1980 4001 - no side fretboard markers?
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1980 4001 - no side fretboard markers?
Hello all
Ive just picked up a lovely early 1980 4001 from a reputable dealer here in the UK. I asked the luthier to open it up before I bought it and sure enough, everything checks out ('79 pots, Ric wiring, 2x rods etc etc). The odd thing is ive just noticed the side of the fretboard doesnt have the usual dot markers. Theres none... and there never appears to have been any as there arent any tell tale holes there where the paint would have worn off. Is it possible this one just got its markers "missed" on the production line, or did these side markers only get added on later 4001's? My '82 4001 DOES have the side dots.
Cheers!
Steve
Ive just picked up a lovely early 1980 4001 from a reputable dealer here in the UK. I asked the luthier to open it up before I bought it and sure enough, everything checks out ('79 pots, Ric wiring, 2x rods etc etc). The odd thing is ive just noticed the side of the fretboard doesnt have the usual dot markers. Theres none... and there never appears to have been any as there arent any tell tale holes there where the paint would have worn off. Is it possible this one just got its markers "missed" on the production line, or did these side markers only get added on later 4001's? My '82 4001 DOES have the side dots.
Cheers!
Steve
1975 Rickenbacker 480 Jetglo
1980 Rickenbacker 4001 BurgundyGlo
1982 Rickenbacker 4001 Cream
2002 Rickenbacker 4003 BurgundyGlo COTY
2010 Rickenbacker 620 FireGlo
2015 Rickenbacker 4003S JetGlo
2017 Rickenbacker 4003 British Racing Green Ltd Ed
1980 Rickenbacker 4001 BurgundyGlo
1982 Rickenbacker 4001 Cream
2002 Rickenbacker 4003 BurgundyGlo COTY
2010 Rickenbacker 620 FireGlo
2015 Rickenbacker 4003S JetGlo
2017 Rickenbacker 4003 British Racing Green Ltd Ed
Re: 1980 4001 - no side fretboard markers?
Just for kicks, check to see if the binding on the other side of the neck has dots.
Re: 1980 4001 - no side fretboard markers?
It doesnt...
1975 Rickenbacker 480 Jetglo
1980 Rickenbacker 4001 BurgundyGlo
1982 Rickenbacker 4001 Cream
2002 Rickenbacker 4003 BurgundyGlo COTY
2010 Rickenbacker 620 FireGlo
2015 Rickenbacker 4003S JetGlo
2017 Rickenbacker 4003 British Racing Green Ltd Ed
1980 Rickenbacker 4001 BurgundyGlo
1982 Rickenbacker 4001 Cream
2002 Rickenbacker 4003 BurgundyGlo COTY
2010 Rickenbacker 620 FireGlo
2015 Rickenbacker 4003S JetGlo
2017 Rickenbacker 4003 British Racing Green Ltd Ed
Re: 1980 4001 - no side fretboard markers?
Can you post some pics of the whole instrument?
Re: 1980 4001 - no side fretboard markers?
Hi! The link from the dealer still works... here it is :
http://www.wehavesoundguitars.com/product/809
http://www.wehavesoundguitars.com/product/809
1975 Rickenbacker 480 Jetglo
1980 Rickenbacker 4001 BurgundyGlo
1982 Rickenbacker 4001 Cream
2002 Rickenbacker 4003 BurgundyGlo COTY
2010 Rickenbacker 620 FireGlo
2015 Rickenbacker 4003S JetGlo
2017 Rickenbacker 4003 British Racing Green Ltd Ed
1980 Rickenbacker 4001 BurgundyGlo
1982 Rickenbacker 4001 Cream
2002 Rickenbacker 4003 BurgundyGlo COTY
2010 Rickenbacker 620 FireGlo
2015 Rickenbacker 4003S JetGlo
2017 Rickenbacker 4003 British Racing Green Ltd Ed
Re: 1980 4001 - no side fretboard markers?
