Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Here's a brief magazine feature from Guitar and Bass Magazine, September 2005. Is this the one with the best features, or is it the "V68"?

I like the pickguard that goes all the way to the surround, so '68 for me.

Hey Mark thanks for the post mate.That scanners working well.

Thanks, Mark! Good read. Nice photo of a nice example.

Transitional headstock, flat Grovers...Pure cool! I also prefer the look of the '68 (sans horseshoe), but this '71 ain't too shabby!

I believe that now is the chance to get out the pics of your '68s

The V68 would also have a horseshoe instead in the bridge position. HOPEFULLY.

atomic_punk wrote:The V68 would also have a horseshoe instead in the bridge position. HOPEFULLY.

Mine would! '68 was the transition year from horseshoes to higains.

Great post, Mark!

There is another option for what might be considered "the ONE"...a '72 4001 would have these features plus the stripe through the middle, at least designed to improve neck stability...YMMV on that, of course. as well as appearance being subjective - as is the tonal difference...


Does the black part of the checker binding look small to you guys? Smaller than what I've seen, but it may be an illusion.

I, too, like the larger PG cover and the earlier horseshoe shaped surround.

Not that I'm sayin' I'd pass a '71 for $300 in a yard sale...

Thanks for sharing this Mark!

I'm with the bigger 'guard brigade, but that is one fabulous bass - the wings on the headstock are the icing on the cake.... sigh...

Nobody?
Must be my imagination or aging eyesight, then.

I'm sure Dale told me that new checker binding is different size than the original stuff.
The binding on that bass looks pretty fresh...just a curiosity is all.

The 68 is better....especially in FG.















Hah, thought there was a pic coming didn't ya...

Kluson tuners also give a bass a proper 60's feel, not those exploding Grovers, and, remember, that 70's stuff is mass produced in comparison!

wints wrote:The 68 is better....especially in FG.

Hah, thought there was a pic coming didn't ya...

Kluson tuners also give a bass a proper 60's feel, not those exploding Grovers, and, remember, that 70's stuff is mass produced in comparison!

+100. No doubt in my mind...

thb_bassman wrote:Nobody?
Must be my imagination or aging eyesight, then.

I'm sure Dale told me that new checker binding is different size than the original stuff.
The binding on that bass looks pretty fresh...just a curiosity is all.

Different height (raw) perhaps, but not thickness--the area that's exposed.

The white portion of old CB often looks yellowed and translucent. This is slight deterioration of the celluloid over decades. New CB looks pure white/black.

wints wrote:The 68 is better....especially in FG.

Kluson tuners also give a bass a proper 60's feel, not those exploding Grovers, and, remember, that 70's stuff is mass produced in comparison!

I've heard of those exploding tuners, what a bummer.
You'd be playing along, and "POW! Right in the kisser!" and the drummer drops...
I guess I got some of the more expensive, non-exploding ones on the three basses that have them!
Perhaps the stars were aligned the days they were made?
Just lucky? hmm?