A little stumped here.

[sloop_john_b]

Guys: have you ever seen a 1974 4001 with stock checkered binding? How about a '74 Jetglo with STOCK black plastic stuff?

Pics to come...

[T.A.R.]

Nope, I was under the impression checkerboard went way of the dinosaur in '73. Interesting!

[sloop_john_b]

Nope, I was under the impression checkerboard went way of the dinosaur in '73. Interesting!

I think we all were Ted, hence my confusion!

[bassduke49]

Well, I have learned that the only absolute about Rickenbacker stuff is that there are no absolutes. While checker binding went away as a standard by mid- late-1973, it was likely available for special order back when the factory made such things available. Black plastic came around in the mid '70s, IIRC, especially on White. Black plastic (including binding) was a standard feature on the 4002 which began in 1975. Now, black hardware is another thing entirely, and that appears to have started in the mid '80s

[cjj]

And as I recall, black binding was an option that could be ordered for any instrument. I think it also changed the pickguards to black when ordered that way.

[sloop_john_b]

Update: pot codes check out ('74) and it has a GAP TOOTHED TAILPIECE. What is this thing?

[T.A.R.]

Wow, when did the Gap Tooth Tailpiece go out? They were aluminum weren't they?

[winston]

Pics would be good just about now or any time real soon John.

[beatlefan]

*crickets chirping*

[sloop_john_b]

A couple of pics from my friend. Hard to tell here but it certainly does have CB.



Black PLEXI TRC:



NE serial number and pots date to the 14th week of 1974.

[wints]

Remember the '82 from Spain in WHT that has the CB as well...

[s4001]

Plastic could've been swapped, bridge, too. I wouldn't bee surprised to see check binding in 74. As we know - there's no hard & fast rules to Ric.

[jps]

Interesting. I agree, the TRC and PG could have been swapped at some point. I see that at least one saddle on the bridge has been replaced with a more modern one than what was originally on it.

[BAD RONBO, KiLLeR DWaRfS]

surround seems too roundish on the corners for that period.

[s4001]

Are you acquiring this one?