Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

OK, so the seller thought this was autumnglo. It looks nothing like my old '78 ATG, but I don't know what early '70s ATG looks like. I remember somebody (Wints?) posted a 1970 ATG refin 21-fretter, and if I can find that thread, maybe I can compare. Whatever it is, it's beautiful. As usual, pictures don't do it justice.

Just for fun, I took a couple pictures of it next to a 4003 AFG that I shipped out soon after to help pay for my recent acquisitions. As you can see, it makes the AFG look ugly by comparison. Kind of pink/yellow. And I thought the AFG looked cool until it went next to this bass!

Also, once again, many thanks to Greg Shadoan for facilitating this purchase. I owe him beers.

nice old FG. what strings are on the AFG?

I love the look fireglo gets after thirty years or so ...

It was Dave Pascoe who posted the gorgeous 1970 ATG 21-fretter. It does look pretty different from FG; nevermind.

phlemmy wrote:nice old FG. what strings are on the AFG?

Those are the blue version of DR coated strings. Peacocks I think they're called? Kind of a clash against the AFG finish, but that's how it came when I got it, and they sound fine. Was going to swap them out for my standard Black Beauties, but then decided to sell it instead.

Your more than Welcome Jake. It was my pleasure.
I have never been a huge FG fan, but that 73 is a stunning example. Comparing the two, it apears the 73 has just RED paint, and the newer one, has some yellow in there. Not sure, but thats what it looks like to me.
Have you noticed the body wing seperation I was talking about?
And yes Jake, you are absolutly right, the pics do not do that one justice. It has an almost 3D effect in real life. It's a nice one.

It is hard to believe a '73 could survive so well and look so good after 35 years. A most beautiful FG. I'll bet it sounds just wonderful too. Is the bridge cap (.0047uf) still in or is it bypassed?

That ain't no Autumnglo. Your seller was mistaken. I've seen it before. Some of them insist!

Probably somebody at the shop who sold it to him goofed and told him the wrong color.

Nice looking bass though.

I believe the cap is still in -- that's what it sounds like, anyway. Though there is some wear on the back, the front cleaned up beautifully. My understanding of the story behind this bass is that it was purchased, gigged heavily for a couple years (pro or semi-pro musician, it sounded like), then the owner suffered some kind of serious accident that left him unable to play. It sat under a bed until he passed away, then his wife left it there until she passed away, and it went to his sister, who doesn't play. He had a matching 480 to go with it, too.

I really am normally not that into FG, but I like how dark this one is.

Greg, I can feel the slight ridge along one body wing, and I noticed that there's a touch of fretboard separation too -- but it looks like both have been stable for a long time. The truss rods seem fine, but I'm putting TI jazz rounds on it just to be safe.

Great looking bass.

73 is a great FG year. Some year's are much better than others, and this is a classic.

I not much of a fireglo fan either but I'm satisfied with the two I have from 1973, March and July, good year for FG.