Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

So i just looked up the Bass I recently acquired from ebay in the Forumn registry. Lefty 4001s from 1982. Under the Special tab it's listed as a B Series? Anyone know what that stands for?

Ah, the mysterious B series. Well, it may not be a B series, though. Technically, it should be the 4003SB, so if your's has the set neck with the shedua strip, it is not a 4003SB. The 4001S series (along with the common chassis 4000) from around 1972 to the end of production in the early 1980s had a set neck with the shedua strip (skunk stripe).

A true 4003SB should not have the shedua strip, should be neck-through construction, and have a Toaster pickup in the neck position. It appears there were few made, so it is hard to tell about some other features, but they one I feature in my upcoming book has Rick-O-Sound, the Toaster pickup in the 1" position, and has closed-back Grover tuners.

Oh, and don't let the old magazine ad announcing the B series fool you. The picture showed a leftie 4001S sitting in. It was not a 4003SB.

What features does yours have?

Mine is a Set neck. Shuda strip on the neck only. Toaster Pickup and Grover tuners. Mono. If you search Serial # VF1576 in the registry there are pics. In there it says its a 4003 B series. But I believe its a 4001. Thats what the owner said. Because of the set neck

Right, then it is NOT a B series and should not be designated so.

Thanks. See, this is why we need your book!