http://cgi.ebay.com/RICKENBACKER-4003S-WITH-CUSTOM-ALEMBIC-FEATURES-4003_W0QQitemZ220001657682QQihZ012QQcategoryZ4713QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

UP FOR BID IS ONE RICKENBACKER 4003S THAT APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN GONE OVER BY SOMEONE AT THE ALEMBIC STUDIO. RIC SERIAL NUMBER INDICATES A FEB ?84 BIRTHDAY. FROM THERE, IT IS ALLEGED, AN ALEMBIC EMPLOYEE TOOK IT IN AND ADDED SERVERAL NICE TOUCHES INCLUDING: REFRET JOB WITH LOW GLOSS FINISH ON ROSEWOOD BOARD, ALL ALEMBIC ELECTRONICS ? 2 PICKUPS; MASTER VOLUME; PICKUP BLEND AND INDIVIDUAL LO-PASS FILTER SWEEPS FOR EACH PICKUP, CUSTOM PICKGUARD, ALEMBIC KNOBS, INSET INTO THE BODY ARE BRASS FERRULES FOR EACH OF THE PICKGUARD SCREWS. THIS LAST TOUCH HAS BEEN AN ALEMBIC TRADEMARK FOR YEARS(IT PREVENTS DAMAGE TO THE WOOD) AND IS THE MOST TELLING FEATURE THAT THIS WAS MORE THAN A SIMPLE PICKUP SWAP. I DID SPEAK TO MICA WICKERSHAM AT ALEMBIC BUT SHE WAS UNABLE TO CONFIRM ACTUAL FACTORY INVOLEMENT. IT SEEMS MANY OF THEIR EMPLOYEES BRING IN PET PROJECTS AT ONE TIME OR ANOTHER. HOW DOES IT SOUND? JUST LIKE ANY HIGH END ALEMBIC ? A DRY CLEAN TONE WITH A CERTAIN ?QUACK? TO THE ATTACK AND A LINGERING SUSTAIN. SUBTLE MANIPULATION OF THE LOW PASS FILTERS BRINGS OUT A WIDE SPECTRUM OF USABLE TOMES FROM EARTH SHATTERING LOWS TO LOFTY INFINATE-HEADROOM HIGHS. SO WHY AM I SELLING? I AM A MUSICIAN WITH THE TYPICAL MUSICIANS DISEASE. I ALWAYS WANT NEW GEAR SO ONCE AND AWHILE I MUST CLEAN HOUSE SO I CAN GET NEW STUFF. I WILL MISS THIS BASS BUT MY LOSS IS YOUR GAIN. YOU WILL NOT BE DISSAPOINTED IN THIS ONE. THIS IS FOR SALE LOCALLY SO I RESERVE THE RIGHT TO CANCEL AUCTION AT ANYTIME. BUYER TO PAY SHIPPING AND HANDLING PROBABLY AROUND $50 OR SO. I SHIP TO THE LOWER 48 STATES ONLY. I ACCEPT MONEY ORDERS, CASHIERS CHECKS, AND PAYPAL. THANKS FOR LOOKING AND GOOD LUCK BIDDING!

I just love conversions like this that are not obvious.  From across the room this would look like a perfectly normal 4001, UNTIL you plugged it in.  Now whoever buys this should get that replacement HipShot Ric bridge and you'd REALLY have a stealth Ric that would own whatever stage it's on.
 
Extra style-points awarded for using the big Series knobs ! !
 
J o e y
 
(Message edited by bigredbass on June 27, 2006)

Tried to post before but got an error message.
 
Before I was addicted to Alembics, I was a heavy Ric user.  I declare myself in on this one too.  May the best Club member win.

Alemric-
There once was a man from Venus- Oh never mind.

I showed this to a Ric-fiend friend of mine. He's mad at me, now. He has a P bass and wonders what the resale value would be. I suggested the best way to find out was to buy this Ric, then sell the P. He's still not speaking to me.
Very appealing modifications.
Curious - the knob pattern looks off for a 4003 and the pick guard looks like a semi-successful home job.
Geez, I might need to sell my remaining Fender...

I have a 4003S and can see right off that the switch is missing.  I'm at work and can't verify this, but suspect that the function of these knobs (one of them pans) makes the switch unnecessary.

yes, it is. that would explain the custom pick guard...

Custom, and/or broken in two?

my guess is both. the absence of the stereo mono switch says it's custom, read: home made. I can't imagine why the guard would be in two pieces (the cut doesn't look very clean). Still, if the winner posesses even modest abilities with tools a replacement could be made.
Warmoth sells a variety materials to make your own...tortise shell would look pretty cool with the natural wood.
I'm afraid to check the auction.

The bass just went for US $1,025.00?......24 bids, I think.......uh....wow...

It looks like DWMark is the luck winner.  When it arrives, you'll have to tell us about it.

Overall, a strange auction.  Was suspicious about the low feedback bidders.  But just over a grand for a 4003S isn't bad.  And, one with Alembic electronics and PUPS and newer frets. . . .  
 
All I'll need is something better for a pickguard.  And, maybe I'll take bigredbass's advice on the bridge.
 
dw

The guys at the Rick forum said that same bass sold last year for $1500.  
It looks like you got a good deal.

Hey David,
 
If you decide you don't want to keep it, drop me a line!  
 
My sniper malfunctioned, and never fired!
 
Thanks!