Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hi Guys,

I have recently found a 4001s with a nice FG finish here in Europe.
The seller is telling me the bass dates from 1992, as confirmed by the serial number.

I am a bit confused here, as I thought the production of those 4001s was over by the mid 80's.
Is it possible that the seller is actually selling a 4003s instead of a 4001s. If not what are the differences between 4001s and 4003s?

Thanks in advance for sharing your knowledge on those points.

quick way to tell is 4001s=skunk stripe, 4003s=no skunk stripe.

Another way to tell:
4001S post-71: set neck
4003S: neck-through

Ok thanks,

but I have seen in the galery that some 4001s form the early 90's have been listed:

http://www.rickresource.com/register/ga ... 93&month=0

These bass have no skunk stripe, doe it means thaey are actually 4003s?
it is so confusing, ...

pbert wrote:Ok thanks,

but I have seen in the galery that some 4001s form the early 90's have been listed:

http://www.rickresource.com/register/ga ... 93&month=0

These bass have no skunk stripe, doe it means thaey are actually 4003s?
it is so confusing, ...

Those from the early 90's should have been listed as 4003S.

here are some pict of the bass:


http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar ... /Front.jpg

http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar ... s/back.jpg

thanks for all the replies guys,

4003s, and a nice one at that

Oh, VERY sweet! Go for it!

Yeah.....that is a 4003s model. NICE looking bass too.


Lefty4003s8











Do not drink from the toilet when taking Lyrica

That is a beauty! I had a '92 V63 that was real sweet,but didn't keep it.

Yup 4003S. What a beauty!! You gotta get this one!

pbert wrote:Ok thanks,

but I have seen in the galery that some 4001s form the early 90's have been listed:

http://www.rickresource.com/register/ga ... 93&month=0

These bass have no skunk stripe, doe it means thaey are actually 4003s?
it is so confusing, ...

Yes, should be listed as 4003S. This is one example of a weakness in the Register that I hope to be able to help correct soon. Sometimes, the owner, or the spotter of one of the "collected information" entries, just doesn't know what he has or has seen.

It's really true that there are loads of people out there that still think every Rick bass is a 4001. Case in point: The latest issue of Vintage Guitar highlights Michael Anthony's collection. They got the designations right on the hollow-body 4005's, including rare six- and eight-stringers, but the very early single-pickup Rick is described as "Anthony got this '50s Rickenbacker 4001 . . . and was told it was the third 4001 built." It's obviously an old-style Natural 4000 minus the sliding mute.

pbert wrote:here are some pict of the bass:


http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar ... /Front.jpg

http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar ... s/back.jpg

What a great looking bass!!

BobHyde wrote:

pbert wrote:here are some pict of the bass:


http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar ... /Front.jpg

http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar ... s/back.jpg

What a great looking bass!!

Yes, that has matured into a classic looking vintage FG. Very impressive...