Yet another '72 & it's FG...!

ken_swearingen · Post by **ken_swearingen** » Tue Aug 30, 2005 12:09 pm

It looks as though the bass was owned by one of us,looks like there small changes to keep it looking original and playing OK but using factory stuff.The treble PU looks to be a newer high gain,the knobs have been changed for vintage style knobs,The nut looks to be original[the only factory white nut was on the v63] the whole tailpiece assembly has been changed for newer,this all being said we can probably guess all components have been either gone through or replaced, the case looks to be a reissue, I think in 72 the cases were black with red lining.

ken_swearingen · Post by **ken_swearingen** » Tue Aug 30, 2005 12:13 pm

actually i think that surround is correct.

ken_swearingen · Post by **ken_swearingen** » Tue Aug 30, 2005 1:07 pm

Good possibility its a re fin,the only times you really see an imperfection like the one in the picture,is when there was a screw hole someone plugged with a toothpick or something then refined over it,if thats thew case could be trouble under the pickguard.

dswp · Post by **dswp** » Tue Aug 30, 2005 2:14 pm

Now that I look at it again, the tuners look funny too.

However, the checker binding and the MOP inlays look all Ric.

wints · Post by **wints** » Tue Aug 30, 2005 2:18 pm

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7342667286

Check it out compared to the 72 Fretless. It does look similar. The nut is not original. They should be the white version from this period.

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Tue Aug 30, 2005 2:34 pm

"...The nut looks to be original[the only factory white nut was on the v63]...."

The nut on my left-handed '72 (Oct.) is white and factory original.

Has anyone been e-mailed the serial number..?

The surround on my lefty '72 has no cut-out relief whatsoever, even though some basses have this. The cutout on this bass's surround may be an owner mod to lower the action, or something to that effect. Better pics are in order...

walrus · Post by **walrus** » Tue Aug 30, 2005 3:31 pm

I think it's real but had the bridge and knobs replaced for some reason.

Remember, this is from the transitional period. Rickenbacker has been known to have parts that are not of the exact period, due to shortages or leftovers. That could probably answer most of the issues except the bridge and knobs.

From what I have read here and other places, the treble surrounds varied significantly during the early years. I have seen very sharp corners, no cutout relief and full cutout relief.

My '71 has those same tuners (Sealed Grovers, without "wavy" ends that show up on the next few years). The nut on mine is white, did the '73 have a black nut? Transitional??

During the late 70's, it was very common to replace the nut with a brass one and install a Badass Bridge. Perhaps this one was a casualty of those times and one of it's owner's wanted to bring it back to original spec with current parts. Hence the black nut and current bridge style.

It's hard to tell from the picture, but if that finish imperfection is not wear, I would suspect that it was originally a painted color. A quick removal of the pickguard should clear that question up.

marc61 · Post by **marc61** » Tue Aug 30, 2005 4:39 pm

Good luck Ken, looks like the one!

ken_swearingen · Post by **ken_swearingen** » Tue Aug 30, 2005 4:43 pm

Ive emailed the seller a # of times with no response asking all the same questions were asking here.

bob_atherton · Post by **bob_atherton** » Tue Aug 30, 2005 7:24 pm

Guy, I was just messing about when I said I thought it might be a faker.

I'm sure it is the real deal, and a beaut. I also have seen many variations on treble surrounds on 72's. Mine has no cutout relief, but could do with some as the strings are very close to it.

FWIW I think it's a refin. That mark near the P/U is a giveaway to me. I've got one very similar on my refin. All that said, it looks one hell of a bass.

ken_swearingen · Post by **ken_swearingen** » Tue Aug 30, 2005 11:53 pm

Bob ,Id have to agree with you as i said before i think its a refin those marks are ussually screw holes filed in with a toothpick then finished over.Its hard to get the dark rust stains out making it very noticeable,we know it didn't leave the factory with that on it.

bob_atherton · Post by **bob_atherton** » Wed Aug 31, 2005 3:16 am

Ken, even so, go for it, it is truly a fantastic looking Ric.

Nice V63 you bagged the other day.

All the best, Bob

david_schwab · Post by **david_schwab** » Wed Aug 31, 2005 9:54 am

On my older '73 (with checkerboard, split bridge) the treble pickup surround does have the full length cutout relief, while my newer '73 (no checkerboard, non split bridge) does not. Both basses have black nuts, and the wavy sealed Grover Super Rotomatics. This is the same shape as the surround on my basses.

ken_swearingen · Post by **ken_swearingen** » Wed Aug 31, 2005 10:13 am

Thanks Bob,the v63s at Mike Dolins getting its neck trimmed down.Dave I'm convinced that all Ric's for the most part had black or Bakelite nuts except maybe a few exceptions[the v series..] I don't know for certain so i guess why argue the point.

wints · Post by **wints** » Wed Aug 31, 2005 11:03 am

The basses from around 71 to 73 came mainly with white nut from what I have seen. Bob's 71, John's 72 and my 73 all have the white nut and are all original.

There may be a black nut used there sometime, but I think the white were the norm.
Of course, not many originals left now...

Ken's still out in front on the bidding. Has the seller got back to yet Ken? Kicking the Emp's a$$ too!