Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I guess that at this point, I'll continue to assume that the bass left the factory with the toaster. Thanks for the responses!

Thanks for the replies.

Unfortunately, the solder connections won't help as I replaced the pots back in the 1980's. I've attached a photo of the underside of the pickup when I last had the pickguard off.

I know that there aren't specific dates for feature changes on all things Rickenbacker, but does anyone have any idea when the toaster ceased to to be standard equipment on the 4001?

The reason I ask is that I have an August '74 4001, which I bought used in August 1977, and it has had a toaster on ...

Like many things in life, the journey rather than the destination, is what really makes for interesting conversation. An old guitar is certainly no exception, and I always love to find out as much as possible about a piece I may own.

This forum has been a wonderful conduit for just that...

Nice ...

I'm actually more interested in whats happened through the years to my 1st 2 rics. A 4001 I bought in 74 & sold around 80 & a 4000 I bought in 80 & sold in the late 80s. They were both sold on consignment so I don't even know who got them. The 4001 went through a lot of stupid changes while I owned ...

'm not sure I want to know this any more than I want to know about my wife's ex-boyfriends.

Arrrrrrgh. Spoilsport. :) Makes me wonder what you do with your basses. :)

I don't place my instruments higher than the people in my life, but they do come in top of the list of just about all my ...

No, not that kind of talk, but rather relate a bit about its history.

Back in 1977 I bought a used white Rickenbacker 4001 from Bananas At Large in San Rafael, CA. It is a 1974 with black binding and pickguard, and a toaster in the neck position. The sales guy couldn't find the case that belonged ...

Paul, if you're referring to my post, I was referring to the original sleeve for this LP - not the discs themselves. It was with some type shiny foil-like material and had very much a metallic odor. This foil sleeve was not used for the entire production run - being changed to a different material ...

Ken, that tailpiece of yours looks great. That's closer to what I wanted mine to look like, but I had to do it with a hacksaw, files, and a handheld drill. Talk about low-tech! When I my new DR strings arrive, I'll post a full photo of my work for all to ridicule.

Bill, I also saw referenced a set ...

In November 1989 I requested and was granted a brief visit to the Rickenbacker Museum. This bass was one that I noticed and, because of its oddness, I made sure my then girlfriend took a photo of it. I never forgot about that bass and in November 2001 contacted John Hall about it. He wrote back ...

Yes Cassius, I'll clear that up for you right now [pulls out podium] :) . For a taperwound to be effective, the section of the string with fewer wraps must pass over the bridge. On a stock Rickenbacker 4001/4003, the distance between the ball end and the bridge is too great for any taperwound string ...

Ask and ye shall receive. Don't let the large screws frighten you. Please ignore the grounding wire, I was apparently too lazy to route it so it wouldn't be seen.

Dane, this mod helps me with sustain too but I was just too chicken to permanently alter my tailpiece.

Very late to this party, but my C58 had no damage to the finish underneath that thumbscrew. There was, however, a shallow impression underneath the end of one of the springs near the end bracket. The shallow case also gave me a cracked pickguard at just about the same place as Lennon's, but at a ...

This was the first Beatles LP that I bought new. I probably bought it at Musicland in the Sun Valley Mall, or at The Wherehouse in Park And Shop. (Hello to all those who know what I'm talking about.)

What I remember most about that album is the metallic odor it had! Man, it was strong and was there ...

Do any of you use taperwounds on your 4003S/5? If so, what set did you find that has enough taper to fit the stock RIC tailpiece, or did you find it necessary to make a modification to the bass? I'm asking because I've always wanted to refinish my '86 4003S/5 and never see a white bass other than my ...