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TRC differences
Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2006 3:58 pm
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...

Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2006 4:43 pm
by jps
Correct! The normal one is molded plastic, while the vintage one is back painted plexi.
Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2006 5:46 pm
by rkbsound
They both look normal to me.
Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2006 6:06 pm
by grinch
Maybe I should've said "standard".
Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2006 7:17 pm
by jingle_jangle
Each reflects the characteristics of the manufacturing process required to produce it.
Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2006 8:30 pm
by chefothefuture
Interestingly-
The TRCs on my 64 and 65 basses had slightly
rounded tips.
Posted: Thu Feb 16, 2006 5:53 am
by leftybass
...and you won't find 'made in USA' on them prior to 1964....
Posted: Thu Feb 16, 2006 6:28 am
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!
Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2006 12:04 pm
by beatcomber
From '68 or so the flat-top TRCs had the "Made in the USA" parallel with the nut.
Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2006 1:35 pm
by loverickbass
I would love to have a raised logo TRC but in the shape of the vintage plate. Best of both worlds.
Cole
Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2006 4:23 pm
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.

Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2006 4:31 pm
by string_along
Nice comparison shot, Grinch!
Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2006 5:06 pm
by jps
The TRC with the model name looks like a molded one. Here is my plexi TRC from my '73 4001:
Note also that the MADE IN U.S.A. and MODEL 4001 are in the reverse position as that on the 481 TRC.
Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2006 5:15 pm
by wayang
A little hard to see, but the model number's there (twice):

Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2006 8:58 pm
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....!