Cavity writing

[jamo]

I have a 4001 '74. In the cavity under the pickguard I found some writing. I was wondering if anybody could tell me what this means.
It seems some has written

"4001-B" and then in smaller letters what seems to be "PK2".
Under this it looks like "ROOBER" or maybe "RUDBER" or"RODBER". Then there is written some scriblings like a signature.

You can see that it has been written before painting as you can see the impression that it has been taped over while painting.

Is this usual in rick basses?

Jarl

[beatlefreak]

Welcome to the forum. If you do a search of forum archives, you'll see that this subject has come up several times over the years. The writing in the cavities is usual for Ricks, not just basses. They're basically (bassically?) just internal (cavity) notes as too who worked on what at the factory - puns intended. Very little sense has been made of these scribblings for the end user.

[jamo]

The "4001-B", would that stand for B-series?

[antipodean]

The "4001-B", would that stand for B-series?

Nope, from memory it has something to do with identifying/tracking the body during the build process - I have a "4001-S" which is NOT a 4001S! The B series was released well after '74, as well.

[beatlefreak]

Since your bass is from 1974, that would be impossible, as the B series came out in the early eighties - 1982, I believe.

[jamo]

Thanks guys

[johnallg]

My '75 4001 was signed by the famous Rosa. Sure would like to meet her someday - she signed a lot of basses in her day.

My 4003S has a felt-marker S in the tailpiece rout. And it is an S!

Welcome to the asylum, Jarl!