Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hey Ted....I could use a tracing of that 4002 pickguard for the upcoming 10-string project.

No problem Dane. I will pull it off and make one for you. Email me with your address info.

I'm watching this auction and have some interest but, mods like the pickupsd which basically can't be reversed bother me.

I was thinking about that too. It would not be worth as much as a perfect one but it would still have much of that 4002 sound if it got a set of modern humbuckers.

Ted, if you would happen to pick up on it, and restore it with modern 4004 humbuckers, you would probably be the only one in the world that could do an honest side by side comparison on the sound difference.

:0

Here are the additional pics. The work was rather expertly done. Apart from the total disregard for the astetics on the pickguard, the work is professional. Notice that the pickups are lifted towards the strings on those rectangular bezels. The fingerboard of a 4002 comes off of the neck right at the body surface. This is unlike the 4001 that as some maple under the fingerboard at the body. The strings are actually closer to the body than are the strings of a 4001/3. If they had to raise the pickups - heck, if they were ABLE to raise the pickups that much the string geometry has likely been altered. The question is, did they apply the fretless fingerboard to the original making it necessary to raise the pickups? If so, did they leave the original fingerboard more or less intact in the process?

Here is the headstock. I can't tell if the finish is original.




Here you can see what I interpret to be raised pickups. The string space on a 4002 is normally tighter here.


The fingerboard was extended well on to the body.


This is as close as you can get to seeing the thickness of the fingerboard. I just can't tell from this shot.


The pickguard and pickups.


And finally, the reason for EVEN considering paying to bring a bass back across the Atlantic! (about $200)
Birdseye.................

GO FOR IT!!!!!

Call me a heretic, but the bridge on that seems like a better idea than the original! The wood is fantastic on that bass, but remember Ted, you "need" a bass with crushed pearl inlays for your research!

True Jeff! So many basses, so little time.

Money is only dirty paper anyway. ;]

So buying guitars is really dirty paper traded for bits of dead trees?

Well, there are a few middle men in the mix.

guys,
I own a freight forwarding company and as such have a massive discount with fedex (like less than half consumer rate). I can offer this to anyone on this forum at cost, and am willing to trust the good name of anyone here to pay me by return. So if you want anything shipped either direction across the pond or via UK I can help. All you got to do is e mail me guys and tell me what you need doing. I dont suppose shipping will ever be a deal breaker, but every penny helps!

In return I want a heads up on all those lefties out there!

What kind of bridge could I put in there should I decide to grab it?

That fretboard is kinda cool. Looks like a standup with that overhang.