TRC differences

Vintage, Modern, V & C Series, Signature & Special Editions

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grinch
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TRC differences

Post by grinch »

Just let me get this straight. In the pic below, the normal TRC is the top one, the vintage is bottom. The normal one has a rounded tips, the vintage has pointed tips. The normal has made in USA parallel to the nut, the vintage has it parallel to the RIC logo. The normal one has a raised logo, the vintage is a flat logo. Is this info all correct? I'm just making sure...

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jps
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Post by jps »

Correct! The normal one is molded plastic, while the vintage one is back painted plexi.
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rkbsound
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Post by rkbsound »

They both look normal to me.
grinch
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Post by grinch »

Maybe I should've said "standard".
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jingle_jangle
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Post by jingle_jangle »

Each reflects the characteristics of the manufacturing process required to produce it.
“I say in speeches that a plausible mission of artists is to make people appreciate being alive at least a little bit. I am then asked if I know of any artists who pulled that off. I reply, 'The Beatles did.”
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chefothefuture
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Post by chefothefuture »

Interestingly-
The TRCs on my 64 and 65 basses had slightly
rounded tips.
'68 4001MG, '70 4001 21Fret, '71 4001S MG, '71 4001FG, '72 4001AZ, '73 4001FG, '73 4001resto, '59 365FG, '96 381/12v69FG, '71 4001 21Fret FG
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leftybass
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Post by leftybass »

...and you won't find 'made in USA' on them prior to 1964....
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twangs
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Post by twangs »

I'm a big fan of those vintage TRC - Always thought the raised lettered ones looked cheesy...

You know the old joke - How do you make a musician complain?
Hire him!
beatcomber
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Post by beatcomber »

From '68 or so the flat-top TRCs had the "Made in the USA" parallel with the nut.
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loverickbass
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Post by loverickbass »

I would love to have a raised logo TRC but in the shape of the vintage plate. Best of both worlds.

Cole
grinch
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Post by grinch »

Okay, I made a little image to organize them a bit.

First generation: Back painted plexi, no "Made In USA".
Second generation: Back painted plexi, "Made In USA parallel to logo.
Third generation: Back painted plexi, "Made In USA" parallel to nut.
Fourth generation: Molded plastic w/raised logo and curved edges, "Made In USA" parallel to nut.

Now, was there another variation? I noticed some models from the 70s and 80s had to model number written directly on the TRC, below the "Made In USA". See the example from a 481 below.

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string_along
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Post by string_along »

Nice comparison shot, Grinch!
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jps
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Post by jps »

The TRC with the model name looks like a molded one. Here is my plexi TRC from my '73 4001:

Image

Note also that the MADE IN U.S.A. and MODEL 4001 are in the reverse position as that on the 481 TRC.
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wayang
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Post by wayang »

A little hard to see, but the model number's there (twice):
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kog
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Post by kog »

Sometimes on these forums I am just amazed at how we OBSESS on these sorts of things.

Now having made that bold statement, let's get back to it....!
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