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Re: 1969 4000 MG
Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 7:57 pm
by Top Gun
Here are various shots of my 1968 RIC 4000 Bass. It is 100% factory original. It is in 9.5 condition with only some very minor marks on the back (nothing through the finish). It has a stunning Fireglo color and weighs only 8.5 pounds.
It is one of the earliest RIC non-horseshoe basses. The pickup is a very early “hi-gain” that differs from any other’s I have seen (It’s similar to some of the early “hi-gains” as seen on early RIC 381’s) - the bobbin is a milky-white clear color with different looking pole-pieces… very unusual; I have NEVER seen one like this before.
It sounds amazing and has unbelievable output...
The CTS pot codes date to: 8th week of 1968. The jack-plate dates to: November 1968
Re: 1969 4000 MG
Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 8:04 pm
by s4001
Very sweet example. It has the same flame grain that my '68 does. Bet it sounds great!
Re: 1969 4000 MG
Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 8:06 pm
by berth
Top Gun wrote:Here are various shots of my 1968 RIC 4000 Bass.
Nice Bass! (And I dont even like FireGlo.)
Re: 1969 4000 MG
Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 8:11 pm
by rickcrazy
My, look at the great condition that beauty is in! As for the high-gain pickup on it, you sure got me curious. Care to post a picture of it, Mac?
Re: 1969 4000 MG
Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 9:10 pm
by wints
Beautiful bass Mac...
You are right, one of the first without the HS. A MG 4000 with a Nov jackplate sold a few years ago, and up until your post was the earliest I had seen.
I have a Dec 68 in much the same condition as your bass, also without the horseshoe, and, a Feb 69 that does have one!
I'd like to see a few pix of the p/up as well...
Re: 1969 4000 MG
Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 9:45 pm
by Top Gun
These are the best photos I can provide without removing the cover (please don’t ask me to remove the cover because I WILL NOT: the cover has NEVER been off this bass guitar).
As you can see, the bobbins are not painted black with rounded “nubs” for each individual pole-piece. These bobbins are an un-painted, milky-clear or off-white color (with “screws” as individual pole-pieces). Very early and rare!
Like I said, this is one of the earliest 4000/4001 non-horseshoe basses I have ever seen…
Re: 1969 4000 MG
Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 9:52 pm
by dswp
Nice one Mac.
Man that is a clean one....
Re: 1969 4000 MG
Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 10:35 pm
by cheyenne
Very nice Mac. I really like the 4000. I could have bought a Jetglo (unknown year) back in the late '70's at a pawn shop in Dayton OH for $325.00.
That was alot of money for me back then. The damn thing was mint though.
Welcome to the forum.
Re: 1969 4000 MG
Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 10:40 pm
by wints
That looks like a typical green bobbin with screw polepieces from this period, from about mid 68 until 70.
Jeff Rath has a good photo of one in his old Sept 68 bass with the horseshoe...
Re: 1969 4000 MG
Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 10:46 pm
by Top Gun
Sorry if I described the color of the bobbins wrong. Either way, I know that this is an early hi-gain pick-up.
Here are some additional photos of my 68 bass...
Re: 1969 4000 MG
Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 11:24 pm
by ben_brown
Hey Mac...welcome to the forum. That is one beautiful bass. Tell me...is the pickup cover plastic or metal
Re: 1969 4000 MG
Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 11:25 pm
by johnallg
Beautiful, Mac. By chance do you know if it is routed for a pickup at the neck position? Just curious. Great FG color and aging.
Re: 1969 4000 MG
Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 11:28 pm
by ben_brown
More pictures please. That is one hell of a bass. Absolutely stunning!
Re: 1969 4000 MG
Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 11:32 pm
by Top Gun
Yes there is a FACTORY rout for a front pick-up under the pick-guard (just like an original Fender Esquire)… However, no other pick-up has EVER been installed in this bass.
Re: 1969 4000 MG
Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 12:33 am
by rick_ovic
You have a stunning example there, Mac. I love the pictures...thanks.