That's weird!
Re: 1980 4001 - no side fretboard markers?
Odd isnt it? Only theory I have is that the previous owner removed them for some reason, or Ric simply missed them off when it got built. Like i said - internally everything checks out... correct serial plate etc etc... just no dots... (!?!)
1975 Rickenbacker 480 Jetglo
1980 Rickenbacker 4001 BurgundyGlo
1982 Rickenbacker 4001 Cream
2002 Rickenbacker 4003 BurgundyGlo COTY
2010 Rickenbacker 620 FireGlo
2015 Rickenbacker 4003S JetGlo
2017 Rickenbacker 4003 British Racing Green Ltd Ed
1980 Rickenbacker 4001 BurgundyGlo
1982 Rickenbacker 4001 Cream
2002 Rickenbacker 4003 BurgundyGlo COTY
2010 Rickenbacker 620 FireGlo
2015 Rickenbacker 4003S JetGlo
2017 Rickenbacker 4003 British Racing Green Ltd Ed
Re: 1980 4001 - no side fretboard markers?
Well it’s been re-fretted, so I guess it’s always possible the binding was replaced at some point earlier. Short of John Hall chiming in, we may never know.
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Re: 1980 4001 - no side fretboard markers?
I've noticed that a lot of 1974 model 4001's have red dots, but I've never seen one that had no dots.... Maybe when it was refretted, the binding was replaced?
Re: 1980 4001 - no side fretboard markers?
Think youre probably on to something in regards to the re-fret...
Forgive my ignorance, how obvious is it that the bass has had a refret without playing it? There's obviously a marked difference between this and my '82 4001 which has not had a refret (and REALLY needs it!) but im wondering what you led you guys to suggest the refret thing... does it just look "too good" for the age?
Forgive my ignorance, how obvious is it that the bass has had a refret without playing it? There's obviously a marked difference between this and my '82 4001 which has not had a refret (and REALLY needs it!) but im wondering what you led you guys to suggest the refret thing... does it just look "too good" for the age?
1975 Rickenbacker 480 Jetglo
1980 Rickenbacker 4001 BurgundyGlo
1982 Rickenbacker 4001 Cream
2002 Rickenbacker 4003 BurgundyGlo COTY
2010 Rickenbacker 620 FireGlo
2015 Rickenbacker 4003S JetGlo
2017 Rickenbacker 4003 British Racing Green Ltd Ed
1980 Rickenbacker 4001 BurgundyGlo
1982 Rickenbacker 4001 Cream
2002 Rickenbacker 4003 BurgundyGlo COTY
2010 Rickenbacker 620 FireGlo
2015 Rickenbacker 4003S JetGlo
2017 Rickenbacker 4003 British Racing Green Ltd Ed
Re: 1980 4001 - no side fretboard markers?
Unless the binding was damaged perhaps?
Refret procedure is clip the ends of the frets and you don't have to remove the binding under usual circumstances.
Same goes for most bound fingerboards.
I will say that's a puzzler for sure, I've seen red dots, but no NO dots!
Other than the ding here and there, that looks to be in great shape.
The neck binding looks a little more orange than the body edges so just well aged binding?
To me both fingerboard edges look similar and what I would expect an 80's to have.
Dirk
Refret procedure is clip the ends of the frets and you don't have to remove the binding under usual circumstances.
Same goes for most bound fingerboards.
I will say that's a puzzler for sure, I've seen red dots, but no NO dots!
Other than the ding here and there, that looks to be in great shape.
The neck binding looks a little more orange than the body edges so just well aged binding?
To me both fingerboard edges look similar and what I would expect an 80's to have.
Dirk
Re: 1980 4001 - no side fretboard markers?
Forgive me if this is a completely off-the-wall notion - I'm no kind of expert! - but the lack of visible fret dots PLUS the neck binding being more yellowed than the body binding leads me to wonder whether a previous luthier/restorer has applied a "white" lacquer/paint to the neck binding on both sides in order to cover up some kind of finish damage ...and this lacquer has now yellowed much faster in relation to the body binding?
