LeftyBassist.com

https://www.guitarcenter.com/pdp/produc ... 5114232165

On my phone and it's bright here, so I can't vouch for anything.

GC photos probably look better in those conditions.

What a great finish! Is that what they call desert burst? And it looks like a S model? Seems rare.

Looks Tobacco-burst to me, although RiC prefer to call the burst effect "glow". It is an "S" style.
Funny how for a Vintage the store don't list the serial date. That's one of the easiest facts to find out for a Rickenbacker.

The title/link to the listing says it's a 1989 4003S. Title isn't in the listing itself, but shows up on a search.

Also says it's Fireglo.

I just read some TB posts about some 4003s from the late 80's and they've been described as having thin necks. Not saying this one has a thin neck, but still.

If I wanted a Ric with a thin neck, I'd jump on this.

GC says you have 3 days from the "purchase date" to return vintage instruments. Not sure how they define "purchase date" on shipped items.

I think you mean "glo," and it's not just the burst, the all-black is "jetglo"

doesn't look like fireglo at all to me, could be autumnglo

I say it's Wonderglo.

+1 for Autumnglo

Remember with Guitar Center, you pay for it then you can have them ship it to your local store where you can pick it up and play it right there. Then if you don't like it you can return it at your local store.

That's what I was thinking.

A no risk, high reward proposition. There seems to be good praise for the 4003S's from that era. And this is a not-so-common color.

But... their return policy on vintage instruments is 3 days from "purchase date." And this is listed as "vintage." So if you purchase it today, and it doesn't arrive at your local store until 5 days from now, can you still return it after you play it? I can't imagine you can't, but...?

I guess if anyone's really interested they can confirm with GC themsevles. I'm just curious.

When I bought a vintage instrument from GC, they gave me three days from when I went to the store. It arrived and it took me a few days to get to the store (in fact, I think I was out of town), and they said I had three days from the time I picked it up. Of course, I would call to 100% confirm the policy, but in my case, it was fine to take the risk and just have it shipped so I could check it out in person.

When did Ric started doing proper lefty headstocks?
Mine and others I've seen (vintage) have a righty headstock.
The one GC says is vintage has the proper lefty headstock shape.

I didn't think they made any lefty headstocks until reviving the lefty line some time in the 2000's.

But I also didn't think they have made any autumnglo since the old vintage runs.

So, I'm not sure what to think about this bass.

I think having the righty headstocks make more sense anyway. And the righties should have lefty headstocks. This way it put puts the stagger of the two lowest string tuners closest to the nut. It actually looks wrong, IMO, with the true lefty headstock, having the two highest strings closer to the nut and the low E string spanning down the headstock further. Again, IMO

I believe the lefty headstocks began in 1988. I read that on rickresource.com (forgot the link, but you can google "rickenbacker lefty headstock rickresource" and find it.)

Also, I suspect that this bass is fireglo, given that the pics were taken in poor lighting and that reds can be really tricky to accurately capture in pics. Moses is right - the only burst finished offered in 1989 was fireglo and Ric don't do custom colors.

But I'm just guessing, really.