Knobs/Pots too close together on my 4001.. Fake?

[Wazzo]

Hello! I recently purchased my first rickenbacker and everything looks legit except for the pots/knobs.. I've compared mine with pictures on the web and my knobs/pots seem to be way too tight..

Here's a picture of my bass (burgundy, feb 1977 according to serial)

http://s3.postimage.org/8rxidxl0x/rick1.jpg

Any ideas?

[paologregorio]

It might just be a old custom replacement pickguard.

[JM82]

looks legit to me, I'd say the scratch plate was probably replaced at some point and the holes were just made in the wrong place. It looks like there were stickers at one time on the area on the left of the pic, so I'd say this bass had been personalised by a previous owner hence why you don't have an original scratch plate (perhaps the old scratch plate had been stickered too, and they couldn't get it clean enough to sell on so they got a replacement??).

[Wazzo]

Alright, that's good enough for me!

When I was adjusting the bass (just after recieving it and taking those pictures) I was trying to raise the neck pickup adjusting the screws and the pickguard broke which made me look at other pickguards online and notice the hole differences..

Thanks for the help!

Edit: I guess it was silly of me to think that the bass was a fake based on the holes of the pickguard, but this is the most expensive bass I've bought so far and I just wanted to make sure that everything was OK.

Once again, thanks!

[ken_j]

Welcome to the RRF Aram. Most people here would recommend Pickguardian for a replacment. http://www.pickguardian.com/pickguardian/

[Wazzo]

Welcome to the RRF Aram. Most people here would recommend Pickguardian for a replacment. http://www.pickguardian.com/pickguardian/

Thanks! And thanks for the link, but I also found this one:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Pickguard-Rickenb ... 1395wt_905

Basically halfprice ($35 vs $64). Think that one will do?

[johnallg]

Welcome Aram. You have a very nice Rickenbacker bass there; the 70s 4001 basses are great with really nice tone. If you really want the "look", replace the pickguard, otherwise just play that puppy. If you want a little more tone out of the bridge pickup, there is a .0047uF cap (smaller than the two .047uF tone caps) that if you solder a wire across the cap will add a lot more "heft" to the sound of that pickup. Search the forum for .0047uF to read all about the mod and pics too.

[Wazzo]

Hey John!

Actually the pickguard cracked into two pieces just where the screws for the neck pickup are supposed to be, so the wholes are in half. I taped the guard but who knows how long that will hold..

I'll check that mod out aswell! I don't have a solderer myself but I should be able to get hold of one. Thanks for the tip!

[johnallg]

Hey John!

Actually the pickguard cracked into two pieces just where the screws for the neck pickup are supposed to be, so the wholes are in half. I taped the guard but who knows how long that will hold..

I'll check that mod out aswell! I don't have a solderer myself but I should be able to get hold of one. Thanks for the tip!

If you just tightly wrap the wires around the capacitor leads, it will work and also be reversible. It will also let you see if you want to leave it. Then you could solder it whenever.

[rickenbrother]

Welcome to the forum, Aram!

[BAD RONBO, KiLLeR DWaRfS]

i've noticed the "close together" knob placement in the '76 year basses, before the pulling up of the bass volume knob in '77 era.

[s4001]

Welcome, and you've come to the right place. I'm sorry to say that your bass is likely a fake. I'd be more than happy to relieve you of that problematic eyesore.

[doctorwho]

Scott, play nice with the new kid!

Welcome, Aram!

[paul_yan]

Welcome aboard, Aram!

[antonius]

That's a fine bass you've got there Aram!! I love the tone and feel of a 70's 4001 (mine is May 1975). If you want to change the pickguard I would also recommend Pickguardian. I am in the UK and found them a pleasure to deal with and I had no worries sending my old original (cracked) pickguard over to them. Enjoy!!