1978 4001 Truss Cover Conundrum

[markus44uk]

Hi all:

I recently acquired a 1978 Mapleglo 4001 in London. It came with a black Truss Rod Cover with silver letters and it looks to be a rather old one at that. I think its plexiglass with the straight edges and a little wear-and-tear. The pickguard was spraypainted black as well. I had Ken at Ric look at a closeup photo and he seems pretty certain its a legit TRC

It only has the Made In USA lettering at the base and no model number (I thought I read somewhere here that Ric put the model number on the TRC until the 80's...so I guess that make the TRC at least a post 1980 model...

The binding is not black so I am pretty certain that the original TRC and pickguard were white. (This is true yes?) I'd really like to get the color scheme back to original spec (even though I know I will be cheating with the replacement pickguard and TRC). I don't think the pickguard is original as it has tapered edges and I think I read somewhere that the vintage 4001's had straight edges (like the black TRC cover I have now). Is this true also?

Ric will exchange my black TRC for a new white one with the raised lettering (their current spec). Clearly not even close to matching the original white TRC from 1978....troubling indeed! Do the new TRCs have the Made In USA on them or just the Ricenbacker raised lettering?

Here's my question to you all:

What would you think is the best solution to maintain the value of the bass?

1) Do the exchange to the new white TRC with the raised lettering and replace the pickguard with a new custom aftermarket white one

2) Keep the black with silver lettering TRC (even though I have no idea how to determine its true age) and get a new black aftermarket custom pickguard to match

3) Keep the black TRC and replace the pickguard with white.

Mind you I am not partial to any of the color schemes above, I am just interested in maintaining the highest value of the bass should I desire to sell it at some point in the future (granted not likely but may as well keep the value as high as possible given it IS a 1978)

Appreciate everyone's thoughts.

Thanks

[beatlefreak]

The new TRCs with raised lettering do have the "Made In U.S.A." lettering. If your TRC is a plexi with painted letters. I'm surprised RIC won't exchange it for a vintage style plexi.

[weemac]

Markus..
I have what you need (a late 70s 4001trc) and need what you have (a legit black plexi trc)
I've sent you a pm...
Eden.

[markus44uk]

The new TRCs with raised lettering do have the "Made In U.S.A." lettering. If your TRC is a plexi with painted letters. I'm surprised RIC won't exchange it for a vintage style plexi.

I'd love it if Ric would offer a vintage style plexi but Kenneth said all they have is the new ones...odd. What do they do with all the ones people send in to trade?