Serial number detective work!!!!!

[vulcan_creedler]

Well - just bought a 1998 4003 body from Gibsondependable on Ebay. Unfortunately, the jack plate was sold elsewhere, and the vendor didn't keep a record of the number.

Hi mentioned it was S1 xxxx in the listing. (and re-stated it after asking again). He had the same information, looking at his completed items (alas - the plate was sold before I bought the body)

There is a label inside the cavity: 25105 4003 MG 40002 (and a hand written date: 6-04-98 (4th June presumably, as opposed to the UK reading of 6th April!)

25105 also appears in pencil in the neck pickup routing, under the lacquer.
Putting in 9825105 into the serial number decoder seems to work, coming back with 25th week of 1998

Am I right in assuming that "25" the first 2 numbers from 25105 also refers to the week number, and that "105" implies instrument number 105 released that week?

So - jumping the gun a bit, I tried "S1 7105",(adding an extra "7" to make it 4 digits after the S1 and it also came back with June 1998. It seems that all other June 98 4003 basses on the register are S17xxx.

Maybe I'll email Ric to get them to clarify!

Incidentally - Rossetti in the UK supplied me with a replacement plate, stamped xxx 2002, so having found the right serial number, I'll either get it engraved between the two jack holes, or on the back of the plate. Unless of course I can figure a way of getting the "xxx 2002" filled in, and then re-stamped!

[libratune]

Am I right in assuming that "25" the first 2 numbers from 25105 also refers to the week number, and that "105" implies instrument number 105 released that week?

All very interesting. The RIC numbering system switched from [alpha]1 to 98 prefix during 1998 and continued on with last 2 digits of year = 2-digit prefix for serial nos. thereafter. "25" is the week in your example.

As I understand it, the "105" in your example is a production number randomly assigned; the instruments made in any given week do not have sequential production numbers.

[rickyfricky]

[sloop_john_b]

.

[rickyfricky]

I was straining to be funny.

I may have crossed the line.

I should probably delete.

[sloop_john_b]

No worries.

[jps]

I was straining to be funny.

I may have crossed the line.

I should probably delete.

I do that all the time, so far I have a pretty dismal record, so you good!

[jdogric12]

so you good!

Jeff's got soul!

[rickyfricky]

so you good!

Jeff's got soul!

Thanks guys!!

I have rinsed out my mouth, and promise to exude positivity for the rest of the day . . .

[vulcan_creedler]

Gentlemen, gentlemen!!!!!

Now -aside of bickering, and mouth rinsing, do you have any information to help me on my bass serial number!!!!!!!!!!!??????????

Guy VC

BTW - Gibsondependable gave me excellent international service!

[rickyfricky]

Sorry Guy.

You're theories and summations sound spot on to me.

You may want to call RIC customer service and run it by them. I have found them to be very approachable and helpful.

All the Best.

[vulcan_creedler]

No need to be sorry! 'twas a humorous rant, veritably!!!!

[johnallg]

And we missed it; all deleted or edited.

[vulcan_creedler]

And we missed it; all deleted or edited.

Phew!!!!


Anyhow - joking aside - I found the REAL serial number! All along the bass was on the resource page. I simply looked at all the pictures of the June 1998 Mapleglo basses, and voila!!! Actually - it was the very first bass I looked at! I'll have to get it re-registered, in my name, and put up a new set of pictures: (horrible pickguard and SD pickup on the old pictures!)

http://www.rickresource.com/register/vi ... lebrity%3D

Right - all I need to do now is somehow recreate the right plate!

[Ontario_RIC_fan]

Guy:

Very good detective work!

So the bass is the register three times then.

When it originally sold last year out of Venice California with the replaced odd looking pick guard

http://www.rickresource.com/register/vi ... lebrity%3D

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1998-RICKENBACK ... 7675.l2557


When it sold again a few weeks ago (somewhere in the US) and the NJ Butcher bought it.

http://www.rickresource.com/register/vi ... Findex.php

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1998-Mapleglo-R ... 7675.l2557


And then when the Butcher sold it to you.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rickenbacker-19 ... 7675.l2557

Your not sure of the SN entry is there now as well...

http://www.rickresource.com/register/vi ... 6order%3D7

It is obviously the same bass by the distinctive wood knot on the back of the body...

Myself I would start advertising to see if the person who bought the jackplate might sell it to you