Layout of 4001 volume and tone controls

[daveman]

Apologies if this is an old topic. I've noticed variation in the layout of the tone and volume controls on 4001 basses. Some are laid out with the controls parallel to the horizontal plane of the instrument, like so (my bass - 1973):

while others are laid out with the controls at an angle, like this (from the Gallery - said to be 1978):

Is there any rhyme or reason to this?

[johnallg]

David, I don't remember the year, but the pattern was changed in the mid 70s to the non-parallel style. Been that way ever since.

[jps]

David, I don't remember the year, but the pattern was changed in the mid 70s to the non-parallel style. Been that way ever since.

Not since the '00s approximately, they are basically back to the parallel layout.

[daveman]

I've just looked through the photos in the Gallery to see if I could tell when it "switched over." The first "angled" layout is in 1977, and they're all like that in 1978 and following until the end of the original run of the 4001. The parallel setup comes back with the reintroduction of the 4001 with the CS and v63 models (1990?). So I've answered my own question. Thanks.

[johnallg]

David, I don't remember the year, but the pattern was changed in the mid 70s to the non-parallel style. Been that way ever since.

Not since the '00s approximately, they are basically back to the parallel layout.

Jeff, I had to look - my 2004 had the parallel layout! I never noticed, but then it was never an issue. Thanks for adding.