Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Here's a 1976 3001 and it looks like Red. But it's too early for Red or Ruby. Any thoughts?

http://cgi.ebay.com/1976-Rickenbacker-model-3001-bass_W0QQitemZ270110164274QQihZ017QQcategoryZ41439QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

From this photo I think it could be a refinish. It looks like there is some color on the neck.

No Paul, I believe that this might Ruby. It looks like the silver undercoat can be seen in one of the close ups. A refinish is also possible.

Or maybe not (a refin)?

I say Refin...

Ruby was not out until 1980 and red was well after that..

I concur with you Dave, with regard to the date typically associated with the introduction of Ruby.

These dates are approximate, however, and I would not be surprised if Ruby emerged sooner. Whether that would be four years sooner, is a very good question. I confess that I have never seen a 3001 in Ruby. Also, the natural finished headstock also argues for a refinish.

At first glance, my impression was Ruby. Let the sleuthing begin!

It is a refin Pretty color, though, for a 3K1! Red automotive enamel....

I'd say refinish. Look at the orange peel....I've never seen a factory Ric look like that.

I agree that it's a refin. And it is not ruby--that looks like light gray automotive primer in the cracks in the shot above. Ruby is deeper than this, with metallic highlights.

Funny you mentioned the auto primer Paul..I know more than a few folks who've taken their guitars to auto body friends to have them refinished.

...and I've refinished quite a few Ricks that formerly had car paint jobs, too!

You can kind of spot the signs; among them thick gray primer (lacquer or enamel), bondo filling cracks (although I know of at least one well-known guitar emporium whose "restoration shop" uses bondo rather liberally~~~~), crack repair with fiberglas cloth, final coat not being rubbed out, no clearcoat.

But there are also car painters who can distinguish between a fender and a Fender (or Rickenbacker), too.

And vintage guys like us who know the difference between a Studebacker and a Rickenbacker too

I've seen that bass before...

Good one Dave.