Sweetwater AUT/CB LE (30)

[ilan]

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/4003CAUT--rickenbacker-4003-stereo-bass-guitar-autumnglo-with-checkerboard-binding

[gearHed289]

Weird that they have it listed as a 4003S with the CB and triangle inlays. It does appear to have a mono output though.

[ilan]

Stereo or mono, that's definitely a deluxe model. The S designation must be a mistake. I'm also not sure about it being ATG, the bass looks glossy enough to be a WAL. Maybe they called it ATG not to confuse it with current W models.

[Paul Boyer]

It is we the consumers who have connected the "S" with the down-trimmed, twin-pickup 4000 series bass. The company seems to think of "S" as meaning "special". Or it could just be a simple mistake. No biggie. You should get what you see.

[ilan]

Rickenbacker has been very consistent with the 4000-Series S designation, from the 4001S through the 4002S, for unbound & dot-inlay models only, haven't they?

[morrow]

It's weird to call it an S model with binding and inlays . Do the new ones have a single truss rod ?
I'm also really happy whenever they break out the checkerboard binding .

[ilan]

From what I see they do single truss rods only on models without access to the acorn nuts through a neck pickup rout, i.e. the 4002S or Al Cisneros sig. Paul, am I right?

[Dave W]

Doesn't look glossy to me. I agree with Tom about the mono output. Whatever the designation, it's very nice.

[Paul Boyer]

The fact that this particular issue has: 1. Checker binding. 2. A non-standard finish (Autumnglo or whatever). 3. A matte finish. 4. Standard output only. All of those are "special" and they were made for this vendor's special order. So if we accept the fact that the factory uses "S" for special at their discretion, it's an S.

I think they are trying out the dual-action single truss rods and they are perhaps not limited to just the AC or some of the other experimentals. Seems to me we've seen some standard production models with the single rod, but I'm not keeping track. Anyone else know?

[ilan]

Paul, from what I remember, special models (other than signature) were traditionally designated SPC. The S has always been reserved for down-trimmed basses.

EDIT: Look at the specs, at the bottom - "Manufacturer Part Number: 4003-AUT-CB". And Dave is right about it being matte - "Body Finish: Satin".

[Jeff Scott]

Paul, from what I remember, special models (other than signature) were traditionally designated SPC. The S has always been reserved for down-trimmed basses.

My Jetglo 4004L is designated 4004L SPC.

Hope this helps.

[doombass]

EDIT: Look at the specs, at the bottom - "Manufacturer Part Number: 4003-AUT-CB". And Dave is right about it being matte - "Body Finish: Satin".

Also, just below the top headline reading: "Item ID: 4003CAUT". The "S" designation might as well be just an honest mistake by whoever put that page up.

[gearHed289]

The "S" designation might as well be just an honest mistake by whoever put that page up.

That's what I'm thinking.

[ilan]

You can also put in an order for a 4003 SMG/CB - Satin MG with checkerboard.

I think RIC should offer CB as an option, for an upcharge.