Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I know, sacrilege !!

Hmmm... Nice '64 4001. I don't know what to make of the treble pickup on it though. I guess it is either the original one or an earlier high-gain with a bar magnet underneath it for gauss.
And... is that a refinish on the back of the headstock?...

Check the other thread guys, lots of debate over there, I contended it's not the original finish, but apparently the Smith book says there were 9 MG's made in late 64, which would make this even more scarce.

the bobbin on the treble pickup looks close to the style used in '64. The surround could date to as late '67. [?]

it's a real surprise to see this bass, ...I think with a 9 day auction this bass will go for big $buck$. next...

Wow! Me want!

Caldwell, ID is right next door to me. I emailed the guy to see if I can come by and take a look. I will await his response.

Yep, she looks like a poor 64 who was a "player" by the early 70s, and had some hardware changed out in that era and at least a respray of the headstock, unless that "holey" spray job at the end of the headstock bottom could have actually come out of Electro looking like that Looks like the owner in the 70s "upgraded" the look with a late-60s to early-70s non-horseshoe bridge pickup and mismatched surround. We consider it sacrilege today, but back then it was probably a $100 used bass in a pawnshop somewhere...

I don't doubt that it will go for over $7000 easily, even in the August doldrums on eBay, if it proves legit. This is nice and very, very rare

Nice bass.

I'd be a nice "vintage" player.

There is nothing poor about this bass. It's one very original, very rare Rickenbacker instrument.

It's original in finish and hardware, (tuners/mute excepted) including the horseshoe surround and the correct 4 pole bass bobbin.

I see no overspray, simply expected wear of a 40+ year old instrument. The knobs are correct too, with plain silver tops and no lettering. They have a slash "marker" instead of a dot.

The TRC screws are the correct brass colour that sometimes housed the toaster pick up from this period. The nut looks original too.

Based on units produced, this makes 68 FG basses, and anything with a 70's jackplate look common. Value should be adjusted accordingly.

Go and find another....

I agree with Andy about this bass. The knobs are the same as the knobs on my '64 360/12, made one month later than this bass. This is the only MG '64 4001 I have ever seen. The parts needed to put the bass back right are trivial IMO, this is a rare bass. The case is non-original, but oh well... Hey, another plug for my upcoming birthday...

Andy is one of only a few in the world who know the 60’s basses well. I have been lucky to chat with him and mull over the minutiae of the 60’s vintage basses. He called this one perfect as usual. As well, the bobbin is correct to the 64 vintage which is different than later 67/68 horseshoe bobbins. The sight of those early bobbins and the raised plastic lip is the most beautiful thing in the world to me. This bass is rare though the numbers reported in the Smith book may be shy of the actual produced. An MG 64 4001 is one tough bass to find. I have looked for 33 years and only seen two and could only purchase one. I have been offered 10 RM 1999’s to put that in better perspective. The case should be silver covered. I have got the shoes, tuners, mute and case standing by. Judging from the nonchalant manner and poo-pooing Elys gave this bass I am sure he will bid aggressively along with me to win. (Just teasing Elys.) I will visit the bass in person before auction’s end and give anybody interested a full run down. I want this bass.

The seller says that I can come by and see the bass. Within reason, what would you want me to take pictures of?

Perish the thought! The use of the term "poor" is a sympathetic lament to how the past owners did not leave it stock-original for our benefit today! It is not saying that the instrument is poor in any way. Quite the opposite! It is quite rare today, but the owner back when it was pieced-up didn't know that. Of course it could be put back right, with the right parts. I know that you in particular Vince have the period parts, some off other basses

Vince, we have a custom here on the Forum that if one Member speaks up initially and expresses a very, very strong interest in going for and winning a particular Rick, the rest of us will (or SHOULD) back off and let them have unimpeded bidding to win it (unimpeded at least from other graceful and polite Members who revere the custom).

SO in the spirit of that custom, I say go for it Vince, I won't bid against you, but just promise to post LOTS of detailed pics on this Forum of it in detail (regardless of any "book" plans) like what it looks like under the pickguard, etc. That is the custom Ya gotta share the eye candy with the rest of us!!

Brian, seriously, the thing to get (if the owner will let you, and bring your own #1 Phillips screwdriver with you) is photos of what is under the TRC and under the pickguard, as well as the back of the pickguard and close-ups of the pot codes, as well as your detailed observations of whether there is damage or cracks or signs of past repairs visible to your eye close-up.