Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hello folks,
I have mentioned on this forum that I had a 1973 customized 4001 stolen. MD1088. It would be nice to get that one back... but it's not as painful anymore due to the fact that just recently I was perfomoring a Craigslist nationwide search for a 1973 4001...lo and behold...I found one. The guy says he's selling it for a friend who is the original owner bought in 1973. It's the original colour (champagne sunburst) as the MD1088 - 4001. It's also 4 times as much money than when I bought it back in 1978. I am just pleased to have found another to replace it. Of course, I will eventually get to changing over the tailpiece and tuning heads, I just hope it isn't too heavy for my worn out back. I should be receiving it later on this week or early next week. More to come.

Welcome to the forum. I'm glad you found a new '73. Sorry about your old one. We should put a GPS tracker in our guitars.

rikk wrote:Welcome to the forum. I'm glad you found a new '73. Sorry about your old one. We should put a GPS tracker in our guitars.

yeah, my dog has a locating chip in his neck. Why shouldn't my guitars too?


Glad to hear you've replaced your bass, even if your old one is "gone with the wind," as they say...

Welcome, Ric!

When you get a chance, post a few pictures of your 'new' pride and joy!

Ric!?!?

This is your forum!

I love these expectant owner threads. I'm riveted. Where's my popcorn?

I plan on posting some pics of the bass as soon as I check it out thoroughly, an appraisal and possibly some insurance. I am going to definitely register it as soon as I get it. This way it will be able to be tracked a little bit further should something happen to it. A position chip would be nice inside the cavity or the headstock. I think that might interfere with the electronics somehow. Can someone please tell me? May need to watch out for Big Brother at the same time.

Welcome to the forum, and congrats on your new acquisition. We'll be looking forward to the pics.

Ric, searching for the serial number of your old bass in the register shows that it is registered (February of this year). Did you register it? If so, you might want to add a comment that it's stolen.

Hello beatlefreak. Yes I did register the MD1088 and also on the stolen page, I posted it as such. Thank you for checking it out. I can now lay the MD1088 issue to rest - the MD1550 now fills that chasm. There are some fret noises (buzzes) that can be repaired by a simple nut change and truss rods adjustments. Eventually a Badass II will be installed. The only real cosmetic difference at this point is the Precision rear pickup with a customized pickguard application. It looks unusual, yet the quality of the tone is unlike anything I have ever heard from a 4001. It's really quite unique. The few minor dings and wear on the bottom portion of the neck (not noticeable when playing), as well as a bare spot where the input jacks are located, give this bass its character. A couple of pics are included.
Comments anyone?

you look VERY happy!! and that is one of the very nicest fireglo finishes i've seen.....great bass! personally,i think a new pickguard covering all the current pickguard area could look really cool...

Well, here is a very famous 4001 that has a P pickup in the bridge position:

Always nice to see a story with a happy ending.

I could say enjoy the new Ric, Ric, but it's obvious you are already!

well dbr...with those dimarzio p-p/u's that far back , you're cheapest way out would be to have a metal or plastic plate in the shape of an early '60's chris squire type surround made with the usual rectangle cutout for a rick p/u and use the same holes that exist now. this would camoflage the routs. or get a v63 type surround off ebay and a RIC p/u. this would be short of maple filling the holes and repaint $$$$$$$$$$. if you want to restore it , put it in a paper bag (lol) and sent it to mr. jingle and tell him BAD RONBO sent ya !

if those are dimarzios, they would have two ceramic bar magnets under the coils and you should be able to "peel the paint" (as gentle giant would say) with loads of gain . maybe you have a bad connection (cold solder joint) or even a short to ground . that would be a 4 wire system with red green white and black for phasing possibilities with a mini switch. i had those in my '76 black roger waters style p-bass. they was load and low middy with a bit o' honk. if you know a repair dude , take it to him to have the wiring checked.

there are so many ways to a mod job correctly, and it still amazes me when somebody does a job like that ! they could have emulated a '60's surround and made it look nice. you should have seen what my '64 looked like when i found it. when they did the p mod , at least they did the routs on each side of the existing rear p/u rout. i'm kicking myself for not taking pre restoration pics.

question...why the badarse bridge mod ????

Congrats on the Rick, Ric!

Those DiMarzio Model P DP122 pickups are really good ones. I put a set of them in the '76 F*nd*r Precision I once had. It's sound was very anemic before putting in the DIMarzio's, they made a big difference. Though I wouldn't install then in a Rick bass.

congrats!