Writing under the pickups

markmez · Post by **markmez** » Tue May 03, 2005 12:55 pm

Hi there, I just found your site and think it's pretty cool!
Here's my question, in the routing under the pickups there's writing that someone in the factory wrote at time of production. Under the neck p/u are the words 'Ram On' along with what appears to be initials BB or RB. Now under the bridge p/u written quite nicely are the words 'The Walrus Special'.
My bass is a 4001L sn OG 3969 and I bought it brand new in 1977 from Whittier Plaza Music in So Cal. It's a Maple Glo with black pickguard and nameplate.
Are some Rics named or was someone havin' a little fun at the factory?

admin · Post by **admin** » Tue May 03, 2005 1:05 pm

Welcome to The Rickenbacker Forum Mark. Someone was just having a little fun at the factory. Certainly references to Paul McCartney. With any luck we will find out who BB or RB was at RIC.

johnhall · Post by **johnhall** » Tue May 03, 2005 1:16 pm

Richard Burke

markmez · Post by **markmez** » Tue May 03, 2005 1:22 pm

Are you seriously telling me that this guy is the guy who made my bass? I think I'm gonna cry! Is he a member of this board?

johnhall · Post by **johnhall** » Tue May 03, 2005 1:27 pm

He's a long retired factory manager, 40+ years of service to the company beginning, as I recall, in 1958. I'm pretty sure he knows what a computer is but I guarantee you'll never find him on the Internet!

He's probably not the only "RB" to work in the factory over the years but he's one that came to mind for me.

markmez · Post by **markmez** » Tue May 03, 2005 1:43 pm

Well, thank you very much for the info. I really didn't think the CEO of RIC would answer my question.

Thanks again!

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Tue May 03, 2005 2:09 pm

Very cool. Cavity graffiti is pretty interesting. I have never seen one quite like yours though. Paul Boyer should get a picture of that one for his book. There is something in spanish in the truss pocket on my 2030 but I can't make out all of the words.

A while back G&L found out that some of their assembly staff was marking bodies with gang tags.

markmez · Post by **markmez** » Tue May 03, 2005 2:39 pm

I'll get my son to take a picture and I'll post it as soon as I can.

ken_swearingen · Post by **ken_swearingen** » Tue May 03, 2005 3:06 pm

Yes Mark, it is pretty cool the CEO chimes in once in a while.I can guarantee they don't hear from Leo fender over at the fender site.

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Tue May 03, 2005 3:08 pm

They may, over at the psychic friends hotline though....

rickenbrother · Post by **rickenbrother** » Tue May 03, 2005 3:11 pm

Ken, that would be pretty amazing if they did hear from Leo! LOL

dean712 · Post by **dean712** » Tue May 03, 2005 3:15 pm

How involved a process is it removing the pickguard from a 4003? Believe it or not, although I've been a 4003 owner for 11 years now, I have never done that myself. (I just did my first setup a month or two ago, thanks to help from y'all). I know the knobs probably have to come off; what about the toggle?... the neck pickup? I'm on the road right now for business, so I don't even have a bass to look at here.

It would be fun to take a peek under the hood, so to speak, and see what's down there.

ken_swearingen · Post by **ken_swearingen** » Tue May 03, 2005 3:37 pm

I'm sure Leo would have loved seeing his beloved basses being beaten up by his custom shop.

paul_yan · Post by **paul_yan** » Tue May 03, 2005 3:38 pm

Consider yourself lucky for owning a special 4001, Mark. Cavity writing in RIC instruments is a little ritual to give souls into each of them. "Ricks have souls," as they say. Oh, and welcome aboard.

Dean, it's easy. Just loosen and remove the pickguard screws and then loosen the strings a bit.You can then remove the guard easily. While you're at it, it's also a good time to remove the 4 screws of the treble PU surround. While lifting the pickup (with its surround), be careful not to break the wire between the pickup and the controls.

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Tue May 03, 2005 3:43 pm

Dean, one more thing be careful not to scratch the little edge between the pickguard and the edge of the guitar with the metal stuff underneath, and if it is a tight fit you may have to loosen the strings a little more. I don't loosen the treble ring unless I want to clean under it near the edges which isn't a bad idea if it was never done.