Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

naa ... the walnut stripe is too wide ... gotta love that blank black misshappen nameplate ...

I can't believe some of the e-mails I've received trashing me and Vox Talks as a result of this thread here in Peter's forum.

First off, I don't think you guys have dug around much find out who I am or what I dig. Aside from likely being one the biggest Ric geeks on the planet, I have done nothing but stand up for Rickenbacker and John Hall against some of more abusive folks out there on the internet. So before you go on a witch hunt, take a look around first to be sure you know who you're trashing. You can start in the C series overview on the Ric website:

http://www.rickenbacker.com/us/cseriesovx.htm

BTW, I can't stand trashy copy guitars.

Both Nick and A.J., the proprietors of the websites that I have mentioned, have done a tremendous job in the last few days to insure that a few misguided people don't ruin it for everyone. They've been totally cooperative and supportive in our attempts to eliminate instruments sales that violate our trademark rights. There is no reason at this point for anyone to give them any grief, and, in fact, I would suggest you visit their respective sites to get a broader perspective.

Another lovely copy being passed off as the real thing...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2512887846&category=4713

You know I was thinking that could be a Rickenfaker ... I am always suspicious of the blurry serial number photo .... also look how dark that fret board is ...

A serial number? I don't think the guitar even has one. Look closer. Then there's the treble p.u. and its mounting ring, the pickguard with knob position markers, the raised-letter nameplate which would be period-incorrect even if the bass was genuine, and a couple of further details that give this instrument away as a copy. Wow! That seller sure is cruisin' for a bruisin'.

My 2 cents worth is....That has to be a fake! The inlays are not edge to edge and the fretboard does not look right, and no checkerd binding??? 1971 4001 would have that, and what happened to the bridge pickup?? This one is good enough that it could fool the unsuspecting bass purchaser, and is good enough to fool one that has not researched the subtle details of vintage 4001's or all Rick basses at that. I think this one is a real jerk cheater, or the seller is not 100% sure himself. Either way It should be removed from ebay before someone gets ripped off...

Also, I just noticed but not sure, would not the tailpiece of a '71 have the slash in it over the mute between the A and D strings, like the 4001v63??

I'd agree that at the very least it isn't a '71, and is most probably a fake or a modifed version. The inlays in my '74 don't go side to side, and are pretty much a clear color (no crushed anything), and has a modern PU in the neck. When did toasters stop being used?

I've read that 1973 was the last year of the toaster on the 4001. After that it was the "high gain" that is still used today in modern form.

I wouldn't have it even it WASN'T a fake. Why get chopped liver at eBay when you can get cream of the crop at The-Music-Connection and PickoftheRicks??!!