Getting a Vintage Rickenbacker Bass restored ?

[Ontario_RIC_fan]

A tiny question.

Is the Serial number DA 009 or just DA09. Also are the numbers letters all at the bottom of the jackplate or is the DA at the bottom and the numbers 009 at the bottom. (ie all on one line or on two?)

A picture of the jackplate as well would be awesome...

[opticnerve]

Hi Donald,

Congrats, that's quite a special bass you have there!

The HS pu surround looks like it's from '63.

Can you post some under the hood pics?

[bassslug]

Hi Im in work right now so I will try and post a picture of the jack plate and what's under hood when I get home later, the Jack plates pretty grubby and brian suggested that the serial might be DA09 instead of DA009 so I need to confirm that - what would it mean if it was DA09 as opposed to DA009 ?

[Colonel Sanders]

I would second the suggestion for Larry Davis.

I sent my 64 4001S to him (from Australia) for a restoration and I am very happy with the results.

[wints]

Donald,

There's no real difference between 009 and 09. It's a Jan '64 instrument that would have originally been Fireglo and would have been in the first batch of Rose Morris instruments sent to the UK in very early '64. Pete Greenwood had DA 23 a long time again, but this one is before that.

Looking forward to seeing the other pics.

If you do decide to send it to the US, then yes, Larry Davis would be a great choice. He has my March '64 4001S/RM1999 at the moment...

[T28]

My monitor is pretty good colorwise and for me it looks dark green, not black.
But I suppose a slight variation in monitor colors could make it look that way.

[bassslug]

Donald,

There's no real difference between 009 and 09. It's a Jan '64 instrument that would have originally been Fireglo and would have been in the first batch of Rose Morris instruments sent to the UK in very early '64. Pete Greenwood had DA 23 a long time again, but this one is before that.

Looking forward to seeing the other pics.

If you do decide to send it to the US, then yes, Larry Davis would be a great choice. He has my March '64 4001S/RM1999 at the moment...

Thank you Mr.Winter, please see these photos and see what you think I really appreciate your opinion. I have emailed Mr.Davis using his website I hope he gets back to me to organise.
Kind Regards
Donal

[bassslug]

More Photos

[leftybass]

Pretty neat..!

The pickguard may have been replaced at one point, or someone has removed the masking tape from the backside of the original.

[teeder]

Very cool and welcome!

Another vote for Larry Davis. He did the '67 RM1999 that I have.

[bassslug]

Thanks Guys,
Does anyone know how many RM1999 there are out there? Mr.Winter commented that this one might have been amoungst the first 10 ever shipped to Rose and Morris would that increase the worth and collectability?

[Ontario_RIC_fan]

Just heard from John Hall regarding this bass and he confirms it was not a RoMo 1999. It is more likely a domestically produced 4001S that has somehow made its way over the years to Ireland.

"Five and only five instruments (one of which was a bass) were shipped to Rose Morris, all bearing serial numbers prefixed DA. None of them were DA09 or DA23. This shipment was a sample for their consideration and photography, made in early 1964. (Their original order of 11/22/63 was for seven instruments but they then cancelled the Model 315 and 625 prior to shipment.)

The first actual shipment for stock was in May 1964 and the first bass (with the lowest serial number) had a prefix of DC.

We have full hard copy documentation of all of the Rose Morris instruments."

So not a Rose Morris 1999 bass. And the earliest authentic RoMo 1999 models start with DC - Earlier ones were all produced for sale in the US

The picture of the jackplate answered my question - so thanks Donald! A real 1964 jackplate has the SN on just one line at the bottom - just like the picture shows. Also as I guessed you mistakenly added an extra 0. DA09 is the correct SN.

Nice bass. I hope you get it restored. if it is just being restored in order to sell it - you will almost certainly find a collector here willing to take it off your hands as is.

I wish you much success with it...

[wints]

Interesting post quoting JH there. Well, there aren't many left out there regardless of origin. Original condition is the most important thing from a worth and collectable standpoint. Many have been ruined and thrown away. They are very rare in the vintage bass world and highly sought after by collectors.

The good news is that all the hardware looks original. John, I think the guard might be the original... It appears to have those factory deep countersunk holes for the screws...they always have a certain look to them, and in one of the pix posted it appears there may have been tape at some time. Plus, it doesn't line up with the surround...That's got be stock! So, possibly, but all the wiring, and that cool old jackplate are all original...

Basically a great bass, and with the right work a really collectible piece. It's always nice to see another example surviving..

Oh...And you can call me Wints, Donald...we're pretty casual here!

[Ontario_RIC_fan]

While not a complete list obviously - but it is the data we have to look at. There are 40 1964 basses in the register.

http://www.rickresource.com/register/in ... 64&order=5

A few (also mistakenly registered as RoMo 1999 models) are like the bass in question DA. (including Paul McC's famous lefty 4001S DA23)

The next batch seems to start in March as John has told us..

DA09 is the earliest 1964 4001S yet documented so far.

[bassslug]

Wow....that's amazing. Im not sure how my uncle got it and I don't think there is anybody who would know, this could have been in his attic for a long long time. I have always been a rick fan, being a massive fan of Chris Squire and Geddy lee, so as soon as I could afford it bought a 4003 brand new and loved it, but never did I expect to own a bass such as this. I will get it restored, hopefully by Mr.Davis when he gets in touch. I'm not sure if I could sell it considering the circumstances in which it came into my posession. Does the fact its not a RM1999 make it less valuable? Also when I get it restored will the pickup have to be remagnified? I saw an post from John Hall saying something to that effect regarding Paul McC bass when he sent it to the factory to get the horse shoe repaired - can't wait to plug this into my SVT and hear that magical bass sound from the past coming out of the speakers......