Help Identifying Vintage of 4001 Bass

[mgillen]

Hi,
I'm new to this forum. I have had this 4001 bass for many years and I have alway been curious when it was built. Can anyone help. Is the serial number any help? I'll attach some pictures.
MIke

[rickenbrother]

Hi Mike, welcome to the forum. Post the serial number that you find on the output jack plate here and someone will help you or just type it into the serial number decoder in the service section of the RIC website and you'll get the month/year it was made. Include the two letters at the top of the plate as well as the numbers at the bottom.

[rickaddict]

I'm gonna say 1978 'till the end of the 4001. Most likely 1978-1981, but there were straggler 4001's for a few years after that.

But yes...the serial number will tell you to the month when it was made.

[rickaddict]

And welcome to the Forum, Mike!

[rickaddict]

Beautiful bass, BTW! Identical to my first. You never forget your first!

I'm gonna go out on a limb and guess it's a 1981 based on the square-ish bridge pickup surround. I had an '81 once with a similarly square-ish surround.

[kiramdear]

Yep. Serial number decoder. RIC website.

Nice mate for my 620!

[s4001]

Welcome to the forum. I'm sure it's given many years of great service.

[cjj]

And in case you don't know where to find it, the RIC serial decoder is here:
http://www.rickenbacker.com/service_serials.asp

Or if you want to "decode" it yourself:
http://www.the-music-connection.com/ricinfo.htm

Welcome to the RRF! Looks like a nice 4001!

[mgillen]

Thanks for the information. Yes, indeed it was built in July of 1981. Any suggestions on the strings?
Michael

[paul_yan]

Beautiful 4001 WHT BT, Michael! Welcome aboard!

[rickaddict]

I'm gonna go out on a limb and guess it's a 1981 based on the square-ish bridge pickup surround. I had an '81 once with a similarly square-ish surround.

Thanks for the information. Yes, indeed it was built in July of 1981. Any suggestions on the strings?
Michael

YESSSS!! (Pats self on back!)



Strings? You'll find a ton of recommendations here! Do you like flats or rounds? Is the neck on it strong, or not so strong?

[jps]

I'm gonna go out on a limb and guess it's a 1981 based on the square-ish bridge pickup surround. I had an '81 once with a similarly square-ish surround.

Thanks for the information. Yes, indeed it was built in July of 1981. Any suggestions on the strings?
Michael

YESSSS!! (Pats self on back!)

Um, you didn't mention what month.

[rickaddict]

Um, you didn't mention what month.

[rickenbrother]

Okay, get Jeffy T a cigar!

[rickaddict]

Okay, get Jeffy T a cigar!

I'd like my cigar in bubble gum please!