Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I am going to go look at a 1973 4001. The owner states that the truss rods have been straightened and the ends rethreaded. I asked if the fretboard ever seperated, he says no. States all original except pickguard. Is there anything I should be looking for with this bass?

Are you sure it is a '73? 1" spacing and a hi-gain neck pickup. Or, are those replacements along with the non original black pickguard?

Do the truss rods still work like they should ?

what's the cut off date for 1/2 to 1" pickup spacing? He said it's a 1974, but serial # puts it 03/1973. Is the rout spacing 1/2 or 1" also to the fretboard, so when I look under the pickguard I'll have a better idea? What kind of pots are stock for that era so I can date them?

Truss rods (for old-style Rick basses) can be shortened once and still work fine. Just make sure the job was done cleanly and if it looks good to you, it's probably OK.

chrisdski wrote:what's the cut off date for 1/2 to 1" pickup spacing? He said it's a 1974, but serial # puts it 03/1973.

That is certainly not a 03/73! If it were it would have FWILs and Grover wavy tuners and other things not on that bass such as a cast tailpiece with cutout and checker binding. My guess is late '74 or perhaps a '75.

Here is a pic of my 03/73. This pic was made before I corrected the bad looking vintage knobs, wrong pickguard screws and a badly made replacement pickguard, although the shape is correct.

Chris,

Is the TRC a plexi wth a screen-print logo or a raised plastic job? I believe the latter from the picture though it's hard to tell given the resolution. If I'm right, that's a '75 at the earliest. The big drop in value is from early/mid '73 (checkerboard binding, full width inlays, toaster neck pup, gap-tooth tailpiece, wavy grovers) to late '73 (plain binding, short inlays, Hi-gain neck pup, modern zinc tailpiece, Schallers/Klusons). Early '73s have been trading $3,500+. Late '73s would be closer to $2,000. Later 4001s are in the $1500 - $2000 in excellent condition. There is a small fall away for the change in neck pup positioning, but it's only of the order of $100- $200.

Check the neck extensively for cracks, particularly around the fretboard join and neck/headstock join. Also check the truss rod pocket (under the TRC) for extra routing and bent rods - don't assume they're in great condition just because they've been repaired. An inspection underneath the pickguard may be in order to check it hasn't been routed for P-bass or J-bass pups at some time.

Do the usual stuff too - check the neck for excessive bowing and make sure the electronics work to spec. This stuff can be fixable but issues here should drive the price down.

The bass looks great (beautiful FG) - I'm hoping it has no major hidden problems and that you can use the stated issues to beat down the price!

I had a 73 MC bass that didn't have the FWMOP inlays, but had C/B and toaster.

This looks a later bass. It has Klusons, so possibly a 74. Red dots as the side markers?

wints wrote:... Red dots as the side markers?

No, Andy, these RED DOTS RIC basses had wavy Grovers, too!
This bass really looks like a late 1974 onwards: no Grovers, no CB, no FWMOP, no 1/2 " neck PU spacing...

As comparison – my June of ’74 4001 – has Skunk stripe, red dots, half in spacing neck pup, wavey Grovers and plex TRC screened on the back side. It does not have toaster or cool binding or full neck inlays…

ram wrote:As comparison – my June of ’74 4001 – has Skunk stripe, red dots, half in spacing neck pup, wavey Grovers and plex TRC screened on the back side. It does not have toaster or cool binding or full neck inlays…

My June '74 has these exact same features. Ours must be pretty close, Tom.

badeggs wrote:

ram wrote:As comparison – my June of ’74 4001 – has Skunk stripe, red dots, half in spacing neck pup, wavey Grovers and plex TRC screened on the back side. It does not have toaster or cool binding or full neck inlays…

My June '74 has these exact same features. Ours must be pretty close, Tom.

I picked her up today. Date is March 1974. Red dots, plex TRC, is stock routed for 1/2" PU (1" spacing was used when new pickguard was installed), but this one does not have the wavy Grovers. I pulled one of the Schallers/Klusons (don't know which these are) type tuners and the holes look original. i have wavey grovers on my 1982 4001, so I pulled one off and tried to line up any screw holes. Only holes there are for the Schallers/Klusons tuners, no Grover holes. All original pots (1973) and the pickups look original, but I didn't date them. The truss rod repair looked clean and done well and the neck was straight. No cracks or checking, very little dings, fretboard very smooth and not worn at all at your typical 3rd, 5th. 7th positions, frets are decent. Original case with purple interior. I was happy with the price. Guy said it used to belong to Amiee Mann but who knows. I will try to post some pictures of the bass later, especially the tuner holes and pickup cavity.

Great buy, Chris. Congrats. Does the jackplate look original to the bass? Is the serial number you had correct with what is on the plate and is it indeed 03/1973? We all want to see pics of this baby, I'm sure of that!

The serial number is NC which is March 1974. When I had talked to him originally the serial number was confused as MC, hence the initial 1973 confusion.