Canary Yellow finish on a 4001?

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Wed Oct 03, 2001 3:55 am

So it stands to reason that the left-handed one shown previously in this string could very well be the factory finish....Is it safe to say that this finish was inspired by what Chris Squire did to his bass?

John Hall, did you get a number of requests for this color in the '70's??

It is a great looking color...

admin · Post by **admin** » Wed Oct 03, 2001 6:54 am

You raise an excellent question John. As we all know, photos can be deceiving. What do you think?

claudel · Post by **claudel** » Wed Oct 03, 2001 7:19 am

Hi

My '64 Fe#&er P has a similar color scheme.
I think that mine is due to years of nicotine exposure, rather than custom paint.
Does the Ric have the "HG" anywhere?

Claude

admin · Post by **admin** » Wed Oct 03, 2001 8:21 am

Lowell: Would you mind telling us which of the above photos, the 1977 or the 1979 Model 4001, more slosely resembles the colour of your instrument. The "true colour" can be hard to establish in photos posted to the internet.

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Wed Oct 03, 2001 9:16 am

Peter, I still think the lefty '79 is a white bass, due to the various levels of shading, almost like a 'nicotine' look in some spots. The picture may be a bit deceiving as well. I would like to see it the same way as Lowell's, with the pickguard removed. White instruments tend to fade out in a non-uniform manner, at least that's what I have seen.......Lowell's is definitely closer to the modern color used on the Chris Squire Edition.

hippiesandwich · Post by **hippiesandwich** » Wed Oct 03, 2001 9:25 am

The lefty 4001 definitely looks yellower than my 4001s (which is the '77), however I am noticing how much the pearl fretboard inlays on the lefty have yellowed as well.

The pic of my 4001s "on edge" above is more accurate of the true color - I think the flash lightened up the color too much in the other photo where the bass was laying more flat. A couple of things are for sure - my 4001s doesn't appear to be a refin and when you compare the color under the guard to the white guard itself the body color sure doesn't appear to be white.

I believe there is a bit if scribbling inside the control cavity, I will check it tonight for "HG"'s or the like. Bass archeology!

admin · Post by **admin** » Wed Oct 03, 2001 10:31 am

I am inclined to agree with you Leftybass. Thanks for the validation of the colour Lowell.

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Wed Oct 03, 2001 10:32 am

Yeah, that may be the way to tell on the left-handed one--by looking in the control cavity.

I never heard of a Rickenbacker having a photo-chemical reaction that would alter the finish, but I guess it's possible....

Lowell, That is a neat 4001S you have !!!

hippiesandwich · Post by **hippiesandwich** » Wed Oct 03, 2001 10:58 am

If you think that yellow 4001s is neat, check out what I found last week for $650!!!

http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1468732909

If this bass is as clean as it looks I should be arrested for robbery!

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Wed Oct 03, 2001 11:11 am

I hear what you're saying!!! That IS a clean bass, and a great find...Congrats!!

Too bad I am left-handed...I kinda liked the 1973 4001 in Azureglo that was just on ebay...That was a neat one as well, with all the early features.

wints · Post by **wints** » Sun Oct 07, 2001 11:21 am

A variation of a theme.....I placed insulation tape on various parts of my white 64 4001s #DH163 when i bought it 20 yrs ago to cover a gouge and scratches...I finally decided to remove this recently and was left with a yellowing on the white finish, where the tape backing had been....I,ve sent a couple of pictures to the registration page.(apologies for the photography!!) Hopefully Peter can post them. After an afternoon of careful cleaning, the bass is now back to the all white it was when I first bought it.I,ll post(better) new photo,s soon!!

ric4003 · Post by **ric4003** » Thu Jan 10, 2002 10:38 am

Hi! I'm new to the forum, but not to Ric basses. I've had a 4003 (built Jan. '84) for about 5 years, & it too is "canary yellow." In fact, the yellow lefty in the pictures that Peter posted a while back is a dead ringer for the finish on mine (a righty). It's even yellower under the pickguards. Is the consesus here that the original color is not yellow, but white that's now turned yellow? And is this at all a "desirable" finish? Thanks!