The Eagle has landed...1971 BG 4001

[ajish4]

As promised,

Here are a few hasty shots of the new arrival. Sorry for the poor lighting quality, but I had to do this fast, and the battery in the camera was dying to boot!

I haven't played the bass for more than just a few moments. Everything works perfectly, a little scratchy pot noise, but all in working order. The Grover tuners (to my amazement) work perfectly as well.

The bass is actually kind of dark, it lights up when the flash from the camera hits it. There is some really nice grain on the back of the bass. I haven't cleaned her up at all, this is how she arrived.

It DOES have a little neck seperation (up to the second fret) but my luthier gave it the once over yesterday and said the neck is overall sound, but does need to be repaired. He can't get to it until after the New Year, so she'll just sit here until serviced.

It sounded kind of thin at low volume, so I just gave it a quick blast on my old Hartke stack and cranked the volume, BIG DIFFERENCE. Please keep in mind, I'm very partial to the 1973-1979 4001's. I don't know why, I guess because that is the time era I used to see growing up. I REALLY love the 1974 MG & 1978 ATG neck on my other basses.

The neck on this bass seems about the same as my 1974 (THNNER than the 73 BG I recently sold) but until I get it properly repaired, I can't tell for sure because of the slight lift. The rest of the neck is APPARENTLY dead straight according to my luthier.

Ok, enough about all that....here are the pictures.....more to come soon!

[anoukane]

[ajish4]

Some more pictures....

[lucky]

Lovely looking bass,i like the headstock with the walnut wings.

[woodyng]

very nice,tony-that is a really gorgeous color!

[teeder]

Very nice!

PS. I got the email, Tony.

[elysrand]

Some more pictures....

Absolutely gorgeous, Tony! As you know, I am VERY partial to 1971 4001 BG myself!

Nicely done, ya goombah!! Welcome to the 1971 BG Club

[leftybass]

Cool. I love how the binding has ambered on it as well. You're gonna love this one man.

[brycycle]

NICE Tony!

[rickaddict]

Cool! Congrats, Tony!

[rickaddict]

It sounded kind of thin...

Maybe its time to remove the Vise-Grip from it's privates. (.0047 cap)

[jdogric12]

Way to go Toneman. Looks real nice. It makes me want to say,.... "Hey Tony, c'mere!!!!"

[ajish4]

Thanks everyone, I apprecaite the feedabck.

Woody, I have to admit, BG never was one of my favorites, but I think after she gets cleaned up, I just may change my mind about that.

I really did get lucky this time.

Here are a few more shots....

Elys, considering its age, not too bad I guess. It's lighter than I would have imagined, I just ASSumed that the older, the heavier... but this one is really light.

I also assume, that I should try to keep it as original as possible? It looks like the ONLY thing not original is one screw on the jack plate. It appears to be a totally original guitar. The wiring (according to my luthier) was never messed with, even the original mute is there (it's shot, but there) and it works! I guess I'll never find an original low clearance bridge pickup cover, huh? Anyone, anyone???? C'mon GOOMBAH...help out a Rickenbrother!

That pitted tail piece is going to bug me though! I guess getting it re-chromed is a no-no?

I'll give it the Scratch X & Zymol treatment when the fingerboard is reset. It looks like given a little elbow grease, it should really shine.

Is there ANYTHING about these early ones I need to be aware of that differs from the later 4001's & 4003's?

Thanks again everyone, glad to rescue this one...it sure wasn't being treated like the sweet thing she is!

[ajish4]

Way to go Toneman. Looks real nice. It makes me want to say,.... "Hey Tony, c'mere!!!!"

Thanks Jdog, but Janey has that base covered now!

Hmmm, better not give the boss any ideas about those vise grips! LOL..

[captsandwich]

That bass is gorgeous.

I'm not so sure about the bedspread, though.
Good luck with the waiting, I'm sure that would drive me nuts.