New Acquisition: '63 4000

[woodyng]

great lookin bass as is,i think i would be tempted to leave it that way myself,but of course it would look fantastic in fireglo,too......congrats!

[wints]

Congrats Dave.

Cool old 63. Nice to see an original HS and bobbin in there. I'd like to see some close ups of that so everyone here knows what an original looks like.

This bass reminds me of a stripped 63 4000 that someone else picked up last year with a beautiful birdseye neck. The finish chosen here will hopefully show this grain at it's best also.

[jakeox]

Cool old 63. Nice to see an original HS and bobbin in there. I'd like to see some close ups of that so everyone here knows what an original looks like.

Certainly would have come in handy a couple weeks ago. Or a couple months ago.

[wints]

Cool old 63. Nice to see an original HS and bobbin in there. I'd like to see some close ups of that so everyone here knows what an original looks like.

Certainly would have come in handy a couple weeks ago. Or a couple months ago.

It would.

I'd like to see a visual history of these from @ 62 on, so we can all hopefully get a better understanding of what's out there.
This is what I have seen on every bass from 63 until about early 68 that is original.


A soft black plastic bobbin with a very thin lip. Now, that doesn't mean to say that it is definitive, but so far...

[basse]

OK, will try to get at the horseshoe to post better pix in the next couple o' days!

[weemac]

... Gotta consider the tailpiece area, too, and come up with something that works, looks good, and fits the era appearance.

That was my first thought when going for a transparent finish. It looks as though the piece of wood set in at the bridge may not be covered by a stock or Hipshot bridge.

It has the look that the whole tailpiece area was recessed to get a lower action. Some earlier Rickenbackers do not have enough back angle to get a decent action (others have just got some neck to body join collapse). The trick is to make a custom bridge that is thinner (lower profile) than the original. The aluminum tailpiece can then be used without modifiaction.

Quite likely that piece of dodgy wood could be removed and then refilled with some rock maple. The aluminum tailpiece (which is ever so slightly wider than the current ones) would come close to covering the damage.
Even with a transparent finish I don't think the damage would be that noticeable once it's all together.
It would look restored but who cares, its still alive and kicking!

Eden.

[weemac]

A soft black plastic bobbin with a very thin lip....

Held in place with some dodgy silver putty and two screws that seem too short!

Eden.

[sloop_john_b]

Gosh that is a sweet piece. I wouldn't touch it.

[wints]

It has the look that the whole tailpiece area was recessed to get a lower action. Some earlier Rickenbackers do not have enough back angle to get a decent action (others have just got some neck to body join collapse).

Yup....You can recess, AND then take this alternative as well...

[brycycle]

i've just skimmed the the thread so i'm not sure if this has been brought-up - is the bass routed for a neck pup?

if so, you could do a pretty convincing RM tribute.

below is the '69 4000 i purchased from Teeder recently.

[basse]

Hey Bryce, nope no extra routing under the PG... I'll do my best to take some more photos of the horseshoe and under the pickguard tonight!

[basse]

Ok, a couple of more pics. Sorry Bryce, forgot about under the pickguard but there's nothing there, no extra routing just wood...

As you can see from the cavity it clearly used to be FG...



And Wints, the horseshoe does have that VERY thin early '60s, plastic bobbin... Here's hoping it lasts another 46 years!




Let me know if there are any other angles or photos that anyone would like to see.

BTW, Paul W has agreed to try and bring this back to it's old FG glory! Wish us luck! Finished photos some time mid next year! Yee-hah! I can't wait!!!

[s4001]

Excellent news. Can't wait to see the progression.

We need a popcorn smiley.

[jps]

Excellent news. Can't wait to see the progression.

We need a popcorn smiley.

[wints]

Dave,

Glad to see it has the original bobbin and horseshoes, that really makes it special, even without the original finish. It should look great after the fireglo refin.

Keep us posted!