Non-Tiltback headstock of my Oct."72 4001 Fretless

paul_yan · Post by **paul_yan** » Wed May 21, 2003 11:56 pm

Hello gang,

My Oct.'72 4001 FL MG (# LL1758)

Her headstock doesn't tilt back.

Does anyone know why?
Was it common practice in the (early?) '70s?

Bob (Young), does your '72 4001 FL JG has the same style headstock?

ojobob2 · Post by **ojobob2** » Thu May 22, 2003 12:05 am

Paul - ive only ever picked up and played three ricks. A 4003 from 1991 - which i ended up buying, and a 4001 and 4000 both from 1975.

Both those 70's basses had straight headstocks.

Right now i am looking at the cover of my "The complete jam" DVD. Bruce Foxton's rick bass can be clearly seen, and has a non tiltback headstock.

ojobob2 · Post by **ojobob2** » Thu May 22, 2003 12:06 am

oh by the way, thats a VERY nice bass

dano · Post by **dano** » Thu May 22, 2003 12:38 am

Hello Paul,

Nice fretless. I think this was (maybe still is) common practice to have the headstock straight on the fretless. This might reduce fret buzz and allow lower action. There may be other reasons as well.

ojobob2 · Post by **ojobob2** » Thu May 22, 2003 12:50 am

as far as i know, the head was eventually tilted back (when the 4003 was introduced?maybe?) to stop the open strings ratttling in the nut.

As we all know, a fender has a straight head, but with that little guide to secure the D and G from rattling in the nut. On my fender, the A (which does not have a guide) ratlles in the nut when hit a bit hard.

dano · Post by **dano** » Thu May 22, 2003 1:00 am

Just checked my '79 4001 and the headstock is straight. My '98 v63 however is tilted back.

paul_yan · Post by **paul_yan** » Thu May 22, 2003 1:19 am

Thanks.
You guys were quick!
Nice to learn new things everyday.

The non-tilt headstock of my fretless does not cause any open string rattles. I however feel that the non-tilt design philosophy makes the truss rod nuts a bit difficult to access with a socket driver because of the reduced nut-to-back wall distance. This litle inconvenience aside, she's a fine fretless bass!

I've got the black RIC tapewound strings on her now, which are lighter in tension than the flats that came with her and are warmer sounding than conventional flatwounds though not as loud.

She plays better and looks classy with the black tapewounds.

paul_yan · Post by **paul_yan** » Thu May 22, 2003 1:29 am

Oh, by the way, my '98 4003 FG is 5 years old today.
Please say "Happy Birthday Annie!"

dano · Post by **dano** » Thu May 22, 2003 1:37 am

Happy Birthday Annie!

Like a fine wine...she improves with age.

eddier · Post by **eddier** » Thu May 22, 2003 3:03 am

Happy Birthday Annie!
Great photo Paul.

paul_yan · Post by **paul_yan** » Thu May 22, 2003 4:05 am

Hey thanks, Dan and Edmond.

Correction:
My Fretless is a Dec. '72 instead of Oct. (Maybe my head was thinking about my Oct. '86 Shadow when typing...)

dminer · Post by **dminer** » Thu May 22, 2003 10:50 am

Paul, maybe YOUR HEAD was tilted back...just kidding, but I couldn't resist..back to the topic, my 76 4001 has the straight headstock...no problems whatsoever.

dminer · Post by **dminer** » Thu May 22, 2003 11:00 am

footnote...
67 4005 =angled headstock
87 S8 =angled headstock (though it doesn't look as angled as the 67)

rickcrazy · Post by **rickcrazy** » Thu May 22, 2003 12:01 pm

Paul: close examination of your pic reveals that there is indeed a very slight but definite headstock pitch to your Rick. I think that the total absence of headstock pitch would compromise strength in that particular area of the neck.

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Thu May 22, 2003 12:43 pm

Hi Paul,
I am in Perú and haven't seen my 72 FL in about five months (she's back in Massachusetts), I'll let you know in a few weeks, I have a 79 4001 here, I'll check that one tonight, it seems like you question was already answered though.