Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

My August 73 has the checkered binding, newer bridge, toaster pickup in the 1/2" spacing, the bridge pickup is mounted on an aluminum plate, lucite TRC, Grover tuners and new style fingerboard inlays. Her previous owner installed the thumbrest.


My '75 fretless had the pickup in the 1" spacing, though the body is routed like the bodies for the 1/2" spacing. Since the original pickguard was cracked when I bought it, I got her a pickguard with the 1/2" spacing. It has the lucite TRC and the reverse style tuners.

OK, now it looks like I'll have to add an early 70s 4001 to my list of basses to get before I die. Unless the 4001v68 becomes a reality....

none of us has seen a 61-62 4001 ,4000 yes,i would say 63-73 checkerboard,61-63 had wide inlays they were not mother of pearl 64-73 were mop ending in mid to late 73.

Joey-that sure is a purty fretless... Maybe I'll have to find one someday. LOL

Not too long after I got my 75 Burgundy (February 1981) I was walking across a cold snowy mall parking lot with my Jazz Band director for a show (I was playing trumpet). We were talking guitars, and I said that I wanted something, and the director says "that's not what you want. you want a fretless Rickenbacker!"

I didn't even know such an animal existed, and had never played a fretless. Took about 11 years before I got a fretless (my J Bass), and almost a quarter of a century for that exact statement to click in my mind.

I'll have to wait a little bit, seeing as I just sprung for a Laredo...but it gives me a goal!

The first bass out of the case these days for me. April 73 with all the old features and barely a mark on her...

My July '73 4001 has the 1/2" spaced toaster, checker binding and had Grovers (Hipshots now), but the smaller inlays and newer bridge.

1972 4001.. BG



-> "Slit" bridge ended in 1972

-> Checkered binding ended in 1973

-> Toasters ended in 1973

-> Full MOP Inlays ended in late-1972 early-1973

-> Finger rest ended in 1972

-> Skunkstripe started in 1972

-> 1-inch p/up spacing started in 1976

And the best way to tell the difference in the inlays is the design, correct? The original MOPs went all the way across the fingerboard and the newer version had gaps on either side? And I assume then that an early 73 would not have the split tailpiece?

Also, what type of strings would be OEM for an early 70s 4001? I would think flats, correct?

My April 1973 has a original factory installed split tailpiece.

It would seem that RIC ran out of inventory and switched to the non-split tailpiece in May or June of 73.

Here's one I'd like to know. Why did RIC change the pickguard from the vintage style, which extended to the pickup surround, to the modern one with the space between it and the pickup surround, and why? I always liked the old style better IMHO.

My January 73 had a spilt tailpiece as well, I thought it was late 73 the split tail went away., and when I fist got her she was strung with flats ....

Ron, you're correct about the MOP inlays, they went full width across the fingerboard.

A small correction is in order:

Split tailpiece discontinued circa May '73;
1 inch neck pickup spacing started circa May '75;

Henny,

That BG is beautiful! What a great color!

Sergio...I have to agree with the 1" PU spacing, as my February 75 is still 1/2"...

Of course, I have never looked to see what's underneath, but I've never modded the bass and have had it since about February 1981. I doubt it's ever been touched other than routine work.