1968 4001 Restoration - assistance needed

[aceonbass]

First round of photos for those interested:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/ ... sp=sharing

Looks like there will be some serious routing to deal with due to the bridge pickup being moved closer to the bridge.

[squirebass]

Yeah, that bass is deceptive in that you don't really see all the pickups on it at once. It really NEEDS more mini-switches on it!

I wonder if there is a way to place a block of maple into that cavity to strengthen it once you get it all back to original order. I'm sure it looks like a swimming pool route under the hood!

But what a cool bass, and the neck is just beautiful! A real challenge I'm sure, but I'm betting it will reap some really nice rewards when you are done...

And I keep counting 21 frets?!?!?

Best of luck with it, and keep those pics coming!!!

[sounderstudios]

The electronics were completely dead when I acquired the bass. The P pup was not even connected and I knew I wasn't going to keep it in the mix.

[prowla]

The electronics were completely dead when I acquired the bass. The P pup was not even connected and I knew I wasn't going to keep it in the mix.

You could just leave it there as a talking point.

If you want to get a ready-made wiring harness, the RickySounds bloke on ebay does things.

[aceonbass]

I've seen the Ricky Sounds harnesses. Not bad really, but way over priced for harnesses with standard components in them. They don't even match their pots.

[prowla]

I've seen the Ricky Sounds harnesses. Not bad really, but way over priced for harnesses with standard components in them. They don't even match their pots.

Alternatively, you can buy Ric pots from Rosetti http://rosetti.co.uk/Browse/Accessories/Rickenbacker and make one up.
They're not cheap, though.
(If I were doing it, I'd put in the vintage/modern switch pot too, as it is a very subtle mod.)

[libratune]

Those tuner posts look huge, not original.

[chefothefuture]

And I keep counting 21 frets?!?!?

Looks added.

[sounderstudios]

Those tuner posts look huge, not original.

Yes, they were changed to Schallers at some point. My goal is to return it to its sonic glory. As with any restoration you have to make decisions about what will remain and what will be replaced. It will be a fun project and I'm certain it will be hitting a stage soon. To me, that's much better than sitting in a closet unloved.

[prowla]

Holy camoley - there's almost no bass left under that pickguard; I'm surprised it's not folded over on itself!

[aceonbass]

Larry Davis took a bass with worse routing, and repaired it by routing 1/4" of the top off just inside the binding so that the binding could be saved. Then a precision cut two piece laminate was cut to replace what was removed.

[henry5]

Larry Davis took a bass with worse routing, and repaired it by routing 1/4" of the top off just inside the binding so that the binding could be saved. Then a precision cut two piece laminate was cut to replace what was removed.

Larry made a great job of it, judging by the pictures. Of course I never got to see it in the flesh but that's a whole other story (and nothing to do with Larry BTW, who was an absolute star). Good luck with your restoration.

[wints]

Larry has done much more to much less!

Nothing here that can't be fixed with time and money!