• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

NBD: 4001 or 4003??

Rock O

Rock O

Oct 28, 2018
110
435
#1
Hi gang!
Just picked up this fine fellow and it's a head scratcher.
The head plate says 4001, but it has the body truss rod adjust, the 2 piece pickguard, and the neck pickup placement I'd associate with a 4003.
It has the treble pickup capacitor like a 4001.

Body dated 12/17/82, serial number is March of '83.

So what is it, besides an absolutely killer bass?? Love it.
 

Attachments

  • 20241207_153013.jpg
    20241207_153013.jpg
    1.7 MB · Views: 25
  • 20241207_175942.jpg
    20241207_175942.jpg
    3.1 MB · Views: 26
  • 20241207_175920.jpg
    20241207_175920.jpg
    2.9 MB · Views: 24
  • 20241207_175933.jpg
    20241207_175933.jpg
    2.6 MB · Views: 25
  • 20241207_180244.jpg
    20241207_180244.jpg
    2.3 MB · Views: 26
  • Like
Reactions: definenredefine, toothguy, woodyng2 and 4 others
#3
The pickguard doesn't look original.
Those can get pretty brittle with time.

Also pretty sure the 4001's ended production in '83 and moved on to the 4003 model, and later reissues.
... but here's some info Rickenbacker Bass Models, A history/list - Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Sounds in the 4001 time window.

What were you trying to say about the truss rod?
My '77 4001 adjusts at the headstock and has dual truss rods?
 
  • Like
Reactions: One Way
#7
Could be a transition era. Tone or playability wise it doesn't matter. Just adjust the truss rod like a 4001 regardless of what it actually is, and you should be good to go. By that I mean, you press the neck until it becomes stratght, and then tighten the truss rods to lock it in place. It will work with a 4003, too.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Azari and Rock O
#8
I’d say it’s a 4003 with non-original TRC. A 4001 will have a center stripe even during the overlapping transition period when the 4003 would not. 4001 never had the heel-adjust truss rods to my knowledge, nor two-piece pickguard or the extra two screws on the tailpiece. (I have an ‘83 4003.) The only detail I see that doesn’t point to being a 4003 is the TRC, in my opinion.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Dabndug, Giffro, Jeff Scott and 6 others
#10
farace said:
I’d say it’s a 4003 with non-original TRC. A 4001 will have a center stripe even during the overlapping transition period when the 4003 would not. 4001 never had the heel-adjust truss rods to my knowledge, nor two-piece pickguard or the extra two screws on the tailpiece. (I have an ‘83 4003.) The only detail I see that doesn’t point to being a 4003 is the TRC, in my opinion.
Click to expand...
Bingo! It’s a 4003. 😁
 
  • Like
Reactions: Rock O
#11
farace said:
I’d say it’s a 4003 with non-original TRC. A 4001 will have a center stripe even during the overlapping transition period when the 4003 would not. 4001 never had the heel-adjust truss rods to my knowledge, nor two-piece pickguard or the extra two screws on the tailpiece. (I have an ‘83 4003.) The only detail I see that doesn’t point to being a 4003 is the TRC, in my opinion.
Click to expand...

Exactly - I owned an '85 like it in Fireglo - it's a 4003. Introduced in '79, the model 4003 started as a 4001 redesigned for use with round wound strings. Differences are (as @farce stated) ; two piece pg to access the reversed tr at the heal w/o taking the whole pg off, and two wood-screws through the bridge plate to prevent it curling up added at the advent of higher tension round-wound strings that caused it to lift. When I got mine not knowing the difference - I thought someone added the screws DIY... In '86, the 4003 replaced the 4001 entirely - in name only. (as in - it went back to a one piece pg and hs located tr adjuster ala 4001) If the OP's bass is an early example, it's possible it still had a 4001 tr cover.

There was also an early '80s 4001S which had a dotted fb, no body binding, a two-piece pg and the two wood screws on the bridge-plate.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Rock O, toothguy and murphy
#12
I agree, 4003. "WC" serial number says March 1982 (if I counted on my fingers correctly). As far as the TRC - maybe they were out of 4003 TRCs that day? Or someone just reached in the wrong bin? Or some store ordered a 4001 and all RIC had available to ship was a 4003, so they changed the TRC? :laugh:

In any case, nice score! That looks mint. Be sure you (or your tech) know how to adjust the hairpin truss rods.
 
#13
Little or no difference in tone between 4001 and 4003 of that era, but the split pickguard and heel adjust rods was an odd (and brief) departure, seems like they were trying to stengthen the headstock/neck joint, the double rods hogged out a lot of meat under the TRC, but Ric wasn't in the habit, then or now, of explaining design changes to the public. Nice score, looks to be in great shape for it's age. My first bass was a 1978 4001.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Rock O
#14
It's a 4003S. A few (like yours) had the dual outputs, but usually they were single "normal" outputs. Kinda rare! Congrats! For the full story, check pp. 76-77 of the book (2nd edition), pp. 74-76 (1st edition). "The Rickenbacker Electric Bass - 50 Years as Rock's Bottom" Hal Leonard Books, 2013-2017.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MrAB4003
#15
Paul Boyer said:
It's a 4003S. A few (like yours) had the dual outputs, but usually they were single "normal" outputs. Kinda rare! Congrats! For the full story, check pp. 76-77 of the book (2nd edition), pp. 74-76 (1st edition). "The Rickenbacker Electric Bass - 50 Years as Rock's Bottom" Hal Leonard Books, 2013-2017.
Click to expand...
Need a pic for your avatar?

Paul Boyer-RIC 75th-1200-90ps.jpg
 
#17
Rock O said:
Hi gang!
Just picked up this fine fellow and it's a head scratcher.
The head plate says 4001, but it has the body truss rod adjust, the 2 piece pickguard, and the neck pickup placement I'd associate with a 4003.
It has the treble pickup capacitor like a 4001.

Body dated 12/17/82, serial number is March of '83.

So what is it, besides an absolutely killer bass?? Love it.
Click to expand...

wheresmyric said:
Early 4003's had the two piece pickguard.
Click to expand...
^This^ A "Transitional" very early 4003 - and, kinda rare. 4003's kept the treble cap for a long time; into the early '90's, maybe? My '01 4003 didn't have one; didn't have the push/pull treble pot, either. It does now, though; along with the tone cap. The neck pickup was moved around 1978 or so, in RIC's attempt to stop what some people call "negative neck angle". Where the overly large pickup route in the original spot, left a very small piece of wood where the neck transitions into the body. String tension - especially from high tension strings - could sometimes make the neck lift up - like a drawbridge opening - using that little piece of wood like a hinge. Very hard - and expensive - to repair. My '73 4001, unfortunately, is exhibiting the beginnings of the problem... It wears very low tension strings, now; and will until I find somebody that can fix it (and the money to pay them)... :whistle:
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back