Not Autumnglo, not '74,not a good neck joint...

bob_atherton · Post by **bob_atherton** » Tue Oct 17, 2006 10:36 pm

http://cgi.ebay.com/Rickenbacker-4001-Bass-Guitar-1974-Autumnglo_W0QQitemZ270041804518QQihZ017QQcategoryZ4713QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item270041804518

dale_fortune · Post by **dale_fortune** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 4:52 am

In 1974 we did quite a few like this that were called Autumglo. Looks to be famed a little from the years. Back of body/neck join. This is not a serious problem, looks very fixable, only surface seperation/finish crack. Sometimes whoever was glueing the body wings to the neck stock didn't apply enough glue at the end of the wing/neck and it got a dry glue spot in that area causing this to happen. This might scare alot of buyers off, so you may be able to get a great bargain on the 74 4001 in original condition.

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 5:07 am

My 5 string project had a broken lamination just like that. It was separated on both sides and it creaked and rattled quite a bit. I had never heard one make noise before. The neck slab actually deflected about that point and caused the action to go way high. It is good and tight now though. I reglued the wings making sure to get enough glue right at the ends.

bob_atherton · Post by **bob_atherton** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 8:11 am

That interesting stuff Dale, thanks. This bass is not 1/2 inch spacing and has the later non plexi TRC, can it still be a '74?

ilan · Post by **ilan** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 9:13 am

If I'm not mistaken, 74's had neck pickup routes that could accept either 1/2" or 1" spacing. A new pickguard is all that's needed to change the spacing. The seller says in the description, "Since I got it, I replaced the damaged pickguard that didn't fit very well with a Pickguardian pickguard made according to the old 4001 specs", so maybe Tony made him a 1" pickguard. But the original TRC had to be plexi, and the one on the bass is raised letter.

rickenbrother · Post by **rickenbrother** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 10:56 am

The neck pickup route in my '75 can accept 1/2" or 1" spacing. It also has a plexi TRC.

green_us90 · Post by **green_us90** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 11:02 am

"The neck pickup route in my '75 can accept 1/2" or 1" spacing. It also has a plexi TRC."

same with my '75

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 11:12 am

Yes, '75 is the correct year for that style neck pickup route.

henry5 · Post by **henry5** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 11:27 am

Dale/Ted, how difficult is it to repair a bass where the wings have begun to separate slightly at the neck joint? Is it possible to do it without taking the wings off and refinishing? I was offered a 69 a while back which had that problem, and it's one of the things that put me off, as I didn't want to have to refinish it (although with Dale and Paul around maybe that shouldn't have been an issue). I'm sure it's no longer available BTW...

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 11:34 am

Yes, it can be done without taking the wings off. You have to thin the glue down and force it into the separation and then clamp. I took mine apart only because of the severity of the separation. I wanted to make sure I had a good clean surface to glue up.

henry5 · Post by **henry5** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 11:38 am

Thanks Ted. Maybe I shouldn't have passed on it after all.....notch up another opportunity missed!

gothbin · Post by **gothbin** » Sat Oct 28, 2006 10:47 am

what is a TRC from plexi? I don't understand it....

dale_fortune · Post by **dale_fortune** » Sat Oct 28, 2006 11:19 am

Truss Rod Cover that is made from .125 thick clear plexiglass, then the Rickenbacker logo is put on the back with white or gold lacquer sprayed over it.

alanz · Post by **alanz** » Sat Oct 28, 2006 3:46 pm

Oops, wrong thread.

green_us90 · Post by **green_us90** » Sat Oct 28, 2006 6:41 pm

Or black laquer, like my '75:

http://fenderforum.com/userphotos/index.html?recid=31307