Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

For $1300.

What do you think?







Someone on another board thought it looked fake. It looks fairly legit to me. Set neck, correct tuners and caps inside the cavity, serial number on jackplate that checks out. Should I be worried?

looks good to me

enjoy!

Looks real and real good. Nice shape for an '81. Good price too. Play it till you drop!

ROCK OUT LIKE MOTORHEAD!!!!! [nods at Jared]

The guy said the horn looked off. I contend it must be the angle.

Here's the upper horn straight-on with a higher contrast background:



Look legit?

That looks legit. And you don't see too many fake 4001s models anyway (I don't recall ever seeing one).

As far as the horn goes, Rics can vary - my '79 4001, the right body wing (with the controls) got attached about an 1/8 inch higher than usual. The bottom of the bass is sanded to blend this out, and as a result is at an angle to the bottom of the tailpiece. You can kind of see it in this terrible photo: They're hand-made, so there are variations. That's a hell of a find - enjoy it!

Charles,

That is a great bass - there are some interesting features (eg the tuner ferrules appear black) but they don't impinge upon its authenticity. The set-neck is an absolute clincher - the 4001S basses were only made this way over the early 80s as Ric ran down its stock of set-neck 4000 bodies. On top, the 1 inch neck pickup spacing is pretty much unkown in knock-off land. It may (and I stress may) have been refinished at some point.

On the variation in the horn, the lack of binding on the 4001S and 4000 result in a fundamental difference from the 4001. As has been stated, there is variance in body shape from year to year as well, so this just isn't an issue. Assuming there are no neck or truss rod issues, you've got yourself a great deal.

Thanks man. The neck is straight as an arrow and the bass plays great. And yes, it's been refinished professionally at some point (the seller informed me).

Thank you for easing my mind!

Nice ! Congratulations ! I want one so I can sell my V63.

antipodean wrote: That is a great bass - there are some interesting features (eg the tuner ferrules appear black)

Mine are black on my 4001.

nattiep wrote:

antipodean wrote: That is a great bass - there are some interesting features (eg the tuner ferrules appear black)

Mine are black on my 4001.

Hi Nate - Is the rest of your hardware black as well, or just the ferrules? The ones on Charles appear gloss black, rather than powder coated, which is kind of strange, and his remaining hardware is chrome

Two theories:

1) Hardware swap out;
2) The refin included coating the ferrules.

Either way, it's a fabulous bass.

Nice bass! Congratulations! If I ever come across one there's a pretty good change I let go of my 4001c64 JG.

Sweet!

Rick used black plastic tuner bushings for a number of years.

Yep, the real deal. I also have a 1982 Jetglo 4001S that I bought new. The tuner ferrules are black on mine too. The strap button on the horn does not look stock. Mine has ridges going all the way around, and yours looks smooth. Makes sense that it probably would have been replaced when the refin occurred. Our fretboards are almost an identical darkness and grain pattern (actually brightness).

Here is mine with one of its sisters: Also, welcome to the "S" club (almost forgot). I have 4 Ric basses, and the only "shark fin" inlay bass I have is the 4003 in the image. In addition to the 4001S, I have a 4003S (stereo!) and a 2030.

It was definitely love at first site for me. I thought that the "look" of the Jetglo 4001S was really nice, and enhanced by the light color of the fretboard and dot inlay. The shark fin inlay would cover more of that light wood.

ken_j wrote:Sweet!

Rick used black plastic tuner bushings for a number of years.

Wow - something I have never run across. Thanks for setting me straight!

antipodean wrote:

ken_j wrote:Rick used black plastic tuner bushings for a number of years.

Wow - something I have never run across. Thanks for setting me straight!

My '79 4001 JG FL has them too.