Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I always wanted a new jetglo Rickenbacker 4003, but this 4001 is for sale in Holland and i a little less expensive than the 4003. The seller says this 4001 is from '84. But http://www.rickresource.com says they stopped with the 4001 in '83! So how is this possible? I have a lot of pics. What are your thoughts on this. Are the Rics from '84 any good?


http://www.basgitaarles.nl/ric/0.jpg
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http://www.basgitaarles.nl/ric/3.jpg
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http://www.basgitaarles.nl/ric/8.jpg
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Well, Philip - welcome to the Forum, by the way - that bass looks legit - I'm not sure what to make of the treble pickup cover though, it looks like a non-original replacement - but it can not have been built in the '80s. I'd say it was made in 1974/early 1975, every appointment on it being original, that is. What is the serial number on it? The first letter in the date code should be 'N' or 'O'.

I think I can make out the code on the back of two of the potentiometers: 137 74 14, which means 14th week of 1974. I'm sure the seller meant to say 1974. My advice to you is, buy that 4001.

The pickup cover is different, shaped more like a horseshoe, with its gentle curves. Gorgeous bass.

Welcome Philip, grab that bass! Now. I believe that's the highly coveted metal cover!!!

Well, this is my 4003rd posting, time for another 4003, somebody get me a Jetglo one, please!

Hi Philip, yes, grab that bass, it looks like an absolute gem.

Oh yes, welcome...!

could that be one of the elusive and rare metal covers for the high gain pickup???

that really looks like a 70's bass to me ...

Hey Jeff Scott, here's one that might go cheap:

http://cgi.ebay.com/RICKENBACKER-4001-ELECTRIC-BASS-GUITAR-w-CASE-NO-RESERV_W0QQitemZ7350603378QQcategoryZ64400QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Its got the plexi trc,the neck pickup in the 1/2 inch spacing its a 74. Great shape,the cover is different, from my understanding there were no metal covers they were all plastic,i was also told the only metal covers out there are Japanese.

I dont know paul, its a 97 on up 4003.

The very early covers were indeed metal but sometime maybe in the early 70's they were replaced with the plastic, copper, and chrome versions we have today.

Thanks John, for uncovering that, for us.