• 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 Tuxedo/Whitestar

P

perj62

Jul 6, 2010
5
2
#1
This bass, called "Rickenbacker 4003 Tuxedo/Whitestar", has been put out for sale on some norwegian web market place. Does anyone know this specific model? See the picture below:

Invalid Link Removed

The seller claims that this bass was only produced in 1987, and in a limited edition of 120 pcs. The serial number is CO 9475.

And if this is correct, what may this bass be worth?

I have been looking for a ric for some time, and this one looks interesting.
 
  • Like
Reactions: catcauphonic
#2
The year I bought my 1987 Mapleglo, I played THAT model bass exactly... I loved it but took too long to make up my mind and someone else bought it. I was trying to pick between the Mapleglo and the all white one.

Both played real nice, the white one looked cooler. The issue was that my guitarist had a white SG that was yellowing AND it was a couple hundred dollars more. I didn't want it to be blotchy yellow & white like his Gibson.
 
#3
One sold on eBay in may for $3,000.

You should snag it:

Invalid Link Removed

4003 "Tuxedo" or "Whitestar"
Limited Edition Series
This bass is similar to the 4003 model.
Features: White lacquered fingerboard, black hardware, black pickguard and truss rod cover, 9 black micro dot inlays, white finished unbound body.
1987 - Introduced
1987 - Discontinued

And more:
http://www.rickbeat.com/modelslibrary/4003SPCtuxedo/4003spctuxedo.htm
 
#4
Thanks for your reply, James. May I ask if you, or anyone else, have any clue of what this bass may be worth? The seller is not asking a specific price, so I guess he is not sure himself about the value.
 
#7
I had one of these in the late 90's. Foolishly I let it go! It was a pretty limited production model. When I bought it, that bass cost me $800. Now it could sell for anywhere around $2000 or more. The market for Rickenbacker basses has just gotten out of hand.

Compared to other Rick 4003 basses, it really isn't all that special from a playing standpoint. The finish is the big difference. If you're really hung up on the white finish (including the fingerboard), then go for it. But if you're looking for a player's bass you may not be all that impressed by this model.
 
#8
Nice bass. I've seen the other/ rest pictures of this one. Didn't seemed to me that the owner loved this one... the way the strings are wrapped around etc......
Otherwise, the bridge looks fine, 2 extra screws on the back part -- no tail lift.
The bass overall look nice, but it is obvious the owner is a bit shabby...
 
#9
The Tuxedo is the brother of the Blackstar and Redneck. All maple body and neck gives it a different sound from rosewood fretborad Rickenbackers. A more bright punchy sound, if you can believe a Rickenbacker can be more punchy sounding. A very scarce bass!

Sepp
 
#10
Kopfjaeger said:
The Tuxedo is the brother of the Blackstar and Redneck. All maple body and neck gives it a different sound from rosewood fretborad Rickenbackers. A more bright punchy sound, if you can believe a Rickenbacker can be more punchy sounding. A very scarce bass!

Sepp
Click to expand...

Maybe, I'll love to hear one! But on thing I love about the 4003 with rosewood is the bright high mids punch which is still warm and organic. My Geddy can be too bright on the punch side with the same settings as my Ric.
 
#11
The bass is indeed a proper "Tuxedo" and is designated 4003SPC (for special). It would have come with a certificate of limited edition. The Tuxedo was the first of the SPCs to appear (early 1987) and was limited to 125 units. It's basically the unbound 4003S but equipped with a maple fingerboard instead of the usual bubinga. The monchromatic paint job included the fingerboard. There was at least one lefty Tuxedo made, but apparently no five- or eight-stringers. The Redneck (just like the Tuxedo only all red) was also limited to 125 with a handful of eight-stringers and were produced from late 1987 to 1988. The Blackstar (200 produced) included several five-stringers, and enjoyed the longest production run of the three, being introduced in late 1987 and continuing into 1990. The four- and five-string Blackstars were the only ones appearing on official RIC price sheets.

Collectible Rick prices have fallen some with the economy, but an SPC in good condition should fetch between $2000 and $3000, more for the five-string Blackstar and eight-string Redneck.
 
#13
perj62 said:
This bass, called "Rickenbacker 4003 Tuxedo/Whitestar", has been put out for sale on some norwegian web market place. Does anyone know this specific model? See the picture below:

Ric%204003%20web.png
Click to expand...

That's not a Whitestar, this is, being followed by a Shadow ship:
 
#14
"Whitestar" was never a factory name for the all-white Rick bass (as far as I know). Probably a popular misnomer stemming from grouping it with the "Blackstar" (which is the official name). I've also read "Bloodstar" for the "Redneck;" equally facetious. And then there are those out there who refer to any white Rick with black trim as being a "Tuxedo." I use "Tuxedo" only for the real "Tuxedo," the others are just white Ricks. Hopefully, when the book comes out, more will be properly edge-u-kated. :^)
 
#15
Just a thought about the treble pickup cover - if it was black you may want to ask the seller if they still have it. The only replacement pickup covers I've seen have been "chrome" plastic, and it might be a difficult to replace a black one. But I suppose you could just rattlecan one with black paint.

That said, I'm not sure if this model even came with a pickup cover. It was just a thought.

Ric%204003%20web.png
 
#17
Yes, a black cover. Oddly, the Blackstar "usually" came with a chromed cover, mute adjusting screws, bass pickup surround, and strap pins. Some Blackstar owners want to go "none more black" and swap these out (along with finding black head screws to mount the pick guard or just painting them). Slap on a set of black tape-wound strings and the instrument disappears (well, except for the bridge which is always chrome).
 
#18
I used to have one of the 1987 4003S tuxedo basses. I get angry at myself every time I think about it. I bought it new (although it had been hanging on the wall a long time) in 1988 for about $1000 from a Guitar Center in (I think) West Covina, CA and I stupidly sold it in 1997 when I thought I was giving up music for good.

I have owned one Ric 4001 since then and it did not satisfy like that one did. I sold it and do not regret it.
 
Last edited:
#20
I bought this bass new and still own it. It has certificate as production number 1 in the series. It was played professionally for 10 years and has been retired for the past almost 20 years. I pulled it out last week and played a little. Still a great player. It has turned yellow and has a pink tint on the back from years of being played.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back