Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I purchased a 4001 a little over a year ago and I am not sure of the age. The serial # IL 3931 dates it as a 1969, but it doesn't have a toaster pickup in the neck position, and it has regular, not checkerboard binding. It is also white, and I don't believe that colour was offered then. On the truss rod cover the model # is 4001 however. It looks alot like the bass pictured below in a previous posting. Any suggestions anyone?

http://www.geocities.com/rascalbass2002/

Hi, Michael. I'm afraid I'm denied access to the above Web site, but I think I can say for sure that white was a finish available as early as the '60s. As for the neck pickup on your 1969 not being a toaster, it probably has been replaced. I can not explain the absence of a checked binding, though. Anyone?

Hi Michael, John Hall once told me in an e mail that no white finishes were made before 1969...so it,s possible yours may be original....Take off the pots and date them. There,s a thread under rickenbacker general that,s about dating pots...check it out, date those pots and report back!!

Potsy: I have edited your post to allow us to see the photos to which you refer. I hope this is OK. The Fonz.

Thanks for editing my post Fonz, I am not the most computer literate person.

Potsy

Potsy: I have had a brief moment to look at the photos which to me suggests (by the serial H0 8276 rather than IL 3931) August 1987. The color and features are also consistent with this period. I'll let others give it a thorough looking over, but at this point I am comfortable that it is an 1980s instrument. This would solve the "White Mystery" as well as this colour was certainly available in the 1980s. That it is a 4001 is also unlikely at this point and a 4003 is a better bet. Anyone?

My guess would be that the serial # is a "one" L (1L)..instead of an IL...that would make sense as far as the white finish, sharksteeth inlays, no horseshoe or toaster, no checkerboard, black plastic and hardware ect. That would make it 1988/Dec....although I thought that the letter(or from 87 on the number) came first. It's hard to tell from the jackplate photo.

David: 1L would not be a code used by RIC. I agree it is a poor photo as far as determining the serial number. I am with you though, it is a 1980s instrument with the usual hardware.

Peter..Yea, I saw your post as soon as I posted... Michale's posting of an IL 3931 ser# makes it somewhat confusing, nowhere near the H0 8276 number in the pic...and my eyes aren't as good as they used to be. My 4003S8 J0 ser# had me baffeled for a while when I first got it until I realised that the O letter was really a zero. Cheers, David

Thanks for the input everyone. When I purchased the bass I assumed it was a late or mid 70's 4001 model just from the looks. I can't explain the serial number, I am sure that the 2 letters stamped on the plate are "I & L". The person I purchased it from claimed that it belonged to his father, who purchased it in 1979 from a female bass player in a C&W band. In any event it plays great, so whatever year it is I am happy.