78 vs 79 4001
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78 vs 79 4001
Are there any differences between the 78 and 79 4001?
I've searched, and I read on Ric's forum that in 79 the headstock logo became raised letters instead of the plexi covered logo like it is on my 78.
I think the original pickups were defective. The bridge pickup had no body, and it was incredibly weak. I put in the toaster and horse shoes, and it came to life. I find them a lot more powerful than the original pups, even the neck pickup.
I've searched, and I read on Ric's forum that in 79 the headstock logo became raised letters instead of the plexi covered logo like it is on my 78.
I think the original pickups were defective. The bridge pickup had no body, and it was incredibly weak. I put in the toaster and horse shoes, and it came to life. I find them a lot more powerful than the original pups, even the neck pickup.
All the world's a stage, albeit with mountains, plains, oceans, rivers, buildings, towers, animals, humans, plants, and Armour's Spam.
Re: 78 vs 79 4001
I ordered a '79 4001 MG new from the House of Guitars (on layaway) and it indeed had raised letters on the TR cover.
Other than that I don't know of any other differences.
That would be a cool factoid to know.
I eventually sold it to my room mate which funded my '69, so basically an even trade! Really wish I still had both.
Speaking of pickups, had an old Hi-A (pre-bartolini) in the neck on the '69, and a pair of Bartolinis in my '81 4003.
No shaming of other pickups from me.
Dirk
Other than that I don't know of any other differences.
That would be a cool factoid to know.
I eventually sold it to my room mate which funded my '69, so basically an even trade! Really wish I still had both.
Speaking of pickups, had an old Hi-A (pre-bartolini) in the neck on the '69, and a pair of Bartolinis in my '81 4003.
No shaming of other pickups from me.
Dirk
Re: 78 vs 79 4001
I had a February 1978 4001 (until it was stolen in ’89), and it had raised letters on the TRC. I’m pretty sure my buddy’s ’76 also had a raised logo. I would think that a previous owner may have swapped covers on yours.
--Bob
2015 4003 FG
1992 4003FL FG
1983 4003 WAL
Gone (stolen) but not forgotten, 1978 4001 WHT
2015 4003 FG
1992 4003FL FG
1983 4003 WAL
Gone (stolen) but not forgotten, 1978 4001 WHT
Re: 78 vs 79 4001
No, I bought mine brand new on Christmas Eve in 1978. But you know how guitar factories are--leftover necks from a previous year on current year bodies.farace wrote:I had a February 1978 4001 (until it was stolen in ’89), and it had raised letters on the TRC. I’m pretty sure my buddy’s ’76 also had a raised logo. I would think that a previous owner may have swapped covers on yours.
But, what I read said it only changed in 79. This was discussed by people who own them. I don't know the exact link, but I did a search on Talkbass for 78 79 4001.
I am such a newbie to the history of the instrument that I wouldn't stake my big toe on that info.
All the world's a stage, albeit with mountains, plains, oceans, rivers, buildings, towers, animals, humans, plants, and Armour's Spam.
- sloop_john_b
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Re: 78 vs 79 4001
A plexi TRC is NOT stock on a 1978 4001. These were phased out in 1975.ch willie wrote:Are there any differences between the 78 and 79 4001?
I've searched, and I read on Ric's forum that in 79 the headstock logo became raised letters instead of the plexi covered logo like it is on my 78.
I think the original pickups were defective. The bridge pickup had no body, and it was incredibly weak. I put in the toaster and horse shoes, and it came to life. I find them a lot more powerful than the original pups, even the neck pickup.
Edit: Just saw that you're a lefty! In that case, plexi it is, was, and always will be.
Last edited by sloop_john_b on Mon Sep 21, 2020 10:53 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: 78 vs 79 4001
I just noticed the lefty in your avatar. Perhaps they hadn’t gotten around to making lefty raised-letter TRCs yet?ch willie wrote:No, I bought mine brand new on Christmas Eve in 1978. But you know how guitar factories are--leftover necks from a previous year on current year bodies.farace wrote:I had a February 1978 4001 (until it was stolen in ’89), and it had raised letters on the TRC. I’m pretty sure my buddy’s ’76 also had a raised logo. I would think that a previous owner may have swapped covers on yours.
But, what I read said it only changed in 79. This was discussed by people who own them. I don't know the exact link, but I did a search on Talkbass for 78 79 4001.
I am such a newbie to the history of the instrument that I wouldn't stake my big toe on that info.
--Bob
2015 4003 FG
1992 4003FL FG
1983 4003 WAL
Gone (stolen) but not forgotten, 1978 4001 WHT
2015 4003 FG
1992 4003FL FG
1983 4003 WAL
Gone (stolen) but not forgotten, 1978 4001 WHT
- bassduke49
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Re: 78 vs 79 4001
They never got around to making a lefty raised letter TRC - ever. There are no lefty raised-letter TRCs. The mold made for the raised-letter TRC is for right-handed instruments, and if I am not mistaken, is a universal item that fits most right-handed basses and guitars. Some trimming may be needed. The mold MAY be several "up" - that is the mold may be capable of having more than one TRC cast on the same shot. The mold also allows for castings in different color plastic, such as the black ones applied to 4004 and some other models.
All the lefty TRCs have been back-painted clear acrylic, either the original lefty "smiley" or the current "frowny."
All the lefty TRCs have been back-painted clear acrylic, either the original lefty "smiley" or the current "frowny."
Author: "The Rickenbacker Electric Bass - 50 Years As Rock's Bottom"
Re: 78 vs 79 4001
That would have been the cap. Your bass had a stock .0047μF bass-cut capacitor on the bridge pickup. Just shunt it - it's the smallest of the 3 caps, no need to even remove from the harness - and you will not believe the difference.ch willie wrote: I think the original pickups were defective. The bridge pickup had no body, and it was incredibly weak. I put in the toaster and horse shoes, and it came to life. I find them a lot more powerful than the original pups, even the neck pickup.
"A Noble Instrument Must Be Nobly Regarded"
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Re: 78 vs 79 4001
The February 78 4001 I used to own, had a raised letters TRC
Re: 78 vs 79 4001
I'm under the impression back painted plexi covers pop up randomly for at least a few years when they would run out of raised covers at the factory and had to produce more....(I've got a 1980 that has what I believe is a stock backpainted cover). I think the plexi cover remained in place for black and lefties for quite a while.