Can anyone identify this bass

[Steve99]

Teardrop pickguard, clear finger-rest. The jackplate has been changed so there is no serial number.

[sloop_john_b]

Sort of. Can you give us more info Steve? Is this for sale somewhere?

[opticnerve]

The jackplate has been changed so there is no serial number.

Or...it never had a real jackplate.

[woodyng]

The headstock shape is kinda off,isn't it? Except for the old bridge ,i do like the overall concept/layout.

[bassduke49]

This is either the Rickenbacker prototype illustrated in the Smith book on page 205 as "Experimental 4001S from 1967 with two under-string pickups" or a Laredo made to look like this prototype. The wall in the background looks like the RIC "museum," so that may answer the question.

[BAD RONBO, KiLLeR DWaRfS]

don't think the ric museum would have les pauls and teles. looks like a modified later '70's 4000 due to the headstock shape. and a rick 12 string trc.

[sloop_john_b]

This is either the Rickenbacker prototype illustrated in the Smith book on page 205 as "Experimental 4001S from 1967 with two under-string pickups" or a Laredo made to look like this prototype. The wall in the background looks like the RIC "museum," so that may answer the question.

Or a copy.

[Badanovski]

Aren't you just a little bit curious what's under the TRC or if it's a set neck. I'd like it to be real cause I like the vibe & the work that would have went into it.

[jps]

Definitely not the '67 4001 Experimental bass. Maybe it was the inspiration for this bass but there are lots of things different, such as the Allparts bridge, for one.

12 string TRC
Incorrectly shaped gold (should be white) pickguard
Wrong shape horns (too fat)
Weird shaped headstock
Fingerboard looks more like CR vs. bubinga
Wrong tuning keys (not Rick-like)
Etc.

[aceonbass]

Let's not forget the AllParts tailpiece.

[beatlefan]

oh, and nice splash into the RRF , Steve....

Welcome to the world of lots of questions and even more answers...

[vulcan_creedler]

Let's not forget the AllParts tailpiece.

Is the Allparts bridge actually licensed by Ric? Or does it "technically" not infringe on any copyrights? Same question for the "Ric" Allparts pickguards!

[Steve99]

Interesting comments about 12 string TRC. The bass arrived along with a Rick 12 string guitar at a small guitar shop. It is at best a classic Rick that has been messed with a lot, or a complete fake. The guys at the store didn't know too much more about it.

[Badanovski]

If it's real or a faker an awful lot of work went into creating it. If it was a faker manufactured that way, some company bigwig musta hit the hooka too hard & decided to mix the different Ric elements.

[jps]

If it was a faker manufactured that way, some company bigwig musta hit the hooka too hard & decided to mix the different Ric elements.

If you have seen the 4001S experimental bass from 1967 you would instantly know where the idea for this bass came from. Some day I'd like to get another Laredo and do something similar as this is a great melding of a 4001 and 4005. Of course it would be easier to do if the bridge pickup was already in that location, and I would leave the stock Schaller bridge on the 4004, just add the pickguard and harness/controls.