Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

From what I've read right here, May 73 must have been the transition "month" for the button top /screw top pickups...
Anybody else see that, or am I misreading?

I think that's a good theory Mike and going forward we can keep our eye on that but like a lot of basses from this period there are anomolies like Jeff's although I'm pretty sure that pickup is not original to that bass.

On another note has anybody seen the really nice 1973 fireglo 4001 that Chicago Music Exchange has on Gbase. I called to see if it was a March and possibly had MOP inlays(I've only seen Feb and earlier with those). It had MOP inlays but was a Jan. And it could be yours for the low, low price of $5900. And that's OK because I already have a Jan.(And this is my 1000th post- yippee!)

And to celebrate and keep on theme here's my April 73 bridge pickup mounting plate, can you say Alcoa, I knew you could.... .

Well, let me take off my sweater and have a look...

Hi neighbor! My, my, that's a fine pickup you have there...happy 1000th to you!

Once I get the parts from Mike Parks and open the bass up again I will inspect it more closely. Since the ground wire is not original going to the treble pickup surround perhaps this pickup is not original. It does have the large magnet under the bobbin and enough dirt on it to maybe be original. We'll see.

Even if it is NOT original, Jeff, the beautiful wood more than makes up for it, IMO.

Another note, As seen on Mark's April 73, he has a split tailpiece, and screw top pup; where my May 73 has no split tailpiece and button top pup.

Mine also has the narrower (not FWMOP) inlays...and smaller headstock, (What's on the April, Mark?)

In common, they have a skunk stripe (I assume Mark's JG does) wavy Grovers and checker binding. Seems like May was a very transitional month...

If this is old news, sorry, I'm just thinking out loud.

My July '73 is like yours, Mike.

Mike- All 73 4001's have the skunk stripe and small headstock. My April is dark burgundy and has the wide acrylic inlays. My May is Azureglo and has the small acrylic inlays.

Thanks for that, Mark.
Is this information all laid out in one place somewhere? That'd be nice.

The "german" MG , Steve's pics show has the tailpiece just at the end of the body, no gap to the binding!? Like some 21-fretters, but it isn't!? Together with the sharp edged chrome surround of the bridge pu, I just wonder...???

Mike, it will all be documented in Paul Boyer's definitive Rick bass book when published.

Cool. Thanks.

Peter, that 73 German Ebay bass does have a gap in the binding. I assume you are talking about the binding at the tail piece.

I think he means the positioning of the bridge relative to the edge of the body.