladly paid full price for what I thought was one of the prettiest 4004Ciis I'd ever seen, but I ended up grabbing it for hundreds less than my Mapleglo. :D
The action was very high, so I removed the spacer plate from under the bridge, gave the rods a minor tweaking, threw on a fresh set of strings, and now she plays even better than my Mapleglo. The pictures don't do it justice - it's a very hard color to photograph, but I'll show the shots that best represent the true color.

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Re: My New Purple 4004Cii

Posted: Sat Feb 19, 2011 12:23 pm
by cassius987
You got this at Wildwood right? I played it for thirty minutes last year. Back then they would not admit it was purple, probably because of what you mention about the seller calling the finish faded. I guess the really story is that it's trans blue with a tinted upper coat that makes it look purple--or that's my best guess on it.

I have to admit I wasn't a big fan of it! The only 4004 I absolutely knew I didn't want to buy after playing it. It's something about they profiled the neck on this one. It's not a "4003 neck" as the newest two-piece 4004s are. But it was setup quite nicely and sounded good and I hope you really enjoy it for a good long time.

EDIT: Here are the pics I took on my iPhone 3G (not the best camera, sorry) when I ran into this beast.
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Re: My New Purple 4004Cii

Posted: Sat Feb 19, 2011 12:25 pm
by rickenbrother
:shock: :shock: WOW!

Very pretty, congrats and enjoy it! I'm assuming a variation on trans blue that turned purple? Whatever the case you have a rare one. Play the heck out of it!
Post even more pictures! :) 8)

Re: My New Purple 4004Cii

Posted: Sat Feb 19, 2011 12:54 pm
by fretless
It's Awesome ! HNBD !

Re: My New Purple 4004Cii

Posted: Sat Feb 19, 2011 12:56 pm
by superdick2112
cassius987 wrote:You got this at Wildwood right?
I have to admit I wasn't a big fan of it! The only 4004 I absolutely knew I didn't want to buy after playing it. It's something about they profiled the neck on this one. It's not a "4003 neck" as the newest two-piece 4004s are.
You are correct neighbor, is is from Wildwood. As for the neck profile, if you didn't like this one, you'd really hate the neck on my Mapleglo Cii - its about 1/16" wider and thicker than the Purple Beastie's neck. As for myself, I love the old 4004 necks - the beefy profile fits my mitt nicely, but it is weird going between my C64 and this - two very different neck profiles.

Re: My New Purple 4004Cii

Posted: Sat Feb 19, 2011 1:18 pm
by winston
That's a beautiful bass Richard. Enjoy! :D

Re: My New Purple 4004Cii

Posted: Sat Feb 19, 2011 1:24 pm
by jps
Very cool! Now, don't everyone with a TB 4004 give them a suntan.

Re: My New Purple 4004Cii

Posted: Sat Feb 19, 2011 1:57 pm
by T.A.R.
Wow that's eye catching, Beautiful !

Re: My New Purple 4004Cii

Posted: Sat Feb 19, 2011 2:11 pm
by ram
Richard, wow that is cool looking!! Congratulations!!!

Re: My New Purple 4004Cii

Posted: Sat Feb 19, 2011 2:16 pm
by scotty
ram wrote:Richard, wow that is cool looking!! Congratulations!!!
+1 looks great 8)

Re: My New Purple 4004Cii

Posted: Sat Feb 19, 2011 2:54 pm
by henry5
Gorgeous. I've often fancied a trans-purple 4001 refin if I could find some nice enough flame and now I can see pretty much what it would look like. The flame on that neck is glorious BTW.

Re: My New Purple 4004Cii

Posted: Sat Feb 19, 2011 3:40 pm
by s4001
Amazing it turned purple. Quite a looker!

Re: My New Purple 4004Cii

Posted: Sat Feb 19, 2011 3:50 pm
by ricmic
Congrats Richard on a great looking bass. If it plays like it looks, you've got a real keeper there. Mark

Re: My New Purple 4004Cii

Posted: Sat Feb 19, 2011 5:05 pm
by robj
Wow, very cool!

<note to self re: my TB 4004Cii; do not leave in the sun and slather down with sun block before out door gigs>

Re: My New Purple 4004Cii

Posted: Sat Feb 19, 2011 7:24 pm
by cheyenne
Is it really faded? Wasnt there a few purplish guitars that got out a few years ago?? Maybe this was a bass out of the same batch?