Were all Ric Bass tuners stamped "Rickenbacker" ?

[learning_curve]

Have a brown colored 4001 1979 The tuners look vintage but I do not see the stamp anywhere on these? Just curious. Thanks in advance

[cjj]

I'm not sure when they started putting the Rickenbacker name on 'em, but they did not always have it. There have been many different tuners used over the years though, some have the manufacturer name such as "Grover" some have nothing...

[rickenbrother]

It was mid '80's, when Schaller started producing the keywinds with Rickenbacker stamped into the back.

[learning_curve]

Thank you gentlemen, as always.....I am planning on letting this go fairly soon it is a 79, Plays like a dream but I just can't keep it (cash flow) just wanted an opinion on the tuners. Now that I know some were unmarked I am more confident as these have the age on them and look right. Thanks again, Going to play it a little, have a small gig I think I ned to use it for then I will let it go. Or perhaps someone will trade me for one of a different color in similiar coniditon or even a 4003? I will put it in the marketplace next week. Thanks again. I tried to upload a photo but I do not seem to Get The Knack..

Randy

[rickaddict]

The original tuners on a '79 4001 should look like this:

http://www.rickresource.com/register/us ... llsize.jpg

[nukebass]

and they turn backwards

[cjj]

All of mine turn both ways...

[aceonbass]

Since around 1963 RIC has used five different tuners on their basses. The "elephant ear" tuners were used from about '63 till the early 80's. These were made by Kluson and were unmarked. Grover supplied tuners also with wavy and flat keys off and on from the early 70's till the early 80's. Starting in the early 80's Schaller became the supplier for the elephant ear tuners that were stamped Rickenbacker. These have a slightly different screw mounting pattern than the early Klusons, but are interchangeable with them. I believe Schaller also makes the tuners found on the C64 basses, which are bassically replicas of the Kluson tuners. 4002 and 4004 basses use the Schaller M4 mini tuner.

[rickenbrother]

Not all of the elepant ear style keywinds on the 70's - early 80's 4001 basses work backwards.

[johnhall]

I believe Schaller also makes the tuners found on the C64 basses, which are bassically replicas of the Kluson tuners.

Gotoh, actually . . .

[aceonbass]

Really? I'm surprised Schaller didn't get to make these for you guys since they already made the rest of your currently available bass tuners. Interesting.

[johnhall]

Really? I'm surprised Schaller didn't get to make these for you guys since they already made the rest of your currently available bass tuners. Interesting.

They really disappointed us during the C Series project. They couldn't, for example, understand why we wouldn't accept a 6mm replica part that was supposed to be 1/4 inch. they also couldn't understand why we would deliberately make something to a lower standard than current materials or processes would permit. Gotoh, on the other hand (and unlike some of our customers for vintage replicas) appreciated completely the concept of building some parts that are perfectly and precisely imperfect.

It may also have had to do with some times of transition at their company, due to Helmut and Rene Schaller's deaths, which fortunately are now long behind them. It's hard to beat them for modern precision components.

[BAD RONBO, KiLLeR DWaRfS]

i like the backward keywinds...because RICKENBACKER is backward...and so am i ! ( that was a testament to being great and not following the industry norm, mr. hall . my dry sense of "backward humor" !

[FabGearHead]

Mr. Hall, I sincerely thank you for your direct input on this forum. I have been a Rickenbacker fan since the '60's and have owned several. They are unique instruments and stand alone regarding aesthetics, tone, and feel. I am very appreciative of your commitment to authenticity and your desire to offer "period correct" parts on the vintage series instruments. Keep up the great work!



Jim Merrill Jr.