Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Not having one in hand to measure, can anyone tell me if the width of the neck at the nut and at the 12th fret was the same on the five-string 4003S/5 and the four-string 4003/4003S??? Inquiring minds, etc. TIA!

I think they varied ever so slightly. I just measured Da Blue Beast S/5. I get 1 23/32' at the nut, which is just 1/32" more than than the measurement spec for the width at the nut, on the RIC site for a 4003. Though I get a measurement of 2 1/8" at the 12th fret, just as the spec states for a 4003 on the RIC site. So I'd say they were the same.

The S5 that I had was definately wider than a 4003 of the same vintage.....

Eden.

Too bad I didn't see this earlier. Brian brought his DG 4003S/5 by today for a visit. I sure he could measure his for you.
I sent him a PM.

I can check in the morning and let you know. Glad to help!

And looks like you posted that when we were talking and playing around with the bass.

Sorry I didn't get a chance today. Too many projects and graduation parties. I will on Sunday for sure.

Ok, the day finally settled down and I found my digital caliper.

I am measuring 44.67 mm just below the nut (measuring where a zero fret would be if this bass had one).

And I am measuring 55.47 mm at the 12th fret.

This is on Rick 02 06569

Let me know if this is what you need or if you need anything more information about it.

Um, OK. Do you have a standard 4003 or 4003S to measure also? I guess I could measure one of mine with a mm ruler, but it wouldn't be as precise as the hundredth of a millimeter as you have measured.

The S/5 measured in my first post of the thread is from '97. With the hand sanding process, there's going to be some minor differences.

bassduke49 wrote:Um, OK. Do you have a standard 4003 or 4003S to measure also? I guess I could measure one of mine with a mm ruler, but it wouldn't be as precise as the hundredth of a millimeter as you have measured.

Thought you were looking for precision! I can measure with a ruler also. But I don't have a standard 4003 to measure here.
Do you want a ruler measure of it?

harrek wrote:44.67 mm just below the nut (measuring where a zero fret would be if this bass had one).

1.759 inches (compare to 1.688 inches)

harrek wrote:And I am measuring 55.47 mm at the 12th fret.

2.184 inches (compare to 2.125 inches)


...Clearly a bit wider than a to-spec 4-string. But Joey is right that there can always be some variance: my 1976 4001FL and 2010 4003 are only 1.625 inches at the nut, and my friend's 2007 4003 is 1.75 inches at the nut.

For those who don't know here is an easy program to convert the numbers. It is a free download. I have used this progam for years at home and at work. Yea I know work ia a four letter word.

ken_j wrote:For those who don't know here is an easy program to convert the numbers. It is a free download. I have used this progam for years at home and at work. Yea I know work ia a four letter word.

+1 on Josh Madison's Convert - I've been using it for years too!

Google will also quickly and easily convert the numbers for you.

I know how to convert. I'm just trying to get a consensus on whether the 4003S/5 neck was created a bit larger than the standard or not. So far, the measurements posted indicate that they could have been, but not by much. Numbers seem to fall within the "margin of hand manufacturing" so not too clear cut yet.