Just speculating, like. Not trying to ruin anyone's day. It's a lovely bass!
EXTRA THOUGHT: That when it was re-fretted, a luthier re-lacquered the fingerboard with clear lacquer, which they overlapped onto the binding. Said lacquer has now yellowed. Doesn't explain the missing dot markers, though!
Just speculating, like. Not trying to ruin anyone's day. It's a lovely bass!
EXTRA THOUGHT: That when it was re-fretted, a luthier re-lacquered the fingerboard with clear lacquer, which they overlapped onto the binding. Said lacquer has now yellowed. Doesn't explain the missing dot markers, though!
2004 4003 JetGlo
Epiphone Jack Casady
Ovation Magnum 1
Mania VTB-4BS
Dean Stylist w/ John Birch Magnum II pups
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2 BFM Omni 10.5 crossfire cabs
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Epiphone Jack Casady
Ovation Magnum 1
Mania VTB-4BS
Dean Stylist w/ John Birch Magnum II pups
Yamaha BB414
Trace Elliot VA350/GP11 Mk1
Peavey TB-Raxx
2 BFM Omni 10.5 crossfire cabs
Roland Bass Cube 100
Re: 1980 4001 - no side fretboard markers?
Its quite the mystery isnt it? lol
Definitely not sending it back as its an excellent axe, and I know its legit becuase of all the other things ive mentioned... just weird that the dots arent there.
Definitely not sending it back as its an excellent axe, and I know its legit becuase of all the other things ive mentioned... just weird that the dots arent there.
1975 Rickenbacker 480 Jetglo
1980 Rickenbacker 4001 BurgundyGlo
1982 Rickenbacker 4001 Cream
2002 Rickenbacker 4003 BurgundyGlo COTY
2010 Rickenbacker 620 FireGlo
2015 Rickenbacker 4003S JetGlo
2017 Rickenbacker 4003 British Racing Green Ltd Ed
1980 Rickenbacker 4001 BurgundyGlo
1982 Rickenbacker 4001 Cream
2002 Rickenbacker 4003 BurgundyGlo COTY
2010 Rickenbacker 620 FireGlo
2015 Rickenbacker 4003S JetGlo
2017 Rickenbacker 4003 British Racing Green Ltd Ed
Re: 1980 4001 - no side fretboard markers?
Very obvious. Most luthiers refret over the binding, as here. Factory frets would be under the binding. First thing you look for on any bound board.CatHead wrote:Think youre probably on to something in regards to the re-fret...
Forgive my ignorance, how obvious is it that the bass has had a refret without playing it? There's obviously a marked difference between this and my '82 4001 which has not had a refret (and REALLY needs it!) but im wondering what you led you guys to suggest the refret thing... does it just look "too good" for the age?
Re: 1980 4001 - no side fretboard markers?
Congratulations on a really nice looking 4001, lovely Burgundy finish.henry5 wrote:Well it’s been re-fretted, so I guess it’s always possible the binding was replaced at some point earlier. Short of John Hall chiming in, we may never know.
+1 for sure it has been refretted, the fret wire runs over the top of the binding and almost the way to the outside edge
Typically the frets should run under the binding, the binding itself is well done, but it does appear to be thicker than normal
The binding at the very bottom of the fretboard is thinner than that on the neck, the thickness on the bottom is about the thickness I'd expect to see
Here's a pic of the bottom of the fretboard on my 73-4001 which shows the frets going under the binding and the similar sized binding used everywhere.
The outer white binding on the body of mine looks to be close in size to whats been used on the neck of yours. Looking at the closeup view the body on the dealer's website (triple pic) you can see where the neck binding top left has been tapered down to meet the binding on the bottom of the neck.
IMHO I highly doubt that was done at the factory
"It's Red Jim, but not as we know it...."