Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

When did Ric stop using them?

I think you mean the 3 screw bass tailpieces that were standard in the 60s ... my 1968 4001 had one of them and never pulled up even a fraction of a millimeter ...

by 1973 they were using the 5 screw tailpieces ... and in the 80s 7 screw tailpieces made their appearance ... currently the 4000 series comes with 5 screw tailpieces ...

I don't know what I mean! The tailpiece with the 2 added screws like this one:
http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i27/acacia70/bass/whatyear.jpg

I just bought this and the seller said it was a 2004, but it looks older to me (headstock/body).

Very pretty Sean.

Looks like just what you were looking for Sean. Nice!

You mean 7 screws, I think...
What a pretty bass!!!

there are 4 screws showing and 3 more under the bridge on that black bass ... so yes that bass actually has 7 screws holding the bridge down ...

here's one with 5 holes ...

So by your thoughts, what's the latest age you think this bass may be?

They stopped those around 1985-86 as far as I know. I liked them. The body shape on that one does look like a relatively new one though. If it's stock it can't be any newer than the 80's, some people here have added the two screws on their own though.

That bass was built between 1997 and 2002 ... look at the headstock shape and the body wing shape and the black trim ... the 2 extra screw holes were added later or it has a mid 80s black tailpiece on it ...

Many thanks.

According to the serial number, it's February 04. Odd that the 2 screws were needed on a bass that new.

the black trim tailpieces seem to be weaker than the chrome ones ... actually I am suprised that an 04 would have black body binding ... I thought they discontinued it in 02 ...

Maybe this was a "made for japan" model.