1970 21 fret 4001FG in Ebay!

jps · Post by **jps** » Thu Jul 03, 2003 2:29 pm

Yeah, the matching wood is a nice idea but I have a feeling there is not a lot of depth to work with which is why the cover is not currently flush. A wood cover may be too thin to be strong enough not to break. If this is the case I can live with plastic just fine.

As far as the split coil controls go I am thinking of eventually replacing the HB pickups with toasters so the switches would be a moot point.

rickcrazy · Post by **rickcrazy** » Thu Jul 03, 2003 2:38 pm

Well, well, well, a 21 fret 4001 just like my November 1970 one - except for the 2nd version Grover tuners, the parallel-running knobs (is that pickguard legit?) and the PERIOD-INCORRECT nameplate, that is.
Yes, Paul, the (original) TRC on my 21 fret 4001 only reads 'Made in U.S.A.'.
How very interesting. I'll be back to further comment on this rare find on Ebay.

paul_yan · Post by **paul_yan** » Thu Jul 03, 2003 2:54 pm

Hey hey Sérgio, welcome back.
Got your message.
I knew you had to check in here before going to bed!
Hope the computer stays fine from now on.

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Thu Jul 03, 2003 7:15 pm

I'm #4 for both a 21 fret 4003 and 4004Cii, I'd like to see the 4003 stay current because to me it blows away most of the "New" basses. Although I must admit I would use the 21st fret about once in a year if I were lucky. I just think that it looks cool. I very rarely go past the first octave unless I'm doing a solo.

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Thu Jul 03, 2003 7:19 pm

Sergio, you are saying that your nameplate (TRC, truss rod cover?) just says "Made in USA" on it? If so they must have started saying "Model 4001" right after that or around that period.

ken_james · Post by **ken_james** » Thu Jul 03, 2003 9:01 pm

The original truss rod covers (plexi) only had the made in USA screened on them, later in 73 they began the model info and used the raised plastic that is still in use. The pickguard looks like the real deal, I don't think someone would go to the trouble to drill thumbrest holes.

squirebass · Post by **squirebass** » Fri Jul 04, 2003 12:55 am

I got the nameplate with "Made in USA" on mine, but no "Model 4001". But my '73 has got all of that on it, and its plexi, too.
I agree dedgoat, looks like those two holes were originally for the thumbrest, and I wonder if it is still in the case or something. Have you asked the seller about it?
And I will add my vote to the poll, I'm totally in support of Rickenbacker continuing to make basses, with a 21 fret option...
I am so tempted to order a Laredo in that Montezuma Brown finish...
Sounds like the wait on a 4004 is close to a year or more...

jps · Post by **jps** » Fri Jul 04, 2003 1:20 am

I have asked the seller twice about things with no response! I would not trust this guy.

wints · Post by **wints** » Fri Jul 04, 2003 1:54 am

The pickguard looks original to me..the thumbrest holes make it highly unlikely that it,s not..Here,s a question for those that have these holes in their pickguards...What is the measurement between the securing holes?...Let,s see if there is any difference...On the 21 fret option..The 4005,s in the 60,s had 21 frets, as well as the odd 4001,s in the 60s,/early 70,s that we are discussing here..and the 4002 when introduced in the late 70,s....Ric has got it right now and then..it,s just now that we,re stuck at 20. There really should be a 21 fret bass in the Ric line up today.

rickcrazy · Post by **rickcrazy** » Fri Jul 04, 2003 2:17 am

The measurement between the centres of the finger rest holes on my November 1970 21 fret 4001 is roughly 1 10/16".
Yeah, the truss rod cover on my June 1974 4001 says 'Model 4001 / Made in U.S.A.', while the one on my 21 fret 4001 only says 'Made in U.S.A.'.

rickcrazy · Post by **rickcrazy** » Fri Jul 04, 2003 2:26 am

Just one more thing:
It's okay to pull for a current version of the 21 fret 4001 bass, however I feel that a good deal of their charisma lies in their having been made for only a short period of time (late 60s/early 70s) and hence in their being quite scarce. I'm sure most of you will agree with me on that.

paul_yan · Post by **paul_yan** » Fri Jul 04, 2003 4:36 am

I'm with you on that, Sergio.
The best way to maintain the charisma of these late 60s/early 70s 21-fret 4001's and the (less rare?) 4002's while responding to the potential new 4003 buyers' needs is to produce 4003, not 4001 reissue basses, with 21 frets.
The vintage holy grail status of the late 60s/early 70s 21-fret 4001's will thus be pleasantly secured.

By the way, the TRC on my Oct. '72 4001 FL is the clear type with both "MADE IN U.S.A." and "MODEL 4001". I however can't be 100% sure of its authenticity since I'm not the first owner.

ken_james · Post by **ken_james** » Fri Jul 04, 2003 5:42 am

I tried emailing the guy but didn't get a response, so I'm not even going to try. It would be a cool item to add to the herd but it reminds me of a certain seller that kept trying to sell a "63" 4001 in fireglo on ebay.

wints · Post by **wints** » Fri Jul 04, 2003 5:59 am

Kendall, that "63" looks pretty genuine imho....I never tire of looking at it...Real Ric eye candy....it,s the "selling" that seems to be a little economical with the truth...

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Fri Jul 04, 2003 6:31 am

I have a 72 4001FL with a plexi name plate and had a 75 with a plexi nameplate and both also said "Model 4001" I know they are original. My 72 is and my 75 (where ever it is) was identical to Pauls. My 72 is LL Dec. 72.