Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I've got the chance of a new 4003 at a great price.

Only problem is the lacquer on the rear of the neck. It has a number of cracks, starting around the nut, all over the first fret area. It's a bit like a spiders web, which then develops into about 3 longer ones, I guess about halfway around the neck.

I've been told a luthier has checked it, and it is just the lacquer.

What the take on this? Worth a go, or avoid? It's a good price, from a reputable retailer.

Will try to post a photo later.

Define "good price."

It's likeliest just the lacquer, commonly caused by an instrument being shipped at a cold temperature (typical), and then someone quickly removes it from the box and case indoors. The rapid temperature change cracks it like glass. That's why they always leave the box indoors for 24 hours before opening it, or something like that.

Unless it's a HUGE discount, I'd pass. A dealer should know better.

Discount is about £400 ($640).

Here is a picture of the cracking...although as far as I'm aware, you can't feel it when playing.

I have a 2006 62 RI Jazz Bass that has the exact same thing. Looks like someone along the way did not heed the manufacturers suggestions regarding cold weather (and plain old common sense) and opened up the case in a warm room right after the instrument had been exposed to very cold temps in shipping. On my bass the spider lacquer cracks have had absolutely no ill effects on the bass and I got the bass for less than half of what it should have sold for because someone did not want to deal with trying to resell it and having to explain the cracks were harmless

spongebob wrote:Discount is about £400 ($640).

Here is a picture of the cracking...although as far as I'm aware, you can't feel it when playing.

Looks to me like it was dropped on the nut, which was cracked and replaced. Just a guess but it sure looks like that.

johnallg wrote:Looks to me like it was dropped on the nut, which was cracked and replaced. Just a guess but it sure looks like that.

+1
That's from stress not from weather checking IMO.

I'll bet almost anything there's a ding somewhere on the head.

$640 bucks?

Is it new or used?

it it plays well and it doesnt seem to have any problems and you can live with that mark....why not

you are going to play it right? if so, then you will most likely put some small scratch marks here and there anyway.

Yeah thats been dropped id leave it that would get on my nerves anyway lets say you sold it, your not going to shift that anytime soon.£400 off of £1699 im presuming £1300 for a new bass with a cracked neck? Nah id avoid it Iain.

I'd say ''pass''. Those cracks, even if benign, are sticking out like dogs balls.

Colonel Sanders wrote:I'd say ''pass''. Those cracks, even if benign, are sticking out like dogs balls.

Wow, the language has suddenly deteriorated here! That should be "dog's balls".

johnhall wrote:

Colonel Sanders wrote:I'd say ''pass''. Those cracks, even if benign, are sticking out like dogs balls.

Wow, the language has suddenly deteriorated here! That should be "dog's balls".

johnallg wrote:

johnhall wrote:

Colonel Sanders wrote:I'd say ''pass''. Those cracks, even if benign, are sticking out like dogs balls.

Wow, the language has suddenly deteriorated here! That should be "dog's balls".

+1!

Speaking of dog ball's, my friend had a Schnauzer that was born with only ONE testicle.

I used to refer to it as "the one nut, mutt". For some reason, he didn't see the humor in that.

I'm sorry, back to the topic at hand.

johnhall wrote:

Colonel Sanders wrote:I'd say ''pass''. Those cracks, even if benign, are sticking out like dogs balls.

Wow, the language has suddenly deteriorated here! That should be "dog's balls".

Oooops! Apologies for the spelling error!

The following french version is grammatically correct!

Je laisserais l’occasion à quelqu’un d’autre. Ces fissures, même bénignes, sont aussi apparentes que les couilles d’un chien.