Andy, FYI the "click to learn more" links in this paragraph don't work: "For the past thirty to forty years Rickenbacker has quietly set aside a portion of their capacity for “special” guitars. In the 1990s, the Signature Limited Edition models (click to learn more) filled that slot. In the early 2000s it was “Color of the Year” (click to learn more). Since then, it’s been “special runs”
re: "Macassar ebony fingerboard with black and white “eclipse” position markers..."
and:
"removing the checkered binding and moon inlays..."
Per RIC's spec on these, they're "bullseye inlays".
re: "Twenty-five were produced in June and offered to high-volume US dealers. Most were sold before they reached the dealers’ showrooms..."
and:
"And that would be the end of the Noir story if Rickenbacker’s Japanese distributor didn’t beg for a 4003 Noir for the Japanese market." "And so an early 2017 run produced about fifteen identical 4003 Noirs which likewise sold out almost immediately in Japan. So that’s the end, right? "
You're forgetting a run of these, the Sweetwater Noir edition run. so 61 noir basses across the runs...
Andy, FYI the "click to learn more" links in this paragraph don't work: "For the past thirty to forty years Rickenbacker has quietly set aside a portion of their capacity for “special” guitars. In the 1990s, the Signature Limited Edition models (click to learn more) filled that slot. In the early 2000s it was “Color of the Year” (click to learn more). Since then, it’s been “special runs”
Thank you sir, and fixed!
Being the proud owner of one of Mr. Babiuk’s 1-of-25 Jetglo 360’s, I love seeing and learning about the special run stuff.
In fact, I adore all of these articles that you publish, Mr. White, and I thank you profusely for them.
Love the look of them, but I’d probably replace the chrome screws with black ones,too…..
Really really love the laser etched TRC.
re: "Macassar ebony fingerboard with black and white “eclipse” position markers..."
and:
"removing the checkered binding and moon inlays..."
Per RIC's spec on these, they're "bullseye inlays".
re: "Twenty-five were produced in June and offered to high-volume US dealers. Most were sold before they reached the dealers’ showrooms..."
and:
"And that would be the end of the Noir story if Rickenbacker’s Japanese distributor didn’t beg for a 4003 Noir for the Japanese market." "And so an early 2017 run produced about fifteen identical 4003 Noirs which likewise sold out almost immediately in Japan. So that’s the end, right? "
You're forgetting a run of these, the Sweetwater Noir edition run. so 61 noir basses across the runs...
see:
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/4003NOIR--rickenbacker-4003-stereo-sweetwater-exclusive-noir
I even had the Sweetwater guitars called out in my notes! Thanks for calling it out. Have edited to reflect your comments.