Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

That's more or less right, except that it's work order, not customer order. The serial number is generated as the work order goes to the woodshop at the first of the week and all serials/barcodes will have been applied by the end of the week. The exception is the acoustic shop which has a different scheduling process.

So the serial number is determined by when the work order itself was cut? If a work order was cut in January but the actual production did not occur until March, will the serial number reflect January?

The following is the information I researched and collected when I had my 4002, (now Chris's).

This is a quote from John Hall on the Newsgroups: alt.guitar.rickenbacker Apr 24 1998, 3:00 am

"Well, this is only partly true. While the 4002 remained on the price list
until 1986, the last unit was actually made during 1980. It just took 6
years to sell out stock!

Also, a few people have "recreated" the 4002 by playing with the parts,
although I've only seen one of these with an ebony fingerboard . . . it's a
real tough job to change the fingerboard!"

If this is accurate, all of the 4002's where made from 78 to 1980.

This is the most up to date list of current 4002 owners that I know of. Use this for your record keeping Chris.

Chris Pappas Jan. 82 Walnut
Ted Staberow ? Walnut
Greg Skinner ? MG
Dave McDonald 78 MG
Bob Belloff 1982
Woody Memphis, TN. 1982 Tourtise P/G
Bill Stoner June 84 walnut fretless
Blair Seaboyer 82 walnut fretless
Jerry Pound 78 MG

Bill, I am curious as to why your TRC doesn't have model 4002 on it.

There was a 4002 sold here about a year or so ago. It was in the local vintage shop and the dealer was looking for about $1500 cdn. I think it went through ebay to someone in the states. Blair and I both remember seeing it in the shop. It was mapleglow and in good shape.

Bob, mine is a '79.

If a work order was cut in January but the actual production did not occur until March

Never happen! A work order will move the guitar out in the same week.

As for my TRC I'm not sure. It must have been replaced? Or God forbid, I have a very convincing fake?

Of course! The whole bass! That's what it is, Bill...

Hey, don't feel bad....To ease your pain, I'll take it off your hands for what you paid for it...

Bob, you forgot my 4002 in your list; it's a Walnut from May 1982 (VE date code).

No If I were ever to part with it it would be for way more than I paid for it. But nice try There is obviously much conflicting info about these beauties. It's disappointing that the manufacturing records for them are so shoddy. If the last ones really were made in 1980 how do 5 out of 9 known to us have serial numbers past that date? Perhaps they came off of an earlier pallet?

I was just over at rickbeat looking at the "1993 inventory page" maybe we can convince Bjorn to do one for the 4002 too...

Got you covered Gary. Thanks!
Ted, I have your year updated also.

Just kidding Bill....You hold on and treasure....

I think we can say that they were certainly being made after 1980...

That MG 4002 of Pat McGough over at Rickbeat is why I prefer a natural one. Probably the best wood I've seen on a Rickenbacker bass period...

I know of a couple more in fact, but am waiting for them to possibly come up for sale...

Andrew, here's hoping that you can soon join the club...

wow thats a gorgeous fl 4002...mine looked like that once...lol....if i remember correctlee i ordered mine in '82...or might have been '81....ill find my documentation...i kept it all...just moved to a new place so theres still boxes to go through...i remember the day she came in tho...april 13th...anniversarys cant be forgotten...giggle

Thanks! I'm not sure the exact day I got mine. I'll have to go back and check the receipt. Yours has tons of character though My case is actually a little beat but not the bass (yet). I try to be careful but I have given her some dings since I've had her.

I know all about the moving trials... I moved a month ago and am still partly living out of boxes. The joys of remodelling/refurbishing your home