Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I see - a bar magnet under the bobbin in high-gain-fashion.
As for the bass pictured above, why is the pickguard overlapping the treble pickup surround?...

Good question Sérgio! Perhaps it is not all-original? Or maybe there were three correct pickup surrounds for that year, and this is a very rare one of them, I dunno. It could be just washed out contrast, but I can't see the finger rest. My guess would be just a poorly-cut pickguard replacement. The factory has historically done a better job than that, as far as fit and finish.

Hey, did you ever get a good finger rest for your Jaclyn from Dale? She was really looking good last time I saw her! The best-looking and most prized 4001 I have yet to see - a genuine original 21-fretter Surely the apex of Rick production among all 4001...

Well, if we all look closely at Gerry's wonderful RM1999 bass, posted just one page previous, you will see that, yes, indeed, the pickguard overlaps the surround considerably.

And surprise, it's made from the same month as this bass, and yes, like his bass it's 99.9% probably completely factory stock original.

I don't know about other members, but I see a finger rest installed with the correct screws.

Regarding such topics of conversation, especially when addressing a perceived negative, or, a potential critique is implied, members must be informed of what they are saying before posting assumed conclusions that are incorrect.

The credibility of the member and forum suffers from such action.

Thank you Andy !!!!!!

Vince, a question for you...while we're talking about old Rick basses...

Have you seen or heard of any 60's left-handed Rickenbacker basses...? I have heard that another 4001-S LH was made around 1967, but other than McCartney's '64 that's all I've heard about...just curious, thanks.

Hey Elys. Actually I have not contacted Dale yet. Jaclyn continues to make a killing wherever I take her.
As for Gerry's bass, if indeed it is in a stock configuration then whoever installed the hardware and stuff on it back in the mid-'60s did a sloppy job.

Soooo, 10k plus?

Undoubtedly. There are many who will pay that or more, certainly.

Sergio, why this is is hard to say but the PG is original. Possibly the pickup route was done slightly too far forward and when they came to fit the guard it just didn't fit. This is presuming that the PG's were all made to a template. There is evidence that more than one PG was tried on this bass as there is a screw missing on the guard but the hole is underneath. At the time it was made there was a big shipment being readied for export and I suspect the factory adhered to the motto "If in doubt ship it out".
It can't be corrected without making a new guard but then it wouldn't be original would it?
If you look at the one for sale you can see the large style PG common back then butts right up to the pickup surround. Not much margin for error if the pickup rout is slightly out.

Gerry - this may sound sacrelij, but have you considered drilling a new hole in the PG for the 8th screw - AND/OR - letting somebody trim down the edge of the PG that overlaps the surround?

Mark, yes I have but....
I'm not fussed that it's missing the screw. If I trim the edge I would have to cut through the top hole and that wouldn't look too good. If I trim it even further the hole would be exposed and I'd have to drill another. So, after mulling over this for many a moon I'm just going to leave it.

John, I have not seen a lefty 60’s 4000/4001 for sale, in a collection, on stage or in any book. I did see a 60’s 4005 that was a left-handed model. I never inspected that 4005 in person so I cannot be sure it was original but the photos I was sent made it appear correct. A 63 4000 I just purchased that had its fire glow finish removed was set up to play lefty. The bridge saddles did not get changed nor did the nut. Instead an added strap button was the only change. I believe the bass had its finish removed due to the owner being a McCartney fan. The bass and its parts are so clean that it would seem the attempt was to mimic McCartney's finish-removed RM1999 rather than to clean it up with a re-finish. That and the fact it was left almost bare. Good thing the guy did not have it sanded like Paul’s bass. I think more than anyone it was Chris Squire that excited folks to own a Rickenbacker 4000/4001. Had McCartney been more obvious earlier on with his Rickenbacker a few lefties may have been ordered early on in production.

Thanks Vince, and yes I have experienced the same thing about 4001 basses; I have only heard of the 'other' 4001-S, possibly from 1967. I had a chance a few years back to buy the only lefty 4005/6 ever made, it was from '66 or '67. A 4001 was supposedly made for Jimi Hendrix although I know nothing about it, and I know he owned a lefty 360/12 for there are pictures of it. Most of us lefties have found it difficult to get further back than 1971 or '72, they are still rare but there are a few out there. My oldest lefty Rick is a '67 360/12.

Sorry to get O/T, now back to the '64 4001..

Quote - "And yes, I shamelessly have done this with FCFS Forum sellers' offers both on the 1969 AZ and the 1966 4005 WB.."

A 69 Azure? Where? Lemme see it!!!!!

Oh man, would I love to have this bass!