1965/66 - Were Wavy Grovers used?

[sashua]

I am curious as to whether the wavy Grovers were used on basses in 1965/1966. My '66 4001 needs an original set and I want to know whether to use the flat backs or the wavy Grovers or reverse Klusons or ????

Can the experts here offer an opinion?

-Russ

[rickfan60]

I've never seen Grovers on anything that early but never say never. A '66 4001 would most likely have had the reverse nickel tuners.

[bongomania]

I just had to post that "Wavy Grover" would be a fantastic band name.

[rickaddict]

69's were the first Ricks to have the box-back Grovers AFAIK, but the keywinds are flat. Mid-way through '72 the flatties were replaced with the wavies.

[leftybass]

There were some '68s that used the non-wavy Grover tuners.

Russ, IMHO your bass should have nickled Kluson Tuners with a slot-head gear screw.

Look at Tony's '64 4001 and you'll have your answer, or pics of any RM 1999.

[sashua]

Thanks guys,
That's what I figured. Haven't seen the wavies on the 60's models but then I haven't really seen that many 60's basses up close and personal.

[pacealot]

One way to confirm is to check the footprint on the back, and look for the small routed relief holes which would indicate the presence of the Klusons before they started using the rubber spacers in the mid '70s, as shown here on Andy Winter's green RM:

[sashua]

Those are the ones!
Anyone have a set of these from the 60's with slotted posts that they are willing to sell?

Pleeeeeeeeze!

Russ

[FabGearHead]

Russ, if you can find a set on eBay, that would be easiest for you. The later Klusons have a Phillips screw holding on the gear, but you can change it out for a slotted screw. Good luck!



Jim

[sashua]

Excellent!

Just to put this question that is still irking me to bed...

So the wavy Grovers were not around in the mid 60's then?
Just curious...does anyone know when they came into being?
I could swear that I've seen them on 60's basses before.

~Russ

[leftybass]

Excellent!

Just to put this question that is still irking me to bed...

So the wavy Grovers were not around in the mid 60's then?
Just curious...does anyone know when they came into being?
I could swear that I've seen them on 60's basses before.

~Russ

WAVY Grovers weren't used on a 4000/4001 until early-mid 1972.

From what I have seen, Non- Wavy Grovers started showing up on 4001s in the latter half of 1968. Andy Winter's '68 is a December bass and has them IIRC.

[wints]

John,

My Dec 68 has Klusons,


but my Feb 69 has Grovers. I think Kev's 4000 bass, one after mine, does too.

I can't recall seeing a 68 with Grovers. Jeff Rath's Sept had them too IIRC, but, of course, YMMV here as we all know.

Forgotten how bad the 64 headstock looks . Those holes are larger than standard having been fitted with those oversized Schallers back in 70's.

The Kluson's are easier to find than the flat Grovers. Some Gibson basses from this period have them too IIRC. They do appear on eBay now and then.

[leftybass]

John,
My Dec 68 has Klusons,


but my Feb 69 has Grovers. I think Kev's 4000 bass, one after mine, does too.

My '69(April) has Klusons, with slot-head gear screws....but underneath are dowelled-holes of a Grover footprint. This is something about my bass that I can't tell whether it was meant to be this way or the tuners are a later replacement. They are correct for earlier Rickenbacker basses. Since they are left-handed gearing, they may have been laying around and were used up when the bass was made. YMMV.

I can't recall seeing a 68 with Grovers. Jeff Rath's Sept had them too IIRC, but, of course, YMMV here as we all know.

Forgotten how bad the 64 headstock looks . Those holes are larger than standard having been fitted with those oversized Schallers back in 70's.

The Kluson's are easier to find than the flat Grovers. Some Gibson basses from this period have them too IIRC. They do appear on eBay now and then.

Here is a pic of the peghead on the '69 with the Klusons. Bascially what you'd see on most 4001s from 1963-1968.

[2112]

I cant believe that Rickenbacker thought that those cheezy Grovers were actually good tuners. I received my 4080/12 with those on it.
Talk about UGLY and a horrible gear ratio.
Those tuning machines were ****.
I guess they only serve an "OEM" spec., because I dont think that there would be a whole lot of people clammoring to the nearest guitar store to buy up those as replacement tuners for their basses.

Grover DID make a better "wavy" tuning machine, but they dont fit on the Ricks headstock. Unless you're Geddy Lee, and somehow he got them to fit on HIS bass. There is a reason to upgrade the tuning machines that come with a stock Rickenbacker bass. Probably the same reason that the bridges get replaced.

[ram]

I have 'em on my '74 4001 and I like 'em... I have never had a problem with them (knock on wood)... Have the orig bridge and tailpiece there as well and only have a little bit of life - no biggie.... different strokes for different folks I guess.