• 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.

Rickenbacker 4003 Colours?

HeavyAxe

HeavyAxe

Jul 16, 2013
420
222
Alberta, Canada
#1
Hey everyone. So, I have decided to purchase a new Rickenbacker 4003. I can not wait to finally receive my first. Though, I do have a rather trivial question to ask. What colour should I get? The only one I'm ruling out totally is the blue, a blue Ric just doesn't sit right with me personally. I've also found that you don't see many people with the new 'Ruby Red' colour basses. Any reasons for that? Yes, I know this is a sorta stupid question, but I love to hear others opinions.
Keep on truckin! :cool:
 
#2
Well, I don't have figures, but I believe there have been a lot of Ruby basses made. I think it is more popular than you guess. However, the "evergreen" colors of Jetglo, Fireglo, and Mapleglo will ALWAYS outsell the other available colors, and therefore more are made and more are available in those colors.
 
#5
Let me add my personal belief on choosing colors. The biggest factor, IMO, is that, when you see it in the room, you are compelled to pick it up and play. Sounds like you've figured out that Midnight Blue isn't for you. It's a personal choice, but if you can't leave it alone because it looks so good, you've made the right choice.
 
#7
My early eighties 4003 is Jetglo. I like this particular Ric a lot, and I think the color is just dandy... but...

I don't mean to be a wet blanket, but IMO, Rics aren't real consistent in any era, so with them it's very important to pick the specific example hands-on. Liking the color is real nice, but it maybe shouldn't be the first consideration.
 
#9
Don't forget seafoam green!

attachment.jpg


My 4001C64 started out as the first of five "special green" basses that Rick made back in 2011 (interesting tidbit: all 15 of that original white/yellow/green run were originally white) and were sold by Pick of the Ricks. But, it had several finish issues (flaking, finish bubbling/lifting around the bridge, obvious repairs, etc) so it went back to Rickenbacker to be refinished. It was refinished in the original mint "special green" but the refinish was much, much worse than the original paintjob where the finish was again bubbling around the bridge, the fretboard hadn't been refinished and had rub-throughs on the edges, and the truss rods were painted over as well as the nut (which wasn't removed prior to refinishing). I had made it clear that I expected the bass to have NO signs whatsoever that it had been refinished. Also, several screws were chewed. So, back it went again...this time, I was told that Rickenbacker didn't have any more "special green" paint (even though I was assured it would be the same color previously). Rick offered to repaint the bass in the 2000 color-of-the-year "seafoam" green (which I HIGHLY preferred, and always kicked myself for missing one of the impossible-to-find V63 seafoam basses that trickled out of the factory years ago). I definitely prefer the seafoam color, as it is pretty much my dream bass (basically a reverse headstock V63 in seafoam) but I was promised a "1 of 1" certificate since they couldn't refinish my bass in the original factory "special green" color in order to keep its value; afterall, this bass was nearly 4 grand mainly JUST because of the custom color. To sum up, I received the bass, EXPERTLY refinished and absolutely perfect in seafoam, but the case was scratched and some pickup screwheads were chewed in the process...and in the end Rickenbacker flatly refused to do anything about any of it, and completely refused to provide me with the certificate of authenticity that they had promised (or ANY documentation that the bass was specifically refinished by the factory in seafoam green). I've emailed them several times since, and haven't gotten a response. All I wanted was documentation showing that this bass was a 1 of 1 seafoam 4001C64 refinished by the factory.

Although I have to confess again that I GREATLY prefer the bass in this color...

:)
 

Attachments

  • 2013-03-19_15-31-15_371.jpg
    2013-03-19_15-31-15_371.jpg
    123.4 KB · Views: 2,659
#10
ggoat!!! said:
Don't forget seafoam green!

attachment.jpg


My 4001C64 started out as the first of five "special green" basses that Rick made back in 2011 (interesting tidbit: all 15 of that original white/yellow/green run were originally white) and were sold by Pick of the Ricks. But, it had several finish issues (flaking, finish bubbling/lifting around the bridge, obvious repairs, etc) so it went back to Rickenbacker to be refinished. It was refinished in the original mint "special green" but the refinish was much, much worse than the original paintjob where the finish was again bubbling around the bridge, the fretboard hadn't been refinished and had rub-throughs on the edges, and the truss rods were painted over. I had made it clear that I expected the bass to have NO signs whatsoever that it had been refinished. Also, several screws were chewed. So, back it went again...this time, I was told that Rickenbacker didn't have any more "special green" paint (even though I was assured it would be the same color previously). Rick offered to repaint the bass in the 2000 color-of-the-year "seafoam" green (which I HIGHLY preferred, and always kicked myself for missing one of the impossible-to-find V63 seafoam basses that trickled out of the factory years ago). I definitely prefer the seafoam color, as it is pretty much my dream bass (basically a reverse headstock V63 in seafoam) but I was promised a "1 of 1" certificate since they couldn't refinish my bass in the original factory "special green" color in order to keep its value; afterall, this bass was nearly 4 grand mainly JUST because of the custom color. To sum up, I received the bass, EXPERTLY refinished and absolutely perfect in seafoam, but the case was scratched and some pickup screwheads were chewed in the process...and in the end Rickenbacker flatly refused to do anything about any of it, and completely refused to provide me with the certificate of authenticity that they had promised (or ANY documentation that the bass was specifically refinished by the factory in seafoam green). I've emailed them several times since, and haven't gotten a response. All I wanted was documentation showing that this bass was a 1 of 1 seafoam 4001C64 refinished by the factory.

Although I have to confess again that I GREATLY prefer the bass in this color...

:)
Click to expand...

A truly beautiful bass! Yet its stories like this that make me yearn for Sterling Ball to purchase Rickenbacker and apply Music Man's QA processes and standards to this historic line of instruments.
 
#16
electracoyote said:
They made that red finish with black trim once or twice. But they say that bass has a curse on it and its owner.
Click to expand...

The Ric Corporation immediately recognized that problem and they put out a special service bulletin to address it. The bulletin stated that all you need to do is hang a white rabbit's foot from the D tuning peg, stick a four leaf clover in your ear, and while holding the bass perfectly horizontal, walk under a ladder while singing "Here Comes the Sun" by the Beatles, and you would be completely free from the curse for the following four hours. (Perfect for that 3-hour gig.)
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back