What is this?

[jps]

73 inlays - like Jeff says
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-1973-Ri ... 3f1ef4835e

That bass must be from the same wood batch as mine! Very nice.

[Ivan3000]

The description says it's a refin and also says that the fretboard was stripped when it was refret and the inlays are the type used by Rickenbacker on many basses at the time - just a quick check of the register will give confirmation. What's the mystery here?

73 inlays - like Jeff says
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-1973-Ri ... 3f1ef4835e

Those inlays have some depth to them and a little bit of texture (figuring I guess you could say).
These ones are completely opaque.

[Ivan3000]

Look how the tuner for the A string completely overshoots the headstock.

[godber]

The tuners are modern Rick replacements clearly; as to the inlays, I'll bow to your greater knowledge.