Need some expert insight on a possible Ric or Ric Faker

[aragorn35016]

An older gentlemen that Ive befriended that owns one of the local music stores I frequent pulled this old Ric out the other day. He said he got many many years ago and has no idea what to put it in his shop for. At first I thought vintage Ric, but now after looking at Im not so sure what it is. First off its in a univox case, and there is no serial# on the input jack plate which is labled Standard and Stereo sound. Its neck through, has a toaster neck pickup, has older style tuners, has the Ric truss rod cover. It has dual TR but ive never seen nuts like the one this has. the treble pickup is extremely damaged and not functional. It is neck through with the binding ending at the end of the body, as well as the MOP inlays and finished fretboard. Its got me stumped and I told the gentlemen about this place and maybe I could get some answers on what to sell it for from you guys, even if it turns out to be a faker.

Thanks

John

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[ajish4]

YEP, FAKER...WITHOUT A DOUBT.

[rickfan60]

I only looked at the first 3 pics but that was all I needed to see. I'm afraid it is as fake as they come.

[rickcrazy]

Well, John, even without looking at the above pictures I could tell right away from your description that we were dealing with a fake 4001 bass. And putting a Rick TRC on it wasn't exactly the wisest of moves... It is indeed a 4001 copy, probably of Japanese origin. A very small number of 4001 copies came with twin truss rods in Rickenbacker-fashion. I'm not sure how much that particular faker is worth though. Anyone?

[rickfan60]

The better ones seem to command $250 to $350 with a few going for more. The TRC on that one is worth at least $100 on its own. It would help the price if any of the other parts are genuine.

[cheyenne]

Its got bridge lift, it definately a Rickenbacker!

"cough", just kidding...... Its a fake for sure.

[aragorn35016]

Cool thanks guys! Figured as much, the dual TR's and the wavy tuners kind of threw me though. Great Ill tell the guy that its worth about 300ish then. He had some kid that wanted it but wanted to make sure it wasnt anything super valuable before he got rid of it.I Really appreciate the help guys!!

Thanks again!

John

[brian]

Looks remarkably like a Univox Stereo Bass

http://www.univox.org/guitars/stereo.html

[admin]

This is a great thread for showing those new to Rickenbacker instruments how to identify a fake.

It would be nice if the bass experts could list the features that say fake so that we can use this as a learning experience, including tell tale signs in the history or description of the bass.

Perhaps a short description under a few photos would also be helpful for new comers.

[johnallg]

Fake Grover Tuners - don't say Grover
Fretboard too dark, inlays not like RIC used
Truss nuts are different - allen in the end and not 1/8" type like RIC uses
Bridge pickup is totally different - RIC used high gains then which have the 4 button headed coils
Tailpiece has round holes (not oblong like RIC has) where the strings come through from the back anchor area
Also the two screws in that area to hold it to the body are just a tad too close to the string entry holes
Although the bridge pup surround holes have the correct offsets (most fakes don't - they are even), the quality of the metal is poor and combined with the more squared off corners says fake.
Poor fitting pickguard, especially around neck - wrong arrangement of the 4 controls
Browning of CV around the binding - I've never seen this on a Rick
Jackplate says Standard and Stereo, not Standard and Ric-o-Sound
This one had a more correct shedua stripe; most all fakers have a wider one.
This one also has nice maple; most all fakers have very non-descript wood with almost no grain pattern showing.

Anyone else want to jump in now?!

[jingle_jangle]

RIC uses 1/4" truss rod nuts, not 1/8"

The "Standard", etc. lettering is debossed (stamped) into the jackplate; on a real Rick this is silkscreened in black

Lack of stamped serial number on jackplate

"Prayer book" die cut MOP inlays in fretboard--should be poured, of course

Bottom plate of bridge pickup is stamped, nickel-plated mild steel; should be extruded aluminum flat bar stock (1/8" thick?)with ground, lozenge-shaped ends

[rickfan60]

The text on the jackplate is stamped in and not silkscreened like the originals. Ooops, you beat me to it Paul.

[johnallg]

RIC uses 1/4" truss rod nuts, not 1/8"

Doh! I knew that, must be my cold causing my confusion!

[Droog61]

That is a Univox Stereo Bass. I owned one back around n 1976. It was my first bass. For a cheap copy it was pretty good compared to other knock offs.

[jingle_jangle]

RIC uses 1/4" truss rod nuts, not 1/8"

Doh! I knew that, must be my cold causing my confusion!

And of course I know that you know, JA...probably should have ref'd that in my original post...too easy a misteak to meak.