Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I had a fireglo 78 4001 (I sold it around 1995) and the pickguard was NOT transparent
I have a fireglo 97 4001V63 and the white pickguard is NOT transparent
I have a Blue Boy 2004 4003 and the white pickguard is NOT transparent

in none of them you can see the wiring cavity or anything else through the pickguard...only in the C64S and this seems to be common...if one compares the pictures in the link posted (mapleglo 4003/4001C64) the difference between the pickguards appears clear

Starless wrote:
I think I owe it to the horseshoe to give it every chance - it is a major part of the vintage-ness and coolness of the bass.

I agree. But after giving mine a chance for what I though was long enough, I voted for full string access. I was able to "get used" to the horseshoe, but I will always be a better player with it off and that's what's most important to me.

And another cool thing about a C64S as opposed to the CS re-issue bass is that Macca didn't have the horseshoe all through the 70's. He had a hi-gain. So in my opinion the bass is authentic with or without the shoes, and actually had more playtime (in current paint-stripped form) with the shoes off.

rickinroma wrote:I had a fireglo 78 4001 (I sold it around 1995) and the pickguard was NOT transparent
I have a fireglo 97 4001V63 and the white pickguard is NOT transparent
I have a Blue Boy 2004 4003 and the white pickguard is NOT transparent

in none of them you can see the wiring cavity or anything else through the pickguard...only in the C64S and this seems to be common...if one compares the pictures in the link posted (mapleglo 4003/4001C64) the difference between the pickguards appears clear

Hmmm....Your 2004 4003 isn't see-through but your 2003 C64S is? That's odd. I have a 2006 4003 and I'm pretty sure it has (had) a see-through pick guard, but the bass went to Dale Fortune 6 months ago to be turned into a V68 so I can't check.

Anybody else?

rickaddict wrote: Hmmm....Your 2004 4003 isn't see-through but your 2003 C64S is? That's odd.

My 4001C64S is from August 2006

probably basses in Mapleglo enhance this detail

Graeme, bass porn for a MapleGlo junkie like me! Thanks! I just noticed the C64S does not have the vintage-type bridge pickup surround.... huh.

As to pickguards - I have bought 2 C64 guards and both are see-through and both have the oversized neck pup hole. Not sure why. And my Nov. 2004 4003MG had a see-through guard before it was C64'd.

johnallg wrote:Graeme, bass porn for a MapleGlo junkie like me! Thanks! I just noticed the C64S does not have the vintage-type bridge pickup surround.... huh.

I thought you noticed that on mine at RIO!



These parts were exchanged for new (70's) parts when the bass went back to RIC: Tail piece (no gap), bridge, bridge pickup/surround (hi gain/70's surround) and a new pick guard was made (in the shape of the old one).

These were major improvements in the sound, playability, functionality, and appearance of the bass.

Okay, devil's advocate - if this is a Macca repro, why the HS and not a high gain??!! With the high gain type suirround, having a HG and not a HS would have made more sense.

I think it has the HS because they want to reproduce the bass as it is NOW....if I recall correctly they installed a new HS not long ago

rickinroma wrote:I think it has the HS because they want to reproduce the bass as it is NOW....if I recall correctly they installed a new HS not long ago

Hard to tell, seeing he plays that OTHER bass now!

I didn't know Macca's original pick-up surround was different, but I did notice I had no gap-tooth tailpiece - so presume Macca had the suround and tailpiece changed out at some point. So I must have a 'Macca as it is today' kind of bass (should I get a Red Rose Speedway sticker to make it totally authentic, or is that now not on his bass? - when was the last time his Rick was seen/photographed in public?).

On that subject, I notice there are C64 (no 'S') models on the go, in satin maple. These must be modelled on Macca's tea-break version of his bass. i.e. he knocked off another track for 'McCartney' (probably Momma Miss America) then headed out to the barn brandishing his turbo nutter b*st*rd sander, shaved off the top to get rid of the psycho artwork, then stopped for tea (or maybe made his way upstairs and had a smoke) before returning to savage the horns.

A C64 in natural maple (with horns intact) must be modelled on that tea/smoke break version.

Wow, I loved the photos! Especially this one. I think they like each other The one on the right has a big smile

Starless wrote:These must be modelled on Macca's tea-break version of his bass. i.e. he knocked off another track for 'McCartney' (probably Momma Miss America) then headed out to the barn brandishing his turbo nutter b*st*rd sander, shaved off the top to get rid of the psycho artwork, then stopped for tea (or maybe made his way upstairs and had a smoke) before returning to savage the horns.

The 4003 is even thinner and more transparent. I don't think it does the bass any favours - just looks like they used cheap (Mexican or Korean) plastic.

According to reliable sources (hi, Paul!) the only part of a Rickenbacker guitar or bass not made in the US is the Chinese sticker that says "Made in USA"

But surely my C64S should bear the legend: "Made in America, Designed in Scotland"

Starless wrote:But surely my C64S should bear the legend: "Made in America, Designed in Scotland"

Here's your sticker: