Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

harrek wrote:He says it's a 1991, so it's an early one that people seem to think is more desirable. I didn't run the serial #, but there is a picture of the
plate.

D4 - April 1991

Emphysema-glo. (needs vomit emoticon)

emac.

4001COPD

cassius987 wrote:4001COPD

i think it's an interesting color. btw, i noticed on the side fretboard shot at the lower bodywing joint has a good view of the "raised off the body" fretboard, that the original '60's production basses did not have. the originals had the fretboard resting on the body plane. (thus the pickup will not sense the strings as much due to them being furthur away from the field.)

I suspect the reason for the change, Ron, is so that it would be easier to get even action across the entire fingerboard. The original way, maintaining the same type of bridge/tailpiece, would have probably had higher action in the upper register even with a straight neck.

BAD RONBO, KiLLeR DWaRfS wrote:... btw, i noticed on the side fretboard shot at the lower bodywing joint has a good view of the "raised off the body" fretboard, that the original '60's production basses did not have. the originals had the fretboard resting on the body plane. (thus the pickup will not sense the strings as much due to them being furthur away from the field.)

That is interesting. I think this is one of those things that varied a bit from bass to bass (and this was probably even more likely back in the 60's).

My '92 4001V63 fretboard is much closer to the body plane than this Nicotineglo CS. When I fret my G string at the 20th, it just barely clears the toaster pickup. I don't have a photo on file with the optimal angle to show this, but if you blow up this photo you can see that the fretboard is definitely less than a pickguard's width off the body:

http://www.rickresource.com/register/us ... llsize.jpg

I suspect that this bass has been on display in a smoky bar and not played. Obviously at some point probably early in it's life someone set it up (shielding and signature removed from the pick guard). But if you look at the corrosion and tarnish on parts that would normally wear (or at least stay clean) like the tuners, horseshoe, jack plate etc...even the strings are corroded...cobwebs under the bridge saddles...I see no real fret wear either.

If this bass had been played, the nicotine would have rubbed off of the body and neck.

I think it could be cleaned up, but that would take a lot of time and effort.

And if you like the color the way it is, well...don't expect it to stay like that if you plan on playing it.

blueflamerick wrote:I'd like to see what that guy's lungs look like.

You can't- he's gotta be dead! This is probably an estate sale . . .

rickaddict wrote:

BAD RONBO, KiLLeR DWaRfS wrote:... btw, i noticed on the side fretboard shot at the lower bodywing joint has a good view of the "raised off the body" fretboard, that the original '60's production basses did not have. the originals had the fretboard resting on the body plane. (thus the pickup will not sense the strings as much due to them being furthur away from the field.)

That is interesting. I think this is one of those things that varied a bit from bass to bass (and this was probably even more likely back in the 60's).

My '92 4001V63 fretboard is much closer to the body plane than this Nicotineglo CS. When I fret my G string at the 20th, it just barely clears the toaster pickup. I don't have a photo on file with the optimal angle to show this, but if you blow up this photo you can see that the fretboard is definitely less than a pickguard's width off the body:

http://www.rickresource.com/register/us ... llsize.jpg

Here's the angle shot on my '92 V63.



I think you may be on to something about it being on display, Jeff.

I have a pit smoker and the color of that bass looks just like a pork shoulder that has been bathed in smoke for 8-10 hours and I bet it doesn't taste anywhere as good!

LEL

I actually like the color....


*runs and hides*

I think Jeff is onto something as well, if the guy did smoke that much JH is also right. Yuck!
Too funny Scott,

s4001 wrote:I actually like the color....


*runs and hides*

s4001 wrote:I actually like the color....


*runs and hides*

I don't hate it, but I'd worry about the stench.
Now, if it smelled like smoked pork, that would be a different story!

johnhall wrote:

blueflamerick wrote:I'd like to see what that guy's lungs look like.

You can't- he's gotta be dead! This is probably an estate sale . . .

Remember the old TOPAL commercials? The toothpaste for smokers? The person blows smoke in to a hanky. Thats what this finish looks like. "Imagine what a pack a day, everyday does to your teeth"? If you're smoking a pack a day the last thing you should be worried about is your teeth.