1969 4000 MG

[Top Gun]

Here are various shots of my 1968 RIC 4000 Bass. It is 100% factory original. It is in 9.5 condition with only some very minor marks on the back (nothing through the finish). It has a stunning Fireglo color and weighs only 8.5 pounds.

It is one of the earliest RIC non-horseshoe basses. The pickup is a very early “hi-gain” that differs from any other’s I have seen (It’s similar to some of the early “hi-gains” as seen on early RIC 381’s) - the bobbin is a milky-white clear color with different looking pole-pieces… very unusual; I have NEVER seen one like this before.

It sounds amazing and has unbelievable output...

The CTS pot codes date to: 8th week of 1968. The jack-plate dates to: November 1968

[s4001]

Very sweet example. It has the same flame grain that my '68 does. Bet it sounds great!

[berth]

Here are various shots of my 1968 RIC 4000 Bass.

Nice Bass! (And I dont even like FireGlo.)

[rickcrazy]

My, look at the great condition that beauty is in! As for the high-gain pickup on it, you sure got me curious. Care to post a picture of it, Mac?

[wints]

Beautiful bass Mac...

You are right, one of the first without the HS. A MG 4000 with a Nov jackplate sold a few years ago, and up until your post was the earliest I had seen.

I have a Dec 68 in much the same condition as your bass, also without the horseshoe, and, a Feb 69 that does have one!

I'd like to see a few pix of the p/up as well...

[Top Gun]

These are the best photos I can provide without removing the cover (please don’t ask me to remove the cover because I WILL NOT: the cover has NEVER been off this bass guitar).

As you can see, the bobbins are not painted black with rounded “nubs” for each individual pole-piece. These bobbins are an un-painted, milky-clear or off-white color (with “screws” as individual pole-pieces). Very early and rare!

Like I said, this is one of the earliest 4000/4001 non-horseshoe basses I have ever seen…

[dswp]

Nice one Mac.

Man that is a clean one....

[cheyenne]

Very nice Mac. I really like the 4000. I could have bought a Jetglo (unknown year) back in the late '70's at a pawn shop in Dayton OH for $325.00.

That was alot of money for me back then. The damn thing was mint though.

Welcome to the forum.

[wints]

That looks like a typical green bobbin with screw polepieces from this period, from about mid 68 until 70.

Jeff Rath has a good photo of one in his old Sept 68 bass with the horseshoe...

[Top Gun]

Sorry if I described the color of the bobbins wrong. Either way, I know that this is an early hi-gain pick-up.
Here are some additional photos of my 68 bass...

[ben_brown]

Hey Mac...welcome to the forum. That is one beautiful bass. Tell me...is the pickup cover plastic or metal

[johnallg]

Beautiful, Mac. By chance do you know if it is routed for a pickup at the neck position? Just curious. Great FG color and aging.

[ben_brown]

More pictures please. That is one hell of a bass. Absolutely stunning!

[Top Gun]

Yes there is a FACTORY rout for a front pick-up under the pick-guard (just like an original Fender Esquire)… However, no other pick-up has EVER been installed in this bass.

[rick_ovic]

You have a stunning example there, Mac. I love the pictures...thanks.