Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

There's a 4001FG on Ebay, not sure of the year. pre '70 I think, I e-mailed the owner for the letters. has thumbrest, checker, toaster, cover, wide inlays, long headstock I think (which is why I think it is pre 1970, when did the short headstocks start?), non-original keys except for maybe one Grover. looks in nice shape, price is high though, $1525.00 to start.
Instrument Exchange is at it again: 1979 4001S red(4001) starting at $1249.00! Buy it now at $1599.00, Quick snap up this deal!

It looks like a 1969 4001 ... if it was 1968 it would have the horseshoe ... I thought the grovers were a 70's thing ... 70's basses have the walnut stripe ... a 1969 should be worth more than $1500 ...

I think the question is, when did they stop the walnut wings. This one has them! For some reason the highgain looks funny to me - real sharp edges. May be the horseshoe was replaced! Split bridge, toaster, walnut wings, checkerboard binding, wide inlays, thumbrest - basically has it all. This has to be pre-70’s. I think I’m going to watch this one real close. You know how I feel about those walnut wings!

Well, the treble pickup really looks like the
over-the-strings cover is the early metal type, and the pickup bobbin looks kinda beige, this bass is probably one of the first to have the hi gain in it.

this is the reissue RIC should make - of course with a horseshoe.

I would also love to see this as a reissue. I doubt it would ever happen though it would be nice!

IMO it is a late 1970-early 1971, not long before the change to the 'skunk-stripe' neck design.

The case may be original as well, unless it actually says 'Fender' on the outside...

John, I,m with you. 1970 or early 71. My December 68 has the same treble surround, (with the original early hi-gain) and exactly the same original case/interior that came with it new, but has the old nickel klusons. I,ve yet to see a 1970 bass with the old klusons. Has anyone? That seems more than anything to distinquish between where the 60,s basses finish and the 70,s begin. Of course there are always going to be exceptions around this time period, where it seems anything close to hand could/would be used! For $1500 a good buy. I think we,ll see a few $$$ more before the end...

Yep ... it could be a 70 or early 71 ... we need to get the complete serial number from the seller ...

He hasn't returned my e-mail yet either, I am also going to ask him if it is mono or stereo.

Those other three Grover looking keys aren't original are they? They look like a set I have here with the ring around the shaft of the key. I asked about those and whether there were one or two output jacks and of course the rest of the serial number.

Rickenbacker only ever reissues the plain S models in their basses........is the is because they cant do the inlays and binding ?

Either the bass is over priced or we're all taking a back seat to see what develops.

cheers

1969 or 1971 ... it makes a big difference in value ... the guy needs to post the whole serial number

He has either been out of town or just isn't going to answer any e-mails, I just sent one last one telling him mostly collectors are going to be interested in that bass and if he wants to sell it he had better answer any questions anyone has for it, such as number of jacks and full serial number. We'll see what happens.