Dating Rickenbackers Without the Serial Number

[admin]

Would you be able to provide information regarding features of Rickenbackers, other than the jackplate serial, that may be helpful in dating the instrument? Outside of the knowledge of what instruments or specific features were introduced during a particular period, can you provide hints with respect to specific code numbers on potentiometers, capacitors, cavity markings and so on, that might assist in dating Rickenbackers should the jackplate be missing?

[Mark]

You know I wouldn't go out with just anyone that has no serial number!

[Mark]

okay here is the real answer;

I don't know if CTS pot have always been used or not,lets assume they were not ...here are the pot codings to several USA componant manufacturers

CTS=137
Centralab=134
clarostat=140
Stackpole=304

in a six digit code the 4th digit corresponds to the last digit of manufacture.More often than not the 6 digit coded pots were used until 1960 and after that the 7 digit system went into use.This is basically the same but;
in a 7 digit code ...the 4th and 5th digits corresponds to the year the pot was made.
One last piece of pot trivia...the last 2 numbers tell you what week of the year it was made.
Now thats some real trivia!

The easiest way to date a Rick is the fretboard/neck and then combine it with the pot codes.
The error in pot codes are two fold;
1- they can be replaced
2-just because a pot code says that it was made in 1965 doesn't make the guitar a 1965 guitar.If the manufacturer got a real deal on pots in 1965 but had to buy a train load of them ,then you might have pots that lasted a few years.

The hash markings in the body made by Dick Burke are beyond me.this "coding" (if you want to call it that ) was never fully explained to me.It was only an in house system for knowing how many of what body shape went from the woodshop buildings to the finishing building.
Beyond that ...it's all a guess.Only dick might be able to tell you ,and he doen't own a computer and he's retired and definately gone fishing.

[Mark]

Another thing,If you really want to know structural stuff...this can get nit picking.

I suggest as a reference for anyone a book;

Gruhn's Guide To Vintage Guitars by George Gruhn and Walter Carter ISBN#0-87930-195-3

This has been recently updated and is excellant.Any guitar enthusiast should have a copy.

[kiramdear]

Wow, here's an ancient thread and one that's ripe for resurrection. I took some shots under the pickguard of my anomalous 4001 and the pot codes are evident on some.

here's the cavity with its various markings:


If I interpret correctly would my pot codes indicate a week 12 1978 date on the pots?

[jwilli]

"If I interpret correctly would my pot codes indicate a week 12 1978 date on the pots?"

Correct.

[kiramdear]

That's great, John. This is the first tangible dating I have on this bass. So it would have been assembled sometime after 12/78, unless those are replacement pots. Doesn't look like it unless it was done at the factory, but I'm no expert. We had previously thought it was a '76 or '77. Are there any other clues beside pot dates?

[chrisdski]

~~"If I interpret correctly would my pot codes indicate a week 12 1978 date on the pots?"~~

I'm reading these pots as 1981. 137 = CTS manufacturer, then 2 digit year date 81- I can't make out the week which would be the last two numbers. Pots do help to narrow down a manufacture date, and the pot dates tend to run a half year give or take prior to guitar assembly IMHO.

Here is my pot from my 1974 4001

http://www.rickresource.com/register/vi ... 1%26sn%3D#

[kiramdear]

Well, we're narrowing it down a bit, that's good. Any other clues? someone familiar with the instruments coming out of the factory in those years may be able to add something. I'm just hoping for the best-informed guess.

[beatlefreak]

It's probably as close as we'll get. And it is always possible it was made a year or more later. The pots with those date codes could have been in inventory for awhile.

[kiramdear]

So it's probably '82, '83 maybe? Are there any design changes from that window of time that might say something, neck width, trim, things like that?

[beatlefreak]

Since the pot codes are 78, it could be as early as a 78, but no earlier than that. And it can't be any later than when they stopped making the 4001, which was when - 1983? I don't know of any design changes during those years, but I'mno bass expert. Perhaps Paul Boyer or Joey could give oyu more info.

[chrisdski]

Ok, I am going to give you a date of 12-3-1981. Your pots date to 1981. I also notice the numbers penciled in the pot route (1 12-3). Look at my 08-1982 4001 pot route picture (hyperlink below), and notice 82-7-7-14, and the same signature as yours (Zana). I take my penciled numbers to mean it was constructed July 1982, either 7th thru the 14th, or the person spaced and wrote the 7 (July) twice and its July 14. My serial plate dates to August 1982. Unfortunately mine didn't have the original electronics, so I can't give pot info on this bass. So I take your pencil numbers to mean 1981, December 3rd. I bet your serial plate would have been between December 1981 and February 1982. Of course, all this can be bogus

http://www.rickresource.com/register/vi ... .1%26sn%3D

[beatlefreak]

My mistake. It should have been '81 -'83. I went too far back in the thread and picked up on the incorrect 1978. I didn't see your earlier post, Chris.

[kiramdear]

Cool, thanks, guys. What Chris says seems to make sense. That Zana was a busy little inspector...