How to find the original finish

gareth · Post by **gareth** » Wed Apr 27, 2005 5:34 am

What's the best way to find out in what finish a 4001 (or any other Ric for that matter) was originally shipped in ? I'm thinking about restoring a bass to it's original glory.

incubus2432 · Post by **incubus2432** » Wed Apr 27, 2005 5:49 am

About the only way would be to look in the routed area under the pickguard/TRC for traces of the original color. When that fails or if every nook and cranny are painted over just start sanding.....

basshawk · Post by **basshawk** » Wed Apr 27, 2005 6:46 am

A look under the pickguard of my 4000 reveals that it was originally fireglo (natural now). Also when you look under those areas, if they are fully painted (no fading to natural wood in the middle of the cavity) - that is probably an indication that the bass has been repainted.

doctorwho · Post by **doctorwho** » Wed Apr 27, 2005 12:44 pm

I'm not positive, but I think if you e-mail Rickenbacker Service, they can look up the serial number and tell you what it was when it left the factory.

Correct or not, Kenny?

gareth · Post by **gareth** » Wed Apr 27, 2005 4:14 pm

Thanks. I'll try a mail to the factory and see how that turns out. It looks like the bass might have been a white/cream originally, with black TRC and pic guard. If that's the case, I'll get it back to that color. I'll get some pictures up of it soon.

doctorwho · Post by **doctorwho** » Thu Apr 28, 2005 10:19 am

Gareth, if the original color was indeed white, you have the option of having it "real" white or "vintage" white. Here's a good example of the two:

gareth · Post by **gareth** » Thu Apr 28, 2005 11:13 am

They both look really nice. I think it would be more like the bottom Ric there though. Mine has black binding though. I'm going to try to find any catalog pictures or options for that year to really nail it all down.

Does anyone know if a 79 4001 came in white with black binding, pickguard and TRC ?

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Thu Apr 28, 2005 12:12 pm

I had an early 80's 4001 like that.

bob_atherton · Post by **bob_atherton** » Thu Apr 28, 2005 10:04 pm

Gary, that vintage white looks stunning....! Love the way the pure white picguard shows off the mellowing.

doctorwho · Post by **doctorwho** » Fri Apr 29, 2005 7:01 am

Yep, it is one very sweet bass.