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For Sale Rickenbacker 4003 1985 Fireglo Transition Year

Discussion in 'For Sale: Bass Guitars' started by SlappyTap, Jul 7, 2017.

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  1. Jul 7, 2017 #1
    SlappyTap

    SlappyTap

    Apr 2, 2013
    Price:
    1799.00
    Strings:
    4
    Location:
    Pennsylvania
    Hey guys, this is a Rickenbacker 4003 from 1985 in beautiful Fireglo with original hard case. I bought this used as a case queen and I have only used it around the house. It is in very good condition and has all original parts. The main flaw to speak of is a crack in the lacquer on the back of the neck. I have had this inspected by a luthier and am assured that it does not follow the wood grain and is only lacquer-deep. It's not noticeable when you are playing. Speaking of the neck, the reason I sought one from this era is the neck is very slim and comfortable. Quite different from my newer Rics. This is an example of the early 80s transition years for Rickenbacker, as it has the 2 piece pickguard, 2 extra screws at the rear of the bridge, and the truss rod adjusts at the base of the neck rather than at the headstock. The truss rods are also the new/current type, not the old hairpin rods. If y'all have any other questions, don't hesitate to ask. Price is $1899 plus cost of insured shipping. Thanks!
    IMAG0758.jpg IMAG0768.jpg IMAG0757.jpg
     
    byoung93888, JMacBass65, woodyng2 and 1 other person like this.
  2. Jul 7, 2017 #2
    Aceonbass

    Aceonbass Commercial User

    Apr 10, 2004
    Parkville,Mo.
    If the truss rods adjust at the body end, they are actually the old style hairpin rods.
     
  3. Jul 7, 2017 #3
    SlappyTap

    SlappyTap

    Apr 2, 2013
    I assure you, they are not. They look just like these -
    TRUSS ROD ASSY 24.25 BASS
    My favorite Rickenbacker resource is the Joey's Bass Notes page. Basses made after Sept. 84 have the new style truss rods, and 1985 was the last year of the two piece pickguard. This bass is just a weird overlap/transition example.
    Joey's Rickenbacker Bass Guitar Maintenance, Setup and Wiring Diagrams
     
    JMacBass65 likes this.
  4. Jul 7, 2017 #4
    Aceonbass

    Aceonbass Commercial User

    Apr 10, 2004
    Parkville,Mo.
    I've honestly never seen the current style truss rods adjusted at the body end under a two piece guard. This would be something of interest on the Rickenbacker Bass thread here. Can you post a pic under the guard. There should be two long skinny routes, and no visible truss rod nuts because it's supposed to be the other end of the hairpin rods.
     
  5. Jul 7, 2017 #5
    SlappyTap

    SlappyTap

    Apr 2, 2013
    No problem! here's a pic-
    IMAG0769.jpg
     
    Aceonbass and JMacBass65 like this.
  6. Jul 7, 2017 #6
    JMacBass65

    JMacBass65

    Jan 31, 2009
    Northern Virginia
    My 1985 Ruby 4003 has body end modern rods as well. I have posted pics on TB multiple times, almost certainly in the Rick Club thread.

    Specs on mine, two piece guard, body end modern rods, two extra screws in the tailpiece, no bridge pup "cap". Very thin (but stable) neck.
     
    Last edited: Jul 7, 2017
  7. Jul 7, 2017 #7
    JMacBass65

    JMacBass65

    Jan 31, 2009
    Northern Virginia
  8. Jul 7, 2017 #8
    JMacBass65

    JMacBass65

    Jan 31, 2009
    Northern Virginia
    This will be an awesome Rick for somebody. If I were not broke it'd be mine. I'd love to have one Rick for rounds, the other for flats.

    And he's not kidding about the neck - super slim and fast, not at all like the current ones.
     
    SlappyTap likes this.
  9. Jul 8, 2017 #9
    Aceonbass

    Aceonbass Commercial User

    Apr 10, 2004
    Parkville,Mo.
    Thanks for sharing. I'd never seen that before. I also didn't realise that the oversized routing around the rods dated back that far.
     
  10. Jul 10, 2017 #10
    SlappyTap

    SlappyTap

    Apr 2, 2013
    Still available!:bassist:
     
  11. Jul 11, 2017 #11
    SlappyTap

    SlappyTap

    Apr 2, 2013
    More pictures - IMAG0774.jpg IMAG0780.jpg IMAG0776.jpg IMAG0778.jpg IMAG0777.jpg IMAG0779.jpg
     
  12. Jul 15, 2017 #12
    SlappyTap

    SlappyTap

    Apr 2, 2013
    Price drop:thumbsup:
     
  13. Jul 24, 2017 #13
    SlappyTap

    SlappyTap

    Apr 2, 2013
    No takers yet, still available.