Model identification please

astrothedude · Post by **astrothedude** » Wed Nov 06, 2002 8:53 pm

Hi
I found an old Rickenbacker bass,serial number ?e 2135 (the ? is probablyan M). I was told it's from 1972 though Its probably from may 73 by its
serial number. It has one pickup, two controls, 20 frets, mono output, split PU guard and dot inlays. Is there a way to find out what model it is and maybe get a price estimation ? was the 4000 the only model to answer for this specs ?

thanks a lot
itai

headbanger · Post by **headbanger** » Thu Nov 07, 2002 3:49 am

M=1973 & one pu, dots & no binding make it a 4000 but split pickguard is either a crack or a replacement. Hard to tell without a pic. Hope this helps a bit.

astrothedude · Post by **astrothedude** » Thu Nov 07, 2002 4:40 am

could it be that in 73 the pickguard for the 4000 was split ? it aint a crack anyway.

thanks
itai

headbanger · Post by **headbanger** » Thu Nov 07, 2002 5:39 am

The only split pickguard (I could be wrong) came on the early 4003 circa 80-82. This was because the truss rod adjusment was at the body end. I'm not aware of this feature on any other models. Time for someone more knowledgeable than me to chip in here.

rickcrazy · Post by **rickcrazy** » Fri Nov 08, 2002 5:28 am

No doubt a pic would help solve the mistery. Then again, maybe someone made a new, two-part pickguard or simply split the original one in two (beats me why). I'm pretty sure that only the early 4003 basses came with a split pickguard. Anyone?

astrothedude · Post by **astrothedude** » Fri Nov 08, 2002 1:32 pm

a picture might take some time but it looks just like the one in the 1975 update of the 4000 at the rickenbacker home only with split PU guard,
so I wondered maybe it's an early version of some sort. any other thought ?

banta · Post by **banta** » Fri Nov 08, 2002 7:33 pm

Only the early ('79-'84) 4003 had a split pickguard. Sounds like a 4000 with an aftermarket or replacement pickguard.

doctorwho · Post by **doctorwho** » Sun Nov 10, 2002 11:55 am

Here's a picture of of the one-piece pickguard on my 1977 4000 FL BG.

I've seen pictures of 4000s here and there, and none had a two-piece pickguard.

weemac · Post by **weemac** » Mon Nov 11, 2002 10:49 pm

I had a 75 4000 and it had a split scratch plate, as near as I could tell it had been there since it was new. I have also seen one other with the split. so there must be at least a few of them out with this feature.

astrothedude · Post by **astrothedude** » Fri Nov 15, 2002 2:35 am

thank you all
ill try and get a pic as soon as i can..

thanks again
itai

astrothedude · Post by **astrothedude** » Fri Nov 15, 2002 2:41 am

thank you all
ill try and get a pic as soon as i can..

thanks again
itai