Dumb Early 70s 4001 Questions

[highway_star]

I'm going to flaunt my ignorance here regarding early 70s 4001s:

1) How long did Rickenbacker use the checkered binding? I recently saw a late 73 model with white binding and was confused.

2) When did the inlays change?

3) When did the neck pickup spacing change?

4) when was the switch to a high-gain in the neck made?

[paul_yan]

Hi Ron,

Let me try (correct me if I'm wrong, folks):

1)From about '66/67 to mid '73.

2)Mid '73, from full width MOP to the short resin type.

3)About '75, from 1/2" to 1".

4)Mid '73.

[admin]

Ron: Excellent questions. Not withstanding the possibility of customized instruments over the years here is my first attempt at answering these questions. I am not sure how many I will get right. These are approximations. I will leave it to the bass experts to provide the definitive answers and point to exceptions.

Checkered binding phased out (1973)
MOP Inlays phased out (1973)
Neck Pickup spacing changed (1974)
Switch to High Gain in neck (1972)

[admin]

Hey Paul. We may not be right, but were are close to agreement.

[paul_yan]

Very much agreed, Peter.

'72~'74 is a 'grey area' with so many possibilities. It was a really experimental period for RIC basses. Many transitions occured during that time. It's also interesting that red side dots seem to be exclusive to '74. '72 is interesting too as the earliest 4001 Fretless basses I've ever know are Bob Young's and my Dec. '72 4001 FL's that are only 2 serial numbers apart.

[atomic_punk]

My understanding is that mid-73 is the transition point (previous to the MJ XXXX serial number.)

[beatlefan]

I recently sold a June '73 FG that had the checkered binding, but the newer inlays and the NON-split bridge...

[squirebass]

Paul,
I believe the checkerboard binding was on the 4001 from the very beginning to mid '73 or so... I've seen multiple examples of 1963 and 1964 4001's that had it. Also, Ron, the 4001 had a period of time after the horseshoe was phased out that the bridge pickup cover was metal. I believe that ended around 1973 or early '74.

[beatlefan]

I remember a while back that JH was asking for someone to loan him one of those metal covers. I don't remember the details clearly, though......

[paul_yan]

Thanks, Gene!

[bassman]

My April 73 has checkered binding, toaster neck pickup positioned 1/2" from the fretboard, full width MOP inlays, Grover wave tuners, and the split tailpiece.
From the many 1973 4001's that i've seen over the years it appears that May through July were the months of transition where just about any combination went out the door.

I believe Paul Yan's answer above to be the correct timeline.

[rickfan60]

My '63 has checkerboard binding. I assume the 4001 started that way in '61.

The inlays changed for good sometime in '73.

1 inch space started in '75

The highgain neck pickup appeared around '72 I think.

[edski]

My 75 has the 1/2" spacing. Was made in February.

[wints]

Anyone here have a May 73 bass, or seen one. It seems to me that the April bass have the old features and then the June ones go to the smaller inlays and newer bridges. They may still have binding and the toaster but essentially the change has been made.
I can't recall seeing a May, which makes me think they may have scaled back production in preparation for the changeover, waiting for new materials etc...

[mikeylc]

I have an ME. It has CB and newer bridge, toaster, grovers and smaller inlays.