Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hi all! Newbie here
Can anyone tell me about my Mapleglo 4003s? I’ve not seen another like it.It has a plexiglass TRC and a Toaster which I’m sure has always been there
The closest I’ve seen is a 4003sb but mines mono.Someone suggested it may have been a one off or prototype
Thanks in advance

Here’s a pic

The B series, the predecessor of the V series?

I have heard - by rumour - that sometimes, the serial number decoder on the RIC site might give extra info about special instruments. If you have not tried it already, it might be worth a visit there to see if they provide something special for your serial number.

Thanks folks
The serial number dates to June 83 but the body date is 82 and the pots are 81!

Bishopsfinger wrote:Hi all! Newbie here
Can anyone tell me about my Mapleglo 4003s?

Can you tell us more about your fingernail procedure?

The "B" series was inconsistent as far as features go. It started out as 4001SB to emulate McCartney's bass. It was basically a stock 4001S which would have had a set neck with a shedua central strip in the neck (only). They installed a Toaster-top pickup in the standard 1" position to make it look "vintage". I wouldn't be surprised that some got the dual outlet "Rick-O-Sound" feature or a leftover plexi truss-rod cover. When 4001S stock had run out, they started making the "B" series out of 4003S which would have had the reverse-loaded truss rods, split pickguard, and neck-through construction. Does yours have a set neck with shedua strip? Then it would be a 4001S or possibly 4001SB. The inconsistencies of the B series led to its cancellation when John Hall took over the company in 1984. He then developed the more period-accurate 4001V63.

This is neck through with body end truss rods and a one piece pickguard

OK, so it is a 4003S and may have been a 4003SB. The pickguard MAY be a replacement since it isn't a split one, but again, inconsistencies during that time are common. In any case, it is a fine Rickenbacker.

It’s never had a split pickguard

Thanks Paul …I love the inconsistencies

I had one of these back in the Eighties.

http://www.rickbeat.com/modelslibrary/b ... series.htm

I have a lot more info on the B series in the book. It seems that it was first advertised in Japan and was labeled 4001SB and the one in the American ad is clearly a set-neck 4001S leftie with a Toaster, making it an SB. By the time the American ad came out, they were calling it the 4003SB.

Thanks for the info
Im guessing it’s a 4003s that they slapped a few odds and ends on !

Further research reveals it to be a 4003Sb
Many thanks for all your help