Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I found out what happened to the finish around the D-String tuner. Many many years ago my friend lost the nut while changing strings and put on a replacement that was a bit larger. A while later in found the original piece and put it back on. So that doesn't answer any of the mystery. My friend als...

I'm still wondering what's up with the second photo- in particular the finish around the D-string tuner. It seems to indicate to me that a finish had been reapplied to the head and there was some kind of washer or larger tuner bezel in place, that was subsequently removed. That could have been done...

There was some writing on body cavity "4001-M-W Lopez MA5DA". I'm not sure if there is any significance in that.

I just found out that the 1978 bass in the comparison photos has replaced pickguard so they won't match up evenly. I was going through the case and found receipts from previous owner from more than 20 years back.

Truss Rods look original according to Dave.
Here's a screen grab from Dave's video on Youtube from 9:02 mark of the video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJjaynfWLb0

To see under the pickguard see Dave take it apart on Youtube. Dave as accomplished luthier says there is no sign of replaced fretboard but looks factory finish to his eye.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJjaynfWLb0

"In the late sixties the factory also made some 4001 basses with ebony fretboard."

These photos show comparison with my 1978 4001.

Is it possible that this 1976 Ricky without triangle fret markers is a 4001 V63 model? This is what I know about the bass. My friend purchased it in 1984 as it now is. Obviously, the nut has been replaced with a new brass nut before that time. There has been speculation that that fretboard has been ...