Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I'm sorry if it's not the right place to post.
I just bought vintage Rickenbacker 1987 and the seller didn't know if it is 4001 or 4003.
I tried to look in the internet and ended up confused.
If i put the serial of the guitar in the website i get:
"Your guitar was manufactured in January of 1987" and nothing besides that.
I'm adding pictures of the guitar.
https://scontent-fra3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hp ... 6851_o.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/ ... 2646_o.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/ ... 3710_o.jpg
https://scontent-fra3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hp ... 6441_o.jpg

It's a 4003.
I'm not aware of any 4001 that had the 5 screw tail piece.

Also, I'm pretty sure the 4001 was out of production at that point.

If you have accurately translated the date code on the jackplate (and if the jackplate is original to your instrument), then you have a 4003. The five-screw tailpiece (three under the bridge, two outside) is not an indicator as it was introduced in the mid-1970s on the 4001. Besides, the new standard five-screw tailpiece could be a replacement. The real indicator of "4003 ism" is the truss rods. Early 4003 models (and their contemporaries) made between 1980 and 1985 had the old-style hairpin truss rods mounted at the body end of the neck. This was usually underneath the "split" (two-piece) pick guard. Later (1985 to current) 4003 has acorn nuts at the body end and adjustable nuts at the headstock end of standard double-threaded-end rods.

If yours is a 1987, it should have the later style rods.

For MUCH more on Rickenbacker basses, check out "the book."

OOOPS!!! My Bad

The "Split Guard" WAS the first thing I looked for. Then it was the tailpiece that backed up my guess---I didn't know the 5 screw came earlier.

At least I correctly identified it as a 4003.


OK.....going back to the corner now

The shedua strip is also an identifier for a 4001 made since late-ish '72 on to end of 4001 production. The 4003 does not have this.

Correct. IF you can see it. Of course, Jetglo is opaque and you may not be able to see the contrasting wood strip down the center of the neck - at least not easily. You might be able to see a little shrinkage ("It's SHRINKAGE!") along the join lines of the strip through the finish. The shedua center strip ("skunk stripe") helped strengthen and stabilize the neck-through construction of the 4001 bass from early-mid 1972 until the early 1980s. It was also seen in the necks (only) of the 4000, 4001S, 3001, 4005, and 4080 (bass neck) during that time, and in the neck-through construction of the 4002.

Thank you very much for your reply's! I really appreciate it.
If you want me to take more pictures of something particular tell me.
So my bass is 4003 thanks a lot for helping me figuring it out.
bassduke49, where can i purchase your book?

The book is available from Amazon and good book stores everywhere!