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What Rickenbacker would you do?
- Thread starter Ander87
- Start date
Here is a 2016 black, 4003s I had for a bit. Loved everything about it except for the large, D shaped neck profile, so it was sold.
I think the fretboard on the 4003s looks the best, and it also seems to be in the best condition, and a bit cheaper than the other ones, so that’s where my vote goes.
yep chips have me a bit paranoid. £1895 on the Ruby red…!
that’s the thing, £1650 on the 4003s and £250 on the bridge and £40 on the bezel put me on £2k all in roughly!
I think this is me yet I kinda want to play it cool and say I don’t care that much just cause the blue burst is gorgeous, but I already have a lake placid blue P, the blue of excellence in my opinion…!
wish I could try them but barely can! The reason being is they all are a good 5hr round trip so after a full tank on my car I’d have to be pretty sure to buy otherwise lose half a day and a not-cheap tank of gas…
Having said that, the Ruby Red is in the way home from the airport when I’m back home the 31st December… one last spur before the year ends to try my 2023 resolution of not buying more basses for a year?
so the blue at £1850 plus £250 on the hipshot and £45 on the bezel… £2150, ouchie!
that fretboard looks great and surely in the best condition, followed closely by the Ruby Red…
Almost, borderline about to pull the trigger on the Ruby Red……. Argh!
by the way this is GORGEOUS!!! But alas a fingerprint magnet as some mentioned, hmmm…!
Having played a Rickenbacker 4-string as my main bass for @ twenty years (and for many of those years, was my only bass) until I needed a 5-string; I would go with the S for the reasons mentioned above: the color is good for the OP's repertoire, it is more comfortable to the forearm than the bound versions, and the newer pickups will rock hard.
You’re playing in a punk band, no? I would think those two dings on the front eliminate the need for the requisite stickers…
That ruby red is killer, too!
Ah thanks everyone!
For the record I always play with a wristband so the chamfer/no chamfer is not a problem...!
Also this player got in the ring, mint 4003 Ruby Red, will dig up more on the year
The blue burst is just so lovely, but not 100% sure with those two chips on the face...
I missed that this was in the “ring”!
Redo the pole or just get the red! Keep us posted!
Yep!
If I had the cash right now and they would ship to the states, I would get it. Right now.
4004, Correct? The one in my avatar is/was a '74 4001. Sold it off in the mid 80's to buy a (unbeknownst to me at the time that it would matter) pre EB Stingray cause I needed something more "versatile". The only bass I don't own that I still have any gas for is a nice slightly used 4004. Too cheap/tight to spend that much though. But if the right deal came along...
Me too.
Always had an affection for red basses (red is an "excitement color" you know), never knew Ric made one in solid red. That and the black/white 2018, either would be excellent additions. If I were spending your money on me I think I lean just slightly towards the red. Now that it's an option.
Yep, a Laredo (L). That was the second 4004 I owned; I had a 4004Cii (Cheyenne) that i bought in 2004. The Jetglo one I posted earlier is also a Laredo, as is the Snowglo one I have.
My vote is also for the Ruby; looks fantastic, plus the solid upgrades (Hipshot is such an improvement over either RIC bridge IMHO) make it well-priced among the 3. The 4003s is definitely a lovely bass, and perhaps the more 'practical' choice... The good thing is, I don't really think you can go wrong with any of them! Do we know what year it's made? The Ruby, I mean.
Yep, it's been 4003S vs Ruby Red in my head... I do think I'd be similarly comfortable as I always use a wristband though (don't like the stickiness of my forearm against a bass)
You’re playing in a punk band, no? I would think those two dings on the front eliminate the need for the requisite stickers…
Haha let's say I'm a very image conscious band hahaha I rather look poopy myself than the bass, don't ask me why but always liked a mint bass and tend to grow paranoid of dinks and dings
Never had a red bass now that I think about it, after having some 30 basses pass through my hands... Feels a bit like a Xmas tree eh? I think a black pickguard and truss rod would make it look a bit more sober...
This is what I'm thinking - take the rest of options, add the hipshot bridge and the bezel, and they match or so the Ruby Red, ie you get the rare colour and mint condition 'for free'.
... And well... Have a look at this video - the shop is always a bit slow/chilled on replying back and so on, BUT they're an institution down here in the UK, very good product and setup, the owner is the luthier for Sei basses...
The Bass Gallery on Instagram: "Rickenbacker 4003 in Ruby Red #rickenbacker #red #ruby #bass #4string #bassguitar #thebassgallery #classic #usa #forsale #music #bassesofinstagram"
You can tell the binding is in top shape (and so white!) and so is the rest of the bass... I was still waiting to hear more on the serial and year etc but I did grow paranoid that somebody would snap it up... I just recently lost on a mint midnight blue 4003 and felt like with some folk getting some extra money today and tomorrow it may just be gone so...
... I PULLED THE TRIGGER!!!!...
I'm in Spain for family at the moment coming back the 31st, so I've sent it over to my in laws for my return to the UK... I'll still pursue a free setup and strings and will ask the serial for year etc but seeing how mint it was it felt borderline irrelevant.
Worst case scenario I should have it easy to sell.
Out of curiosity, what years did Ruby Red run on 4003's
Ander.
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Oh!!! My luck!! Confirmed 171258, so March/April 2017!!!!!
Very nice; they made some changes in around 2015-16 IIRC, so yours should have most of the recent updates. Great choice!
First Ric problems, could you list those? Read CNC 2008 onwards, new pickups but is this both or just bridge? Are they the ji-gain ones? So many questions…! I just know I jumped at the right opportunity for the right Ric!
Ander.
