Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Seans wrote:1970-71 with odd specials turning up. http://www.rickresource.com/register/ga ... =0&month=0

Actually, the earliest is late '69. I think it's on the register, but it's not listed as a 21r, and no pics so it's pretty incognito...

Perhaps a lesser issue for some than others, the accuracy of how the '74 is represented in the register. Primarily the register is most useful to determine ownership, yet on the point of determining value, I think most people know that it's a post-factory mod, how the 21st fret is squeezed in at the edge like that. But on the other hand, the clarification of that mod would be good for the record especially for those not "in the know."

Personally, I think it's a cool idea. I thought about that years ago, and I'm glad that someone else out there actually did it.

Going back and checking out the ins & outs of the Rick Registry, I see that additional notes made on the listings in the "comments" box don't show up on the standard search. For example, I listed my 1976 4001FL as fretless even though it was originally fretted from the factory. In my notes I wrote that it was originally fretted, and also due to the jackplate being a replacement, the dating is based on the pot codes. But none of that information is visible on the listing. So it's possible that the owner of the '74 21-fretter indicated it's customization in the "comments" but that aspect just can't be seen.

For me, a real 21-fretter is not just the number of frets (or pitch of the highest fretted note), but also the relocated tailpiece/bridge and the resulting different position of the pickups in relation to the harmonic nodes.

Yep, certainly the neck pup, which is positioned on the 2nd octave and the same in relation to the post 75 20 fretters. Lesser so is the position of the Bridge pup in distance moved but all the same nearer the bridge and so a different sound for sure. I wonder if the neck pup was going to be moved to this position anyway and they thought why not stick another fret in there, but manufacturing limits got in the way.

walker wrote:...the '74...I think most people know that it's a post-factory mod, how the 21st fret is squeezed in at the edge like that. But on the other hand, the clarification of that mod would be good for the record especially for those not "in the know."

Personally, I think it's a cool idea. I thought about that years ago, and I'm glad that someone else out there actually did it.

There is another '74 4001 with that exact mod, but I do not see it in the register.

Personally, I think it's a cool idea.

+1!

I have the same issue with the comments on this very
bass not showing. Since mine is a refin and a color change
I do not want to purport it as anything other than what it is.

I think the mod is cool and creative, but for the sake of accuracy
in the register , it should be listed as such.

For me, I just love the 70-71 basses and that's cool enough,
though I'm certainly grateful that this elusive beast has come
to my house:-)

Comments only show up if it is a collected item...

chefothefuture wrote:

Seans wrote:1970-71 with odd specials turning up. http://www.rickresource.com/register/ga ... =0&month=0

Actually, the earliest is late '69. I think it's on the register, but it's not listed as a 21r, and no pics so it's pretty incognito...

Interesting I seem to remember Chris Squire's bass was thought to be a 69, but it turned out to be an early 70

Seans wrote:

chefothefuture wrote:

Seans wrote:1970-71 with odd specials turning up. http://www.rickresource.com/register/ga ... =0&month=0

Actually, the earliest is late '69. I think it's on the register, but it's not listed as a 21r, and no pics so it's pretty incognito...

Interesting I seem to remember Chris Squire's bass was thought to be a 69, but it turned out to be an early 70

The earliest and perhaps first is IJxxx.

So, the folks at Rick had this idea in the works fairly early on.