Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I bought a Rick stereo bass for $175 about 10 yrs ago. Someone had stripped it, rattle-canned it black, and (here is the part where everyone cringes) hacked up the recess to but a Fender bass bridge in. It sounded good for a while, then the neck started pulling up. I removed the Fender bridge, milled out a slot where the bridge would go and put an oak insert in it. Presently, I purchased a Rick bridge from allparts and Im putting back into action. Here is my battery of questions:
1) It has stereo and mono outputs and has a single nut at the headstock for truss rod adjustment. What year is it?
2) What readings should I get when checking the integrity of the bass and treble pickups? If these pickups are shot what would be a good replacement?
3) Im gonna fill the old pickup holes and the hole for the electronics and line the holes with copper. What kinda gap do I need around the pickups?

Thank You,
RJ Sexton Jr.

I'd be careful, these types of relationships never work out.

Pictures are always a help when trying to ID an instrument. In general, you can use the serial number (which will be on the jack plate) to find the date of manufacture.

Now, one thing that is of concern with your description. You say there is a single truss rod adjusting nut. To my knowledge, Rick basses have always had 2 truss rods. So, it make me wonder whether you have a real Rick or one of the numerous fakes that have been made over the years. There are a number of things to looks for, but posting pictures here would help.

You can find info on identifying fakes here:

http://joeysbassnotes.com/Fakericks.htm

Spike- wrote:I'd be careful, these types of relationships never work out.

Ha! Beat me to it

Hey RJ, welcome to the forum. What do you mean by "single nut at the headstock for truss rod adjustment"? Do you have any pictures?

Based on your description of your bass only having a single truss rod.......if that is true then it is a fake.

Check this site out. It has great information for spotting Rickenbacker copies. http://www.joeysbassnotes.com/

Welcome to the forum btw.

"Trying to date my Rick"

Step 1) Approach your Rick: Say "Hi" or "Hey" and ask it a question or give it a compliment.

Step 2) Flirt a little! Relax, crack a joke, and break the "touch" barrier.

Step 3) Gauge your Rick's interest level. Take notice of it's eye contact, smiling, laughter, and enthusiasm in it's responses.

Step 4) Help it out. Offer to carry it's books, or do something nice for it. Perhaps a re-string, or a thorough polishing would be in order.

Step 5) Pop the question: "Hey, why don't you come to the movies with me this weekend?" It doesn't have to be the movies...it can just be band practice, or an informal jam session with friends.

Step 6) Keep your cool if it says no. Respond gracefully, like: "No problem! Maybe another time." and SMILE. Act as if you don't need it, because that will make it want you more.

You'll get the hang of it with a little practice. Heck, I've even got my Ricks to the point where they don't get jealous when I spend time with my other Ricks!

Sorry. I couldn't resist.

Welcome to the forum, Randy. It does sound like you have a fake. Photos would help immensely.

winston wrote:Based on your description of your bass only having a single truss rod.......if that is true then it is a fake.

Check this site out. It has great information for spotting Rickenbacker copies. http://www.joeysbassnotes.com/

Welcome to the forum btw.

WOW!!!

What other golden nuggets of information lie buried in this forum?

rickaddict wrote:"Trying to date my Rick"

Step 1) Approach your Rick: Say "Hi" or "Hey" and ask it a question or give it a compliment.

Step 2) Flirt a little! Relax, crack a joke, and break the "touch" barrier.

Step 3) Gauge your Rick's interest level. Take notice of it's eye contact, smiling, laughter, and enthusiasm in it's responses.

Step 4) Help it out. Offer to carry it's books, or do something nice for it. Perhaps a re-string, or a thorough polishing would be in order.

Step 5) Pop the question: "Hey, why don't you come to the movies with me this weekend?" It doesn't have to be the movies...it can just be band practice, or an informal jam session with friends.

Step 6) Keep your cool if it says no. Respond gracefully, like: "No problem! Maybe another time." and SMILE. Act as if you don't need it, because that will make it want you more.

You'll get the hang of it with a little practice. Heck, I've even got my Ricks to the point where they don't get jealous when I spend time with my other Ricks!

Sorry. I couldn't resist.

Welcome to the forum, Randy. It does sound like you have a fake. Photos would help immensely.

I was tempted to do something similar, but refrained because of my years of service.

Ric N. Backer wrote:

winston wrote:Based on your description of your bass only having a single truss rod.......if that is true then it is a fake.

Check this site out. It has great information for spotting Rickenbacker copies. http://www.joeysbassnotes.com/

Welcome to the forum btw.

WOW!!!

What other golden nuggets of information lie buried in this forum?

Don't worry Robert we will continue to bury all the golden nuggets where you can find 'em.

If it is a fake, then it is a great sounding one. It actually has better tone than my friends 100% real 72 4001. Thanks for the input.

Welcome to the forum, Randy. I have to agree with the others that know this is a fake.

winston wrote:

Ric N. Backer wrote:

winston wrote:Based on your description of your bass only having a single truss rod.......if that is true then it is a fake.

Check this site out. It has great information for spotting Rickenbacker copies. http://www.joeysbassnotes.com/

Welcome to the forum btw.

WOW!!!

What other golden nuggets of information lie buried in this forum?

Don't worry Robert we will continue to bury all the golden nuggets where you can find 'em.

Mighty Fine!

rickaddict wrote:"Trying to date my Rick"

Step 1) Approach your Rick: Say "Hi" or "Hey" and ask it a question or give it a compliment.

Step 2) Flirt a little! Relax, crack a joke, and break the "touch" barrier.

Step 3) Gauge your Rick's interest level. Take notice of it's eye contact, smiling, laughter, and enthusiasm in it's responses.

Step 4) Help it out. Offer to carry it's books, or do something nice for it. Perhaps a re-string, or a thorough polishing would be in order.

Step 5) Pop the question: "Hey, why don't you come to the movies with me this weekend?" It doesn't have to be the movies...it can just be band practice, or an informal jam session with friends.

Step 6) Keep your cool if it says no. Respond gracefully, like: "No problem! Maybe another time." and SMILE. Act as if you don't need it, because that will make it want you more.

You'll get the hang of it with a little practice. Heck, I've even got my Ricks to the point where they don't get jealous when I spend time with my other Ricks!

Sorry. I couldn't resist.

Welcome to the forum, Randy. It does sound like you have a fake. Photos would help immensely.

When she says no, she means yes, or my name isn't Jose Mauricio Sanchez.