Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I thought I read some comments about 1974 4001s being desireable. Since I can't afford a 73 with the checkerboard binding and MOP inlays, what would make a late '73 or '74 worth having?

i dunno i had a august 73 briefly last year, it was a terrible bass

I like mid 70's 4001s for their thin necks. Other than that, there is nothing special about them really IMHO. The only difference between late '73/'74 and '75 is the half inch spaced neck pickup and some subtle routing changes made to the '75 body. A '75 can accept both guard spacings where the earlier ones are only half inch. The guard changed again in '77. The 4001 over all changed little from late '73 to '81.

my 73 wouldnt intonate properly. with all the saddles moved all the way back, it was still really sharp up the neck. the 12th harmonic was about a semitone below the fretted note!

My April 73 is the finest playing, sounding 4001 that i've ever owned, and i've owned quite a few. I did own a 74 that was a close second to the 73.

Alot of the 74's have red side dot markers. Mine does. It's a near mint fireglo and is one of the best playing and sounding Ricks I've ever owned.

My August '73 4001 is a great bass and is probably one of the last 4001's with checkered binding.

I had a 74 burgundy glo for quite a awhile . Red top dots , Frets were worn down to nothing lol . Wafer thin neck though . Outstanding bass

I'll speak for my old '72 - best bass I have. Ever. Ever. Owned... *breaks... down*....*tears stream*

Mark, we told you that you'd miss it!!

lol

I had a '73 that was in need of a lot of repairs, but played ok and sounded great. The bridge pickup had died, so when I got it I had TV Jones rewind it and he did a fabulous job. The neck was pretty wide from side to side, but was thin top to bottom. It was comfy and pretty nice, but the thing needed so much work, I sold it and made myself one with a different and more comfy neck profile. I think you can't go wrong with a RIC bass from that era.

My 74 Fireglo (red side markers) is currently in the shop for it's 300,000 mile check up. I bought it when I was 16 for $200.00. It needed a lot of work & I hope to have it back either this afternoon or next week.
I'll give you an update when I get it back.

It's so cool when people own basses for so long, (presuming you match the common forum demographic being in your late-30s/40s/50s.)

My '73 sounds and plays great. It intonates well enough given the amount of fret wear.