Is there something wrong with this picture?
Moderators: rickenbrother, ajish4
1957 apparantly....though for a 4001 I'm not sure.
Check this page for a timeline of finishes:
http://www.the-music-connection.com/ricinfo.htm#fin
Check this page for a timeline of finishes:
http://www.the-music-connection.com/ricinfo.htm#fin
That one looks familiar. I think it was one on ebay not long ago that was refin'd/. This guy has a tendency to buy them on ebay hold them for a month or two and then turn around and sell them back on ebay. I will have to search to see if I am right but I think this was one of those.
78 Purple 4001
88 BLACKSTAR
89 BLACKSTAR
89 Mid Blue
91 Mid Blue
88 BLACKSTAR
89 BLACKSTAR
89 Mid Blue
91 Mid Blue
Sergio,
sure is a looker isn't it but sadly not mine
Any 4005 would be a joy to own, but I've never even seen one in the UK...they're quite a rarity over here and I would imagine even rarer in Portugal?
I found that pic on the web...here's a couple more nice ones... an eight stringer and a lightshow 4005...now we are talking rare..and big bucks I would say!

sure is a looker isn't it but sadly not mine
Any 4005 would be a joy to own, but I've never even seen one in the UK...they're quite a rarity over here and I would imagine even rarer in Portugal?
I found that pic on the web...here's a couple more nice ones... an eight stringer and a lightshow 4005...now we are talking rare..and big bucks I would say!

Well, I suppose 4005s to be virtually nonexistent in Portugal. Not many weeks back I run '4005 Wanted' ads in many local newspapers: no replies.
As for the 8-string and the Lightshow, I guess they exist only in one's wildest dreams...
As for the 8-string and the Lightshow, I guess they exist only in one's wildest dreams...
A Rickenbacker bass is much like the Jaguar E car - perennially ultra-fashionable.
Okay, it's here. It needs a LOT of work.
First impressions:
It's a bit more yellowed than the picture could lead me to believe, but not terribly.
The neck is a ski slope. It was strung with some medium gauge roundwounds, and tuned to pitch, the bass is unplayable. The action is mile-high. I'll have to correct that. Frets look OK though. Under the TRC (black plexi) it looks like the rods were never tweaked. At least no fretboard separation or broken bolts.
The pickguard is a Chandler replacement. It will go. I'll contact Don Adamek to make me a nicer one. I'm thinking of having a white pickguard made instead of the black one, and buying a white TRC off eBay, making it white-on-(yellowed) white with the chrome hardware and black binding.
The wiring is a mess. Amateur solder joints, no R-O-S, it will need to be re-done. I'll make a new harness. No biggie.
The front pickup is a newer 4003 pickup.
Strap buttons are black StrapLocks.
The case has one latch missing.
Pencil marks in the control cavity: "Ruby 4001-F **" - whatever that means.
I've taken the bass apart and started to clean it. If I can correct the neck bow, I'll be fine. All the rest is easy to do. Will update as I progress.
First impressions:
It's a bit more yellowed than the picture could lead me to believe, but not terribly.
The neck is a ski slope. It was strung with some medium gauge roundwounds, and tuned to pitch, the bass is unplayable. The action is mile-high. I'll have to correct that. Frets look OK though. Under the TRC (black plexi) it looks like the rods were never tweaked. At least no fretboard separation or broken bolts.
The pickguard is a Chandler replacement. It will go. I'll contact Don Adamek to make me a nicer one. I'm thinking of having a white pickguard made instead of the black one, and buying a white TRC off eBay, making it white-on-(yellowed) white with the chrome hardware and black binding.
The wiring is a mess. Amateur solder joints, no R-O-S, it will need to be re-done. I'll make a new harness. No biggie.
The front pickup is a newer 4003 pickup.
Strap buttons are black StrapLocks.
The case has one latch missing.
Pencil marks in the control cavity: "Ruby 4001-F **" - whatever that means.
I've taken the bass apart and started to clean it. If I can correct the neck bow, I'll be fine. All the rest is easy to do. Will update as I progress.
"A Noble Instrument Must Be Nobly Regarded"


