Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hey all, since I never posted pics of the late '75 4001MG Joey assisted me in getting (my onsite eyes and appraiser) - I was waiting to clean it up and for parts to arrive, I finally got around to taking some today, and though most didn't turn out very well (I was rushed as I really needed to get ready for work), I want to show the before and after pics of the body. Joey took the first one, and the second is how it is now. I still need to get my parts order from RIC (WHEN will they ship or even acknowledge?!) that includes new screws for the rusty ones, a new black switch cap ('75 Ricks didn't have short white ones, right?), and vintage knobs I will probably put on.
What I found under the BadAss II and plastic - it came out easily with careful tapping on a very sharp wood chisel.

I really love playing this bass! Great tone.

johnallg wrote:I finally got around to taking some [pics] today, and though most didn't turn out very well (I was rushed as I really needed to get ready for work...

Come on, work can't be that important, can it?

Looking good John!! Glad you're loving that 4001, enjoy! Post more pictures of it when you get the chance.
You're right about the black switch cap bat. I agree that the vintage control knobs will look cool on it.

Jeff, work provides the means to Ricktify!

Thanks again, Joey. I was pretty sure Ricks always had black toggles, even though this one is yellowed just like the binding and inlays. If I could just get a digital camera to focus properly and expose correctly.... The one I had at the 75th hardly ever focuses correctly, and the new one I got either won't hold focus or is underexposed. Sigh. I suppose I could get out the manual.

What camera do you have, John?

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0508/05081902kmz6.asp is the first one.

http://www.kodak.com/eknec/PageQuerier. ... cale=en_US is the one I am using now - it was a freebie and I get better pics with it, though not a lot better.

I have a feeling the Kodak probably limits your options.

My two digital cameras are a Canon Power Shot A70 and a HP Photosmart R927. I have the photographic skills to take pictures that are equally ****** with both cameras!!

Hey, I did really good with film/35mm, but I can't get a decent pic out of these. My daughter bought a Fuji FinePix that was $120+ cheaper and gets great, in-focus pics every time.

Come to think of it, I should have had her take pics of my basses when she was here for Thanksgiving!

I love those mid 70s RICs

Beautiful job John!

Hey, my '74 came with a WHITE toggle switch too.

http://cgi.ebay.com/REAL-60s70s-Switchc ... dZViewItem

I purchased one of these and it fits perfectly.

More pictures please!

I've seen the white toggles on quite a few '72's and they were probably original.

Thanks to all for the nice comments. I will work on getting more pics. I did get these today.

Andy, I remember some talk about switch tips being white on some basses, and mine is yellowed just like the binding and CV, so I was curious what everyone thought about it being original. I also know it is on there to stay unless I damage it getting it off as I cannot budge it loose at all.

That sure is a nice looking 4001 MG. My 78 originally came with a black tipped switch. It broke and was replaced with a white one by the guy who did the repair. I kept the original part. You can tell the white one he put on is not original by the fact that it is a little bit shorter in length. I thought about getting another black one but I kinda like the looks of the white one now. Also, my 78 has silver caps on the black volume and tone controls whereas yours do not. What year did Rickenbacker make the change on the knobs?

Hey Mike...welcome to the forum. As you can see in the first pics John posted at the begining of this thread, his '75 came with the silver capped knobs as your bass did. He just added some vintage replacement knobs available at the RIC Boutique for $20. Rickenbacker has been using those silver capped knobs since the mid to late 60's on their basses IIRC. The black knobs were stock on the earlier guitars and basses and also came on some reissue instruments such as the C64 and the V63 4001 basses and others. Adding those vintage knobs is a neat way of dressing up the 'ol gal. I have a few basses myself with them infact. It looks cool in my opinion.