4001 Checkerboard bindings, skinny necks, truss rods

Paul · Post by **Paul** » Sat Jan 13, 2001 11:37 pm

Who out there knows what years checkerboard bindings were placed on 4001's?

Also, when if ever did their 4001 bass ever have no truss rods?

When were skinnier necks used?

markthemd · Post by **markthemd** » Sun Jan 14, 2001 12:14 am

1972 /1973 was the end of the original checkerboard binding .

It was reissued when the Stars /signature guitars began to appear .That date escapes me but I am sure that the Rick sales office could tell you that one .

Skinny necks ...which way ?
in depth?
in width?
The width has always been skinny .

The 360-12 is 1&5/8" across the nut but the playing area is less the .040 to ,060 for the binding on the side of the neck .

rick12dr · Post by **rick12dr** » Sun Jan 14, 2001 12:09 pm

I think he may mean the front to back thickness,
Mark.

Mike_Simpson · Post by **Mike_Simpson** » Thu Jan 18, 2001 7:22 pm

Skinny necks front to back ended around 72/73 along with the checkered binding. Checkered binding ended in 1973. However the stripped headstock style like McCartney's Rick and Chris Squires Rick ended in late 1969 to early 1970. Headstock shape changed too. I just got a 1968 4001 from Germany today. Best Rickenbacker I've ever played. Got rid of a Squire Signature for it. Well worth it. Cost $2200 just FYI for those who are looking.

squirebass · Post by **squirebass** » Thu Jan 18, 2001 10:21 pm

I saw a 1971 4001 at a guitar show back in October that had the walnut headstock style you're talking about. The bass was beat to hell but it played great. I shoulda bought it but I didn't have the cash. The serial number dated it as April 1971. Are there any more '68 Ricks over there in Germany? What kind of finish/condition is yours? $2200 sounds like a really good price considering how hard to find they are...

markthemd · Post by **markthemd** » Fri Jan 19, 2001 9:41 am

I mean the depth of the neck ..this is from the surface of the fretboard to the back of the neck .

Some standard measurements are ,at the first fret .850 and at the 12th fret .950 .These are almost universal .
The BID difference is the 'shoulder' of the curve to the back of the neck and how fast the shoulder curves away from the binding into the back of the neck.

majbak · Post by **majbak** » Sat May 19, 2001 7:17 am

Try a '64' neck, I dont know of anything so slim and playable.

Gerard_F · Post by **Gerard_F** » Sun May 20, 2001 6:01 am

The early neck makes a world of difference. It also beats any F##### like a six gun beats four aces.

majbak · Post by **majbak** » Sun May 20, 2001 6:14 am

Also my 4001cs has a nice feel,Harmonics abound ,were on my 4001 74 is by comparison dead.Having said this it did take RIC four basses and six scratchplates to get one that lets say wasnt a friday afternoon model.

Gerard_F · Post by **Gerard_F** » Sun May 20, 2001 6:41 am

Yeah! Even mine is like that. The pickguard doesn't fit! It overlaps the bridge pickup bezel
http://personal.nbnet.nb.ca/mccorp/smodels.html
Can't complain about the tone though. Nary a dead spot anywhere.

mortivan · Post by **mortivan** » Thu Jun 14, 2001 3:38 am

You can't complain about the character of the striped maple either!

-mort

andy_winter · Post by **andy_winter** » Thu Jun 14, 2001 7:33 am

question.....I have two 1964 4001s,s...DE554 and DH163... the necks are considerably different. DH163,super thin seemingly period, the one that gets the use......DE554,thicker with what i can only presume is a thumb rest at the top of the neck.....lives in the case!!!......anyone know of similiar???.thanks andy

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Thu Jun 14, 2001 7:51 am

Andy: could you post some pics of your basses showing the differences between the two? It could very well be the 'handmade factor' proving true in this case...the older the instrument is the better chance it has to be unique in its own way...

GerardF · Post by **GerardF** » Thu Jun 14, 2001 8:28 am

Mine is DK and fits your description of super thin.
Thanks Mort.