4001 on ebay?? I dunno......comments???

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Sat Apr 19, 2003 1:07 pm

There are some strange things about this one, and I think IMHO it is counterfeit..it has quite a nice look though....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2524907813&category=4713

Check the tuners for a start.....

bassman · Post by **bassman** » Sat Apr 19, 2003 1:33 pm

I must concure John. The tuners are obviously not original Rickenbacker factory installed tuners. Notice the crushed pearl inlays? I see there's no serial number given either, but a new stereo input jack is being provided due to some rust on the original, how convenient. I just emailed the seller asking him to let me know what the number is.
The headstock shape seems not quite right to me, especially the cutaways below the E and G strings.

jeff_ulmer · Post by **jeff_ulmer** » Sat Apr 19, 2003 2:04 pm

I'm not expert, but it looks mighty fake to me. The headstock is wrong to start with, not to mention the tuners.

bassman · Post by **bassman** » Sat Apr 19, 2003 2:37 pm

The seller just got back in touch with me to say that the original input jack plate has been replaced with a new one because of corrosion.
The claim is that the serial number on the original was NR 2200 which is a dead give away right there as this combination could never have existed in the old serial numbering system. It would mean N = 1974, R = no such month. The last letter used for the month back in 1974 would have been L/M for the month of December.
This bass just doesn't look right to me.

jwilli · Post by **jwilli** » Sat Apr 19, 2003 3:12 pm

That headstock is wacky. I do like that personalized case though.

mortivan · Post by **mortivan** » Sat Apr 19, 2003 5:07 pm

The upper strap button is not a RIC part either. I can't see the bottom one.

tsarter · Post by **tsarter** » Sat Apr 19, 2003 5:43 pm

Well, for the sake of the buyer (at $800) I certainly hope you are all wrong!

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Sat Apr 19, 2003 9:11 pm

that is a Rickenfaker ... made in Japan ...

rickcrazy · Post by **rickcrazy** » Sat Apr 19, 2003 11:54 pm

No, we are not wrong, Tim: it is another copy being passed off as a genuine Rickenbacker instrument.

tsarter · Post by **tsarter** » Sun Apr 20, 2003 4:48 am

What a shame. If the seller did this knowingly...

I hate it when that happens.

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Mon Apr 21, 2003 4:08 pm

It's baaaack.....this time with fewer pictures...