How can I date, by pot codes?

[randyz]

John: Very good point. Many people misunderstand what they are looking at. Date codes on components only prove that a guitar was built no earlier than the date indicated. Anyone who has ever spent time around manufacturing knows that inventory doesn't always get properly rotated and everything gets used up eventually.

[doctorwho]

How true. My 4001 Walnut came with an anomolous jackplate, so I pulled the pickguard and looked at the pots. They had date codes from 1973, but the bass has none of the earlier-than-late-1973 features, so it's probably from 1974.

[ratso]

Randy said "Anyone who has ever spent time around manufacturing knows that inventory doesn't always get properly rotated and everything gets used up eventually."

I agree with the first part of that sentence but I'm not sure about the last! The reason I say that is..if that were true how do you explain all those NOS 50's Ric's in the basement vault at Rickenbacker? LOL

[jwilli]

I believe Gary is right. 24th week of 56 and 46th week of 55.

[randyz]

Ron: I said 'eventually'. Those NOS 50's Ric's in the basement vault may start shipping tomorrow!

[chefothefuture]

That's why with Ricks, I always say:
Features, Features, Features!
And that even has some moments of doubt:
I've seen 4001 pegheads from the 72 to 74 era
with both early and late "A" and "D" string peg placements.
And what of the 76 on ebay as we speak with 1/2 pickup
spacing?

[rickcrazy]

This one?


All parts on it being original to it, it can not be a 1976 4001. It probably was made in late 1974/early 1975.

[chefothefuture]

Yep-
That's the one....
Sure is purty though....
I agree on the likely build dates.