Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Did they ever make these?

I am looking at purchasing what claims to be a 1986 4001s, which has a split pickguard. No binding, non-toaster pickups, everything else seems to check out for a 4001. I'm just trying to make sure I would be getting what I think I'm getting.

Also, I would want to swap out the pickups (and maybe pickguard) to toasters and the slightly bigger pickguard (that covers more surface area) and would appreciate any advice out there on doing this. I'm just trying to make it as close to the 64 as possible!

thoughts?

http://boston.craigslist.org/nos/msg/4321147100.html

Unless proven otherwise, it is a 4003S. As you will discover, a lot of folks think that ALL Rickenbacker basses are 4001 because most of the old ones are. But, the proof on this one is to see the back. At this point, the last of the 4001S selling as new would have had a set neck construction. The split pickguard indicates the early version of the 4003 which had the old-style hairpin truss rods that had the adjusting nuts at the body end of the neck. It would be easiest to lift the truss-rod cover to be able to tell. If it has simply two skinny slots at the headstock and no cavity or nuts visible, then it is certainly an early (1982-86) 4003S. If you see nuts and rod ends in a cavity in the headstock, then it could be a later 4003S (1986-1992) with a replacement earlier pickguard. Let us know if you get to see this up close. The price looks OK.

Thank You Paul.
I had been in the process of writing a less involved answer, and was mentioning your name when my post was
somehow deleted.
I DID say that it MOST likely was a 4003s, an early one at that, but stipulated that I COULD be wrong.
I am not aware of any 4001's or 4001s' with the split guard.

I did not know about the dates of production.

whoa, my post just got deleted as well... weird

here is what I wrote

Hi Paul,

Thanks for the prompt response! I am going to see if I can get him to send me a couple more photos, of the back and of the truss rod cavity.

I guess I didn't know they made the 4003 without binding.

Will update!

Emeen

Yes, the 4003S, the 4003S/5, the 4003S/8, the 4003SPC (Blackstar, Redneck, and Tuxedo) are all without binding or the shark fin position markers. You could also count the "vintage" models as well: 4001V63, 4001C64, 4001CS, and the sometimes indeterminable 4003SB. All are basically the same as the 4003S with differing hardware.

Lefty4003S8 wrote:Thank You Paul.
I had been in the process of writing a less involved answer, and was mentioning your name when my post was
somehow deleted.
I DID say that it MOST likely was a 4003s, an early one at that, but stipulated that I COULD be wrong.

The last moderator edit was yesterday and that was just to fix a typo in a post.
Maybe when you clicked send, the post just didn't really go through. That's happened to me on occasion.

rickenbrother wrote:Maybe when you clicked send, the post just didn't really go through. That's happened to me on occasion.

That has happened to me many times. Clicking back to the text box page and re-submitting fixed them.

Update from the seller!

Upon closer inspection he has informed me that it is in fact a 4003. That kind of bums me out a little, I was excited about the potential 4001. I guess the main difference here would be the neck profile/thicker truss rods and hardware, correct?

I just love the no binding so much, and see it so rarely! If I were to get it I would be looking at spending some more to swap out the pickups and get a new pickguard from pickguardian. Still seems like a pretty good deal to me tho... gotta think this one through.

Thanks for your help!

Unless you have your heart set on a 4001, the early 4003 basses are liked by those who have them. This bass will still have the old style hairpin rods, just adjusted at the body end. It looks like it is in really nice shape and that is a really good price. My opinion.

emeenz wrote:Update from the seller!

Upon closer inspection he has informed me that it is in fact a 4003.

A 4003S to be more exact.

johnallg wrote:This bass will still have the old style hairpin rods, just adjusted at the body end. It looks like it is in really nice shape and that is a really good price.

That's true. If you don't the mind two piece pickguard and the trussrod adjustments at the body end of the neck, this could be a very nice score.

thanks guys! I have played many a 4003 but I'm not sure if I've ever actually played a 4001. I am most curious about the slimmer neck, although I've never really had a problem with the way the 4003 feels.

And yes you are right, it is a 4003s.

As far as the pickguard, I would replace that with an older style one, plus toasters, so I'm looking at spending a few hundred bucks more on it after buying it. Also it needs a set up, he mentioned there is too much neck relief, which worries me a tiny bit. Hopefully it's not a problem.

I guess I should really just try it out, I'll usually make the decision as soon as I have it in my hands!

emeenz wrote:thanks guys! I have played many a 4003 but I'm not sure if I've ever actually played a 4001. I am most curious about the slimmer neck, although I've never really had a problem with the way the 4003 feels.

And yes you are right, it is a 4003s.

As far as the pickguard, I would replace that with an older style one, plus toasters, so I'm looking at spending a few hundred bucks more on it after buying it. Also it needs a set up, he mentioned there is too much neck relief, which worries me a tiny bit. Hopefully it's not a problem.

I guess I should really just try it out, I'll usually make the decision as soon as I have it in my hands!

This era 4003 basses had nice necks. As for the relief issue, he might not know of or how to adjust the rods. My experience with the old rods is when properly adjusted hold the neck without further adjustment needed, short of changing the strings to a type with different tension. I'm in Michigan and necks need adjusting at least twice a year due to differences in temps and humidity. My two 4001 basses (old style rods) stay put.

Good looking bass at a good looking price! Unless the action is super unplayable high, get it. Even if it is...get it!

wints wrote:Unless the action is super unplayable high

Who needs to play above the 9th fret?

edski wrote:

wints wrote:Unless the action is super unplayable high

Who needs to play above the 9th fret?

Right. Supposedly the neck between the 9th fret and the nut is only good for making money, not music!