Hi
Just got myself a 78 4001 bass. It is in poor condition and is getting a re-fret at the moment from a luthier in Scotland called William Kelday. It is my first vintage bass. How far should I go in tarting the old gal up? For example should I change the pups? It is all dings and dongs, should I repair these? It needs a new pickguard. I do not want to devalue the instrument but I want to play her as opposed to stick her under the bed. Will post fotos when I get her back.
How Far do you Go
Moderators: rickenbrother, ajish4
Re: How Far do you Go
Welcome Jimmy. I would look toward the point where the tone and playability is what you want it to be. On an instrument this age I would accept the dings and enjoy it. As to the pickguard that is easily fixed without you being out of pocket too much. Odds are you will not need to change the electronics. Please send in the photos and your comments regarding this instrument when you get it back from the shop.
In the meantime, you can look as the existing 4001s from 1978 that we have in the gallery here.
In the meantime, you can look as the existing 4001s from 1978 that we have in the gallery here.
Life, as with music, often requires one to let go of the melody and listen to the rhythm
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Please join the Official RickResource Forum Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/groups/379271585440277
Re: How Far do you Go
Welcome, Jimmy. 
We have other members in Scotland that could help you with this; one in particular, Scott Baillie, who is in Glascow has done mods to Rick guitars in the past and can certainly give you advice. I for get his user name, it is something like numptyman. IIRC. Photos will help determine a proper course of action, along with some better description of the sound of the pickups, and anything quirky about the instrument, etc.
We have other members in Scotland that could help you with this; one in particular, Scott Baillie, who is in Glascow has done mods to Rick guitars in the past and can certainly give you advice. I for get his user name, it is something like numptyman. IIRC. Photos will help determine a proper course of action, along with some better description of the sound of the pickups, and anything quirky about the instrument, etc.
Re: How Far do you Go
Hi Jimmy, also from Scotland here Interesting that Bill's looking at your bass, he did a bit of work on my CS documented here.
viewtopic.php?f=13&t=399974
I'll be interested to hear how he gets on with your re-fret.
As for your bass, i'd be inclined to leave as is with perhaps a few cosmetic improvements (e.g. scratchplate, perhaps chromed items if they are in bad shape) just so it doesn't look like a complete dog. But that's just me.
Interesting that Bill's looking at your bass, he did a bit of work on my CS documented here.viewtopic.php?f=13&t=399974
I'll be interested to hear how he gets on with your re-fret.
As for your bass, i'd be inclined to leave as is with perhaps a few cosmetic improvements (e.g. scratchplate, perhaps chromed items if they are in bad shape) just so it doesn't look like a complete dog. But that's just me.