Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

wints wrote:Well....

Real late to this thread, and apologies to all, especially Tony!

In a word...Stunning!

A rare enough bass in it's own right, but in this condition really something very special. One of the finest 60's examples I've ever seen, and made me think of my '68 immediately, with the complete lack of yellowing on the binding and inlays. A true case queen, that when you first see them you can hardly believe it yourself!

Congrats TM!

Hi Andy,

I was looking forward what you had to say. Thanks very much, but no appologies are in order, really.

Ah ha! That '68 is yours! I didn't know that. I've been admiring it on the register. It's a real beauty!!!
Is that the original factory issue case? I've seen a couple other '68s with orange cases...but wasn't sure if
they were Fender cases or not. I have a '71 4001 with the same case...no Fender logo...no nameplate, no rivets.

sloop_john_b wrote:Was this one hiding out in Jersey Tony?

That's right John, right here in NJ. It was part of a guitar collection...unfortunately, there was nothing else really exciting...& no other Rics.

opticnerve wrote:Ah ha! That '68 is yours! I didn't know that. I've been admiring it on the register. It's a real beauty!!!
Is that the original factory issue case? I've seen a couple other '68s with orange cases...but wasn't sure if
they were Fender cases or not. I have a '71 4001 with the same case...no Fender logo...no nameplate, no rivets.

The case for my '69 has an orange lining too, plus a little more padding and reinforcement as well.....

leftybass wrote:

opticnerve wrote:Ah ha! That '68 is yours! I didn't know that. I've been admiring it on the register. It's a real beauty!!!
Is that the original factory issue case? I've seen a couple other '68s with orange cases...but wasn't sure if
they were Fender cases or not. I have a '71 4001 with the same case...no Fender logo...no nameplate, no rivets.

The case for my '69 has an orange lining too, plus a little more padding and reinforcement as well.....

WOW John! I've never seen that case version, it's beautiful...& the body being on top is sick!!!

The bass is not too shabby too...drool A '69 with HS...again, WOW!!!

opticnerve wrote:

WOW John! I've never seen that case version, it's beautiful...& the body being on top is sick!!!

The bass is not too shabby too...drool A '69 with HS...again, WOW!!!

The case is super-cool, no doubt..!

Tony, I wish I could say the H/S is original but I'm afraid it's not....late 80's V63-style. Originally I guess it could have went either way, high-gain or shoe...hard to say 'cause it's right at the switch. Long peghead and mono-wired, too.. Even so, the sound is incredible and I'm not sure I'd want to alter it.

Oh, I thought it was one of those late hold overs. IIRC, there is one or two '69s with factory horseshoes out there.

What month is yours John?

I know of Andy's old Feb '69 that had a factory shoe. My '69 is 5-6 digits ahead of Andy's and it doesn't have the HS. IIRC, John's lefty is an April '69.

teeder wrote:I know of Andy's old Feb '69 that had a factory shoe. My '69 is 5-6 digits ahead of Andy's and it doesn't have the HS. IIRC, John's lefty is an April '69.

Facinating. Thanks Kev!

opticnerve wrote:Oh, I thought it was one of those late hold overs. IIRC, there is one or two '69s with factory horseshoes out there.

What month is yours John?

It is an 'ID' bass (April, 1969.) There are no extra holes under the surrounds or pickguard to indicate different installs of stuff, but the V63 surround fits perfectly....the V63 surrounds have screw holes that are placed slightly wider on the pickguard side of the surround, like a mid 60's surround....so it makes me think there is a good possibility that a horseshoe p/up may have been the bass originally......but, as they say, your mileage may vary....

EDIT: OR, there is a distinct posibility that the original surround was installed backwards at the factory... Andy's Feb. 1969 bass (with a horseshoe) had a surround which was installed in a opposite fashion than normal. My bass is looking these day as though it had a reverse-mounted surround. It did happen for sure, but not too often it would seem.

Very interesting John!

I'm sure the existing HS sounds great, but IMO, that baby deserves a magnitzed HS.

opticnerve wrote:Very interesting John!

I'm sure the existing HS sounds great, but IMO, that baby deserves a magnitzed HS.

I'm all for hunting an orignial shoe for the bass, or a Lollar if anyone has one hanging around (friends, buddies and pals...)

leftybass wrote:

opticnerve wrote:Very interesting John!

I'm sure the existing HS sounds great, but IMO, that baby deserves a magnitzed HS.

I'm all for hunting an orignial shoe for the bass, or a Lollar if anyone has one hanging around (friends, buddies and pals...)

Tony, yes, my Dec '68 has the same case, with that extra inch at the top, so the bass moves around in it...Not form fitting!


I also subscribe to the surrounds being fitted backwards. As JS mentions, the '69 I had, showed no other screw holes and was fitted in reverse. Must have had a rookie in there at that time!

wints wrote:

Never get tired of seeing that '68. What a great bass.

leftybass wrote:

wints wrote:

Never get tired of seeing that '68. What a great bass.

That sucker is pretty!