could these knobs be stock?

[brycycle]

this is a photo sent to me by the seller of this Dec '73. everything seems to be original, down the the case and polish cloth. but i have never seen stock knobs w/o lettering.

are these more than likely aftermarket, or a briefly utilized stock item?

thanks for the assistance.

[elysrand]

These knobs are available from Radio Shack and a number of other electronics parts outlets. They are standard items in the industry, identical to the design Rickenbacker uses - except they lack the screen-printed lettering. IMHO these are most likely replacements installed by a former owner, unless the former owner (unlikely) used a solvent on the real Rick item that took the lettering off.

I have never seen non-screen-printed shiny-top knobs shipped on an OEM Rick of this vintage and model. There is a non-zero probability that it could have happened, but the odds are astronomically-high against it.

[brycycle]

thanks Elys, follow-up on you determination, would a current set of knobs (as avail. at the Ric 'boutique') be a straight swap? that is, do they still use the same set screw fastening system and would 'fit' older pots?

[ben_brown]

They should be exact replacements as long as the original solid shaft pots are intact. Have you removed one of these knobs yet? Do they have a brass insert where the set screw threads into or are the set screws threaded into the black material?

Elys...I thought the Radio Shack ect. knobs were a bit different in shape and design....

[johnallg]

I also thought there was a period about when Bryce's bass was made that RIC used these type knobs without the printing. Where's jwilli when you need him?!

[brycycle]

yes, where is he? i'd hate to remove these only to find out they were original all along!

[jakeox]

I can't find the thread right now (OK, I'll be honest, I didn't try all that hard), but maybe a month back there was a similar discussion. Several people reported having this exact style knob, some of whom seemed sure they were original to the bass. My July '73 has these, and I know they've been on the bass since at least 1980. So while some people were sure these could not be original, other people seemed to present evidence that they could be original. For what that's worth!

[brycycle]

well, thanks for keeping the hope alive Jake!

[brycycle]

found that post Jake.

i counted 4 forumites who have basses from this period (Dec '73 to ??? '74), with these 'blanks'.

Alex offered the insight that he contacted someone at Ric about this sometime ago who explained that they ran out of the lettered knobs for a time...sounds like a plausible reason.

[elysrand]

thanks Elys, follow-up on you determination, would a current set of knobs (as avail. at the Ric 'boutique') be a straight swap? that is, do they still use the same set screw fastening system and would 'fit' older pots?

A current set would be close. Remember, though, it IS possible that these came from the factory like that, so it bears checking. I just have never seen any on all the basses I own from this era, that's all. It is a small family-owned boutique factory, so anything is possible!

[elysrand]

They should be exact replacements as long as the original solid shaft pots are intact. Have you removed one of these knobs yet? Do they have a brass insert where the set screw threads into or are the set screws threaded into the black material?

Elys...I thought the Radio Shack ect. knobs were a bit different in shape and design....

Hi Steve! I have bought knobs from Radio Shack seven times over the past ten years, and of those seven sets four were identical, and three had some small differences. I guess Radio Shack changes vendors themselves from time to time

[elysrand]

found that post Jake.

i counted 4 forumites who have basses from this period (Dec '73 to ??? '74), with these 'blanks'.

Alex offered the insight that he contacted someone at Ric about this sometime ago who explained that they ran out of the lettered knobs for a time...sounds like a plausible reason.

Cool - anything is possible

You would think, though, that the factory would have honored any warranty claims to replace those knobs when the customers discovered it, though, in 1974

[brycycle]

i'm fine with them...as long as they are stock.

[brycycle]

another example of the blank knobs on a late '73 (in stock at The Good Guys):