Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I think it can be repaired ... the neck pickup route has me a little scared ... that could weaken the neck ...

but a new pickguard and a neck repair and a good truss rod adjustment and it may be ok ... use low tension strings if possible ...

Looks like it had a Mudbucker in it at some point. Pre-cap mod, people did some crazy things to make it bassier.
I've seen worse neck delaminations than that..that might be from a bad truss rod adjustment "popping" the board off. Thank God they stopped when they did!! Might need a new nut as well, looks like that one is falling out.

I was going to buy a 65 with the same routed area for a eb pickup anyway, i was told to fill in the routes with strips of would to strengthen the neck

A friend of mine who is also luthier here in Rome has a totally original 1972 fireglo 4001... that bass has checkered binding, grover tuners, large headstock ... a toaster neck pickup and a horseshoe!

I've seen far worse on a 60's bass too Javier. It has aged to that amber colour that is real attractive. There are a couple of people around that could make that bass as new. It's not that bad. Chances are you will have to send it somewhere though.
Francesco, chances are that horseshoe is unoriginal to the 72 bass. I'd be very surprised if it came that way, some 3-4 years after that hardware last featured on the 4001.

I know it's strange...but that's it...he was crazy for Chris Squire and his mother bought that bass for him as new in 72 for present...and the serial number confirm that

I'd be interested to see a few pics of it. Did she buy in in Italy? It almosts sounds like a late 60's bass that was hanging around partly finished and then updated with tuners and serial number. Could be a one off....

yes, she purchased the instrument in Rome ...as I said, it has:
checkered binding
horseshoe
toaster neck pu
fireglo
60s style headstock
grover tuners machines (I don't like them, too large)
serial number starts with "L"

Huh, the early 72 that I had, and now belongs to Jim had the small headstock, and did not have a horseshoe.

It does sound like a 60's body. What would be interesting to see (apart from the H/S)is if the Fireglo is the late 60's type or the 72/73 type which is a shade lighter.

As far as I can remember it looks quite dark and yellowed in the center of the body

Ken, it's good to know that John Slog still has my 68. He told me that he would take good care of it when I sold it to him.
He said that he had been collecting basses and sent me a couple of photos of what he had, or once had at the time.
One of the photos was of his RIC collection.
12 vintage RIC basses to die for. Here's a small version of it. If anyone wants a larger version of it just email me and i'll sent one to you. Makes great wallpaper for your desktop.
Enjoy.

you gotta love all of those walnut headwings ... he needs a jetglo in there somewhere ...

There's only one Burgundyglo. He told me it was a 68. That's it second from the left. There's great detail in the large version of this shot if anyone wants a copy.

I would love a copy of the large version. That is one heck of a collection!