Ric 4003s identification

[Shivnath]

Hey,
I've recently picked up a Ric 4003s.. from a collector.. looking for tips to identify if its a custom .. I've owned several.. 4004, 4003 x2.. This is all black hardware, black body.. 1995.. savage tail lift was replaced with a hipshot.. its a besutiful item.. not a shadow nor blackbird.. The neck is like an unbound shadow.. hence the question?? any leads would be appreciated!! cheers from Aus

 

[lowendblues]

Looks like a 4003s with the all black trim option they used to offer.

 

[PrairieThunder13]

It is indeed simply a jetglo 4003s with the black hardware/black trim option (suffixed "BT"). Fairly uncommon. A nice instrument! '95 is the last year before a major change in body style and neck shape for the 4003 and 4003s. The '86-'95 4003 and 4003s basses were some of the most comfortable rickenbacker ever made in my opinion. I doubt you'll be disappointed! Nice score.

 

[deff]

Madre des Dios that is perfect. If you don't mind me asking, what did it cost you?

 

[Shivnath]

Hey thanks !! Its a wonderful piece of Ric production, I'd never seen one in Aus, and having had grief of selling a '99 4004 laredo , and '93 4003 back in the mid 2000's... both from new and in fireglow..I just went out on a limb.. absolutly delighted.. thanks for the input.. this group has been a golden web experience!!

 

[Shivnath]

Madre des Dios that is perfect. If you don't mind me asking, what did it cost you?

4k Aus...was a collectors.. never played.. not a mark on it... swapped out the tail lift for a hipshot.. her name is Kali..

 

[ChickWithaRic]

Can't tell from a photo. I think you need to send it to me so I can check it out...

 

[hieronymous]

Cool! You sometimes see this combination referred to as "BHBT" - BH=black hardware, BT=black trim. So the trim is the pickguard, truss-rod cover, & binding (which yours doesn't have because it's an S).

I've got two of those, though from different years than yours:

The 8-string on the left is from 1993, the 4-string is 2004. The upper horn on the '93 is much chunkier than the '04. I like both! Enjoy yours, it looks really special.

 

[Shivnath]

Can't tell from a photo. I think you need to send it to me so I can check it out...

Best come to Au

Cool! You sometimes see this combination referred to as "BHBT" - BH=black hardware, BT=black trim. So the trim is the pickguard, truss-rod cover, & binding (which yours doesn't have because it's an S).

I've got two of those, though from different years than yours:

The 8-string on the left is from 1993, the 4-string is 2004. The upper horn on the '93 is much chunkier than the '04. I like both! Enjoy yours, it looks really special

Thank you!! they look amazing...
There's nothing like a Ric .. My '76 T-Bird is a little envious at all this new attention.. cheers!

 

[Ric5]

Hey,
I've recently picked up a Ric 4003s.. from a collector.. looking for tips to identify if its a custom .. I've owned several.. 4004, 4003 x2.. This is all black hardware, black body.. 1995.. savage tail lift was replaced with a hipshot.. its a besutiful item.. not a shadow nor blackbird.. The neck is like an unbound shadow.. hence the question?? any leads would be appreciated!! cheers from Aus

looks like a 1986 to 1990 black 4003s with black trim ... the serial number will give you the exact year

 

[Shivnath]

Serial no denotes '95.. K8 cheers

 

[Shivnath]

Best come to Au

The '76 T-Bird is a little envious at all this diverted attention.. both a joy to play and not too shabby hanging side by side!! T-Bird is Ex Hawkwind inventory..

 

[hieronymous]

The '76 T-Bird is a little envious at all this diverted attention.. both a joy to play and not too shabby hanging side by side!! T-Bird is Ex Hawkwind inventory..

That's awesome - you should repost that pic in it's only post so it doesn't get missed!

I was actually reading an article about Hawkwind this morning - haven't thought about them in a while. Lemmy put Thunderbird pickups in at least one of his Rics I believe - don't quote me on that though and don't get any ideas with yours!

 

[ChickWithaRic]

The '76 T-Bird is a little envious at all this diverted attention.. both a joy to play and not too shabby hanging side by side!! T-Bird is Ex Hawkwind inventory..

'76 ex-Hawkwind T-Bird can only have belonged to one person...

 

[Shivnath]

That's awesome - you should repost that pic in it's only post so it doesn't get missed!

I was actually reading an article about Hawkwind this morning - haven't thought about them in a while. Lemmy put Thunderbird pickups in at least one of his Rics I believe - don't quote me on that though and don't get any ideas with yours!

That's awesome - you should repost that pic in it's only post so it doesn't get missed!

I was actually reading an article about Hawkwind this morning - haven't thought about them in a while. Lemmy put Thunderbird pickups in at least one of his Rics I believe - don't quote me on that though and don't get any ideas with yours!

All good!! both staying OG.. I'm a Hawkwind tragic since 13 y.o...
That bass flew to Aus with two P's for Cliff Williams via California.From a vintage store in London .. the seller was a mate of my old singer.. blah blah..when he told me where he'd sourced it .. yes I did a little wee...HW were having a clear out about 2000..
but sorry Lemmy had gone by then.. but def some lysergic traces in the fretboard..this us Ron Tree

 

[Shivnath]

'76 ex-Hawkwind T-Bird can only have belonged to one person...

The great man had departed by then..historical none the less!

 

[ChickWithaRic]

That's awesome - you should repost that pic in it's only post so it doesn't get missed!

I was actually reading an article about Hawkwind this morning - haven't thought about them in a while. Lemmy put Thunderbird pickups in at least one of his Rics I believe - don't quote me on that though and don't get any ideas with yours!

He did do that. There's a BBC documentary you can find online about the mighty H called "Do Not panic", in which Lemmy reveals how he came to play a Ric in the first place. Something like "Their old bass player had this Rickenbacker, and he left it in the van when they fired him (chuckles) f***ing idiot. So I kept it"

 

[ChickWithaRic]

The great man had departed by then..historical none the less!

Departed but not gone forever. My mom (who is British) saw one of their occasional reunions in 1985 at London's Crystal Palace concert bowl. Quite a bizarre gig, by all accounts, which featured none other than Dame Vera Lynn on the bill, and I don't blame you if you don't believe me but it's 100% true.

Now, if only Lemmy had played bass on Levitation, with Huw Lloyd Langton and Ginger Baker... sorry. Lost sight of the topic for a moment.

 

[Shivnath]

Departed but not gone forever. My mom (who is British) saw one of their occasional reunions in 1985 at London's Crystal Palace concert bowl. Quite a bizarre gig, by all accounts, which featured none other than Dame Vera Lynn on the bill, and I don't blame you if you don't believe me but it's 100% true.

Now, if only Lemmy had played bass on Levitation, with Huw Lloyd Langton and Ginger Baker... sorry. Lost sight of the topic for a moment.

Totally in agreement.. both the Dame Vera Lynn and Levitation option...you wanna talk HW.. ??my vinyl collection bulges @ 45 thus far.. all from Aus.. check out 'Days of the Underground' by Joe Banks.. great book.... now back to Rickenbacker frothing!!

 

[ChickWithaRic]

Totally in agreement.. both the Dame Vera Lynn and Levitation option...you wanna talk HW.. ??my vinyl collection bulges @ 45 thus far.. all from Aus.. check out 'Days of the Underground' by Joe Banks.. great book.... now back to Rickenbacker frothing!!

Yes. Apologies for off topicness, if you all want to trade big H fandom PM me.