The Last Bass Outpost

I'm not an expert on after-market parts, but it looks like the "original" tailpiece that is included (photographed separately, not the Hipshot installed) might be an All-parts tailpiece/bridge with the center "tooth" notched out to make it look more vintage. It is definitely not a '72 tailpiece. The other details on the bass look right for a '72.

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?

I've read it somewhere, can't remember where. Now you got me curious: do you have the numbers?

Not in my book. Maybe a comment by John Hall somewhere? Eventually, Red was discontinued, and Midnight Blue switched over the chrome/white trim in 1999. Midnight Blue was dropped recently after a 34 year run.

"Red" when it was a stock RIC color (1985-'98) came standard with black trim and hardware. You had to pay extra to get the chrome and white, called "reverse trim" at the time. Or you could do it yourself, but you'd have to buy or swap with someone. But on models with binding, you would have black binding too, and that's not easily "reversed."

Like the opening scene of the innards of the Melotron!

Not.
Even.
Close.

Factory modified, you mean? Because the chassis has a bound body and neck and an 8-string headstock.

Yes, as I stated in my third sentence. If this is indeed from 1983, it would have been made at the tail end of the 4008 production and before the 4003S/8 came along (1985). It has all the features of the typical (but rare) 4008 with the addition of the deluxe fingerboard and the bound body. Interesting note: The typical 4008 had a bound neck, but not a bound body. There was no binding on the 4003S/8 body or neck.

At assembly, all of these parts are interchangeable. The core is the neck-through blank; obviously, the 8-string has a longer headstock, but otherwise the necks were the same. The body wings are cut, and if bound, the binding is added BEFORE the wings are glued to the neck-through assembly. The fingerboards are separately milled and assemblers pick them out of a container. I'm not sure, but I think the boards are sanded and contoured before being added to the neck. And I think if it is a bound neck, the binding is added after the board is on the neck and the frets added. So it's quite possible for this particular bass was made to a special order, on the assembler's whim, or by mistake. No harm, no foul - somebody bought it.