Can anyone identify this bass

[aceonbass]

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

RIC licenses nothing. John Hall said in a previous post that the there were even casting marks on the AllParts piece that indicated it had been at least partially copied from RIC's part. I don't know what he's doing about it.

[rickenbrother]

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.

The last time I saw the prototype, which was not too long ago, it did not have a gold pickguard or TRC and it had a white plate under the tailpiece to raise it up. I'd say this might be a Rick (hopefully geniune) that was modified to look like the experimental 4001S.

[BAD RONBO, KiLLeR DWaRfS]

what was the first year of the 4005 ??? all this talk of 4005 basses has me drooling.

[jps]

I believe the 4005 first came to market in October 1965.

[chefothefuture]

Question-
How could you modify an existing 4001 to have top mounted pickups....
I don't think one could....

[rickenbrother]

Is it just my eyes or I've just noticed the TRC looks like it's from a 12 string. I don't think it's a Laredo. I don't think 4004 horns were ever that fat.

Here I am with the real thing:

[JakeK]

The TRC looks like a modern 360/12C63 TRC. Hmm...

[rickenbrother]

The TRC looks like a modern 360/12C63 TRC. Hmm...

You caught that also, Jake!

[JakeK]

The real thing looks perfectly normal in your pic, Joey. How does it compare to a RoMo 1999 or something of that effect? While it has the 4000 body shape and bridge, it has 4005 pickup spacing/controls, and I know how big of a fan you aren't of the 4005.

Could the bass in question possibly be a copy/replica?

[aceonbass]

Question- How could you modify an existing 4001 to have top mounted pickups....
I don't think one could....

The fingerboard is way too low on a 4001 or 4003 to have top mounted pickups like that. The neck would have to have the taller geometry of the 4005's neck for that to work. Otherwise you'd need to route it like a 4004.

[rickenbrother]

The Jetglo Cii in this pic is my closest attempt (for now) at having something similar to the experimental '67 4001S. I had to use the vintage style control knobs since the set screw of 4004 type wouldn't catch the posts with the added height of the pickguard. I think they look better against the white pickguard anyway. The pickguard was made by Dane Wilder. It stil needs a white TRC.
If I ever got a new Jetglo Laredo, I don't think I could stop myself from doing the full metamorphosis.

[aceonbass]

The Jetglo Cii in this pic is my closest attempt (for now) at having something similar to the experimental '67 4001S. If I ever got a new Jetglo Laredo, I don't think I could stop myself from doing the full metamorphosis.

My operating table is always ready Joey.....mua ha ha ha ha...

[chefothefuture]

Question- How could you modify an existing 4001 to have top mounted pickups....
I don't think one could....

The fingerboard is way too low on a 4001 or 4003 to have top mounted pickups like that. The neck would have to have the taller geometry of the 4005's neck for that to work. Otherwise you'd need to route it like a 4004.

My point exactly.
The bass in question appears to have surface mounted pups.
I say the bass is somebody's woodshop project.....

[jps]

..........my feelings, exactly, I mean, look at how funky the headstock shape is.

[rickenbrother]

The Jetglo Cii in this pic is my closest attempt (for now) at having something similar to the experimental '67 4001S. If I ever got a new Jetglo Laredo, I don't think I could stop myself from doing the full metamorphosis.

My operating table is always ready Joey.....mua ha ha ha ha...

Dane, you never know, someday. The biggest challenge would probably be to finish the plugged hole left by the original treble pickup position well enough, so that it looks like it was never there.

..........my feelings, exactly, I mean, look at how funky the headstock shape is.

I agree with this also.