Are all 1971 4001 basses created equal?

[Ric N. Backer]

Specifically, were all 1971 4001 basses fitted with a 21 fret fingerboard? I see many in the registry that have 21 frets.

I was re-looking at this sweetheart (see below ) and noticed that it only has 20 frets.

Also, does this one look like it's completely original? Does the dealer describe it accurately? Sure would like your input.

http://www.gbase.com/gear/rickenbacker- ... mu-1971-fi#

Post-holiday vintage GAS!

Description: Here indeed is the last of it's kind: 1971 was the last year that the 4001 bass retained all of the true features of the 60's Ricky basses. Now I know that full width inlays, the broken tooth bridge, etc. continued until mid- 1973, but 1971 was the last year that the 4001 did not have a skunk stripe, which was a feature of the earlier basses. To our knowledge, this is the only '71 4001 available on the market today with the exception of a left- handed version and of course, you have to "call for price". I'd rather eat a bucket of rusty nails, thank you. This is a high quality collector's piece that's managed to retain its value throughout these somewhat turbulent times. Or, you could be a maverick and actually plug this sweetie into an amp and straight get busy with some old Yes or Rush. Take the opportunity to inquire about a bass that just doesn't "pop up" anymore and fulfill your Ricky dreams today!

[teeder]

No, 21 frets were out by March of 1971 to the best of my knowledge. I know of at least two Feb '71's that are 21 frets and I have a March that isn't.
Here are two "21's", my Jan Burg and Ex- Feb left to right.



and a March "20"



The one in the ad is beautiful and super clean, but a wee bit pricey.

[Ric N. Backer]

No, 21 frets were out by March of 1971 to the best of my knowledge. I know of at least two Feb '71's that are 21 frets and I have a March that isn't.
Here are two "21's", my Jan Burg and Ex- Feb left to right.



and a March "20"



The one in the ad is beautiful and super clean, but a wee bit pricey.

You have some gorgeous basses, my friend!

So, March of 1971 marked the end of the 21 fret necks. What time period were the 21 fret models available? Did other models, like the 4000 and 4005, come with 21 frets, and if so, what time period?

It looks like the bridge on the 21 fret model is located farther up - meaning farther away from the end-of-the body, and positioned closer to the top of the body. What's the geometry like? Do the 21-fret models have a longer neck (not scale,I know that wouldn't change, but over-all dimension or length of the bass guitar). Are the wings the same dimension?

I'm curious how the geometry differs. The scale stays the same, but given the additional fret, something from a geometry perspective has to be different. the last fret appears to be in the same relation to the upper portion of the body-wings as a 20 fret. Please help me understand what's different.

Was the headstock shortened to compensate for the longer fretboard?

Thanks, by the way, for responding, and sharing some pics!

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Several ticks of the clock later I discovered this thread regarding said matter (21 frets)...

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=19585&start=15

Post by John Hall (johnhall) » Fri Feb 14, 2003 12:15 pm

There is no relationship between scale length and number of frets. In the case of these instruments, it's just a matter of how far the fingerboard with frets extend onto the body.

[henry5]

Description: Here indeed is the last of it's kind: 1971 was the last year that the 4001 bass retained all of the true features of the 60's Ricky basses. Now I know that full width inlays, the broken tooth bridge, etc. continued until mid- 1973, but 1971 was the last year that the 4001 did not have a skunk stripe, which was a feature of the earlier basses.

This is incorrect. The skunk stripe didn't start until mid '72. My Feb '72 doesn't have a skunk stripe. I wish people would get this right!

With regards to the 21 fret basses, in real terms the neck blank is just longer so the neck sits further out; nothing else is different in terms of proportion. The bridge therefore also sits further forward.

[teeder]

Thanks, Robert!

21 frets were only on the 4001. I've never heard of a 4000, 4001S or 4005 with 21 frets, but at this time at Rickenbacker, anything was possible. They started late in '69 and ended early in '71. The necks are slightly longer or the wings are shifted back, depending how you look at it.

[cjj]

21 frets were only on the 4001.

I believe the 4002 had 21 frets too...

[teeder]

Oops! Forgot about that one. I was just thinking about 1971's or there abouts.

[jps]

21 frets were only on the 4001.

On page 208 in the Smith book is a photo of a medium scale 4005/8 with 21 frets. It is the only photo or reference to this instrument I have ever seen.

[Ric N. Backer]

Thanks gents for the rickenfo!

Sounds like the 21-fret model has a relatively short life span, as well as exclusive to the 4001 and sparse 4002 offering.

I wonder why Ric didn't continue producing 21 fretted basses? Anyone know or care to venture as to why?

Maybe the next new thing that comes out (taking the place of my beloved 4001C64 & 4001 C64S) will be a 21-fret with checkerboard binding and never-before offered finish!

Which will be a five-string with a never-before offered five-pole horseshoe and five-pole high-gain neck pickup!!

And it'll have a dual skunk-stripe too!

[nov_1981]

21 frets were only on the 4001.

Apparently Ric made at least a couple of 3000's with 21 frets as well
http://www.rickresource.com/register/vi ... lebrity%3D

[jps]

We sure seem to be blowing the 21 fret/4001 theory out of the water, here!

[cjj]

It is, however, an interesting question as to why Rickenbacker made some basses with 21 frets and the majority with 20. I can't imagine the savings in wood, fret wire, and the labor to install one more fret would make that much difference...

[BAD RONBO, KiLLeR DWaRfS]

what about bound/un-bound edge at the end of the fretboard ? some with/ some without ?

[leftybass]

21 frets were only on the 4001.

On page 208 in the Smith book is a photo of a medium scale 4005/8 with 21 frets. It is the only photo or reference to this instrument I have ever seen.

I recall a thread here (a few years back) where the original owner of this bass posted some additional pics taken by him 'back in the day' playing the bass...IIRC they were color snapshots taken in the early 70's.

[jps]

21 frets were only on the 4001.

On page 208 in the Smith book is a photo of a medium scale 4005/8 with 21 frets. It is the only photo or reference to this instrument I have ever seen.

I recall a thread here (a few years back) where the original owner of this bass posted some additional pics taken by him 'back in the day' playing the bass...IIRC they were color snapshots taken in the early 70's.

Are you going to make me search for that thread?