1974 White Binding, Black Guard & Nameplate 4001
Moderators: rickenbrother, ajish4
To my eye, there's only one way that Sergio's "new" '74 Black On Black 4001 could look sharper... and that's if there were a way to create a white outline around the edges of the pickguard and TRC. That would create an attractive continuity between those lines and the line created by the white binding around the edge of the bass.
My first bass was a Rickenbacker...
My best bass is a Rickenbacker...
My last bass may very well be a Rickenbacker
My best bass is a Rickenbacker...
My last bass may very well be a Rickenbacker
The white outline concept is not totally outlandish, however I ain't gonna do it - I like the bass just the way it is.
Like all Rickenbacker basses, this one is special. No, I won't replace its pickups with my own, as this one 4001 requires no such upgrade - the original pickups are strong and balanced, with even volume across the strings.
Playing this one through my TR35B amp is a magical experience - total Rickenbacker tone. Like I've said elsewhere, soundwise the current 4003 model leaves something to be desired. I'd rather 'do business' with a well worn 70's 4001 than a new 4003 any day. Thanks for reading.
Like all Rickenbacker basses, this one is special. No, I won't replace its pickups with my own, as this one 4001 requires no such upgrade - the original pickups are strong and balanced, with even volume across the strings.
Playing this one through my TR35B amp is a magical experience - total Rickenbacker tone. Like I've said elsewhere, soundwise the current 4003 model leaves something to be desired. I'd rather 'do business' with a well worn 70's 4001 than a new 4003 any day. Thanks for reading.
A Rickenbacker bass is much like the Jaguar E car - perennially ultra-fashionable.
Some technical stuff.
Treble pickup reads 7.7 K, bass pickup reads 7.9. The treble tone control dates to the 47th week of 1973 and has 'Mexico' in tiny letters between the two number codes, the other three pots date to the 14th week of 1974. The whole wiring harness appears to be original, so what's with the 'Mexico' treble tone control?
The bottom of the control cavity has "4001-F" and "1-4-8" pencilled on a small unsprayed area thereof. What do the 'F' and '1-4-8' stand for?
As for the black truss-rod cover & pickguard, just how rare were these appointments in 1974?
Treble pickup reads 7.7 K, bass pickup reads 7.9. The treble tone control dates to the 47th week of 1973 and has 'Mexico' in tiny letters between the two number codes, the other three pots date to the 14th week of 1974. The whole wiring harness appears to be original, so what's with the 'Mexico' treble tone control?
The bottom of the control cavity has "4001-F" and "1-4-8" pencilled on a small unsprayed area thereof. What do the 'F' and '1-4-8' stand for?
As for the black truss-rod cover & pickguard, just how rare were these appointments in 1974?
A Rickenbacker bass is much like the Jaguar E car - perennially ultra-fashionable.
Sérgio,
As far as I know, the "F" means batch F.
I don't have a clue what "1-4-8" stands for though.
I seem to remember seeing "Mexico" on the pots of my Akiko (Dec. '72 4001 FL MG) too.
There are pencil writings in her control cavity:
9 ARC
R.R.
4001 J
I emailed Mr. Mark Arnquist asking him if he had any ideas since he worked there at the time and he kindly replied:
----------------------------
What do the writings of the cavities mean ...
R.R. = Robert Rader , he was the paint booth prep man .. his signature meant it was ready to spray .
4001 J = body shape was 4001 batch J . It does not mean anything but that . The next batch was not necessarily K ... it may have been any letter
9 ARC = Earl ... he was a sander in the paint prep area . Writing in a cavity with a pencil .... well penmanship was not a consideration . He was there for about two years .
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As far as I know, the "F" means batch F.
I don't have a clue what "1-4-8" stands for though.
I seem to remember seeing "Mexico" on the pots of my Akiko (Dec. '72 4001 FL MG) too.
There are pencil writings in her control cavity:
9 ARC
R.R.
4001 J
I emailed Mr. Mark Arnquist asking him if he had any ideas since he worked there at the time and he kindly replied:
----------------------------
What do the writings of the cavities mean ...
R.R. = Robert Rader , he was the paint booth prep man .. his signature meant it was ready to spray .
4001 J = body shape was 4001 batch J . It does not mean anything but that . The next batch was not necessarily K ... it may have been any letter
9 ARC = Earl ... he was a sander in the paint prep area . Writing in a cavity with a pencil .... well penmanship was not a consideration . He was there for about two years .
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