Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

This one made me smile, 1981, 4001, short scale, 21 frets, dubious TRC, painted ears. The guy has obviously posted the wrong photograph...

http://cgi.ebay.com/81-rickenbacker-bass-with-hardshell-case_W0QQitemZ280057097669QQihZ018QQcategoryZ4713QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item280057097669

Looks good to me, except for the bridge routing. I dunno what it is, but I like the color of the bass. I don't do projects anymore, so this one goes by too.....

That's an '81 4003. And I count 20 frets!

That is an early 4003. Note the body-end adjusters and the two piece neck. It should have a split guard.

I wondered about the one piece guard as well Ted. Just noticed what looks like a filled hole at the screw point on the lower horn.

Looks real enough. A good refinish candidate as long as the neck's OK.
Maybe also put an ABM or similar type of bridge on it & convert it to a 5 string.