Help identifying year, 1978?

[(wwh)]

Hi,

I’m new to the website, thanks for having me and I hope I haven’t posted this in the wrong place.

I have owned a 4003 in the past and just recently purchased this 4001, I was wondering if there is anyway to easily date the year of manufacture, I was told it’s 1978 but I am interested to know what you think.

Thanks,
Will.

[(PunchyStrummer)]

Have you checked the jackplate? The serial number, if it's on there, can be decoded at Rickenbacker's website.

[(ram)]

The decoder can be found here:
http://www.rickenbacker.com/service_serials.asp

[(sfuentes)]

http://www.the-music-connection.com/ricinfo.htm
This is a particularly useful cheat sheet if you're just starting out.

[(wwh)]

Thanks for that, unfortunately the numbers on the jack plate have mostly been lost to time.

[(bassduke49)]

Can you post a photo of the jack plate? The two letter (or numbers or combination) at the "top" of the jackplate are a date code. The "bottom" numbers are a serial. The digits are stamped in, so you should still see them.

[(jps)]

Thanks for that, unfortunately the numbers on the jack plate have mostly been lost to time.

The digits are stamped in, so you should still see them.

Yeah, the S/N can't be "lost to time" unless the plate is seriously rusted.

[(antipodean)]

Thanks for that, unfortunately the numbers on the jack plate have mostly been lost to time.

The digits are stamped in, so you should still see them.

Yeah, the S/N can't be "lost to time" unless the plate is seriously rusted.

Or the plate has been replaced....

[(cjj)]

Thanks for that, unfortunately the numbers on the jack plate have mostly been lost to time.

The digits are stamped in, so you should still see them.

Yeah, the S/N can't be "lost to time" unless the plate is seriously rusted.

Or the plate has been replaced....

Or it's not actually a Rickenbacker. The case isn't...

[(jps)]

The bass looks quite real, to me.

[(chrisdski)]

If no plate pull the pick guard off and find the dates of the pots (if they are original). There may be some markings in the routed out area also.

[(bassduke49)]

Certainly the case is not a Rick case, but made to fit one (or may have come with a Rick copy). But the chassis and hardware look genuine to me. I'd still like to see the jack plate.

[(sloop_john_b)]

That is 100% a real Rickenbacker.

[(doctorwho)]

If no plate pull the pick guard off and find the dates of the pots (if they are original). There may be some markings in the routed out area also.

+1

The pots have date codes that will help in establishing an approximate date for it.

[(wwh)]

Thanks for all the info guys. The bass is getting a setup at the moment so I haven’t been able to get a picture of the jack plate but I’ll take one once I get it back.