Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

has there been a new updated and corrected timeline produced ?

here's the elderly one...

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=20652&p=20652&hilit ... a6f#p20652

Yes, it looks like some updates are needed!

Interesting that the 4001FL is indicated as having been "Introduced" in 1960. Some terminology clarifcation would be helpful too. "Introduced" indicates "offered" as opposed to "produced" to me. The oldest FL in the Registry is described as a prototype and it's from '68, so that's an eight/nine-year differential.

There is an effort underway that will show a more realistic timeline as well as a family tree. Mr. Axt's list is impressive, and where he got such detailed information will likely remain a mystery. But as time has passed since his list was assembled, there are many details that have been revealed that are contrary to or supplementary to details on that list. Contact me off-Forum for more discussion.

Yes, that timeline is in need of updating. For example, the 4000FL timeline:

4000FL
...
1960 - Introduced
???? - Discontinued

IMO the features on the 4000FL were updated analogously to those on the 4001. Also, I have a 1977 4000FL, so they still could be ordered at least that late.

Also, the 4001S timeline:

4001S
...
1980 - Reintroduced as standard US model ...

I have a 1975 4001S, so apparently some were made before they became a standard model in 1980, too.

(Of course, Paul B. is well aware of these examples! )

just like the understring mute which i see an example in smith's book on pg. 203 of a '63 4001 deluxe having one but he states, '67 for the 4001s , of which i'm sure that all basses from some time in '63 onward had this newer tailpiece installed .

doctorwho wrote:Yes, that timeline is in need of updating. For example, the 4000FL timeline:

4000FL
...
1960 - Introduced
???? - Discontinued

IMO the features on the 4000FL were updated analogously to those on the 4001. Also, I have a 1977 4000FL, so they still could be ordered at least that late.

While RIC looks at the fretless bass as a separate model, I don't. It's just a 400X with a fretless fingerboard. In the RIC literature that I've been able to accumulate, there have been only two fretless "models" available for order; the 4001FL and 4003FL. Yet we have seen factory built fretless examples of 4000, 4001S, 4002, and 3001. So that's why I consider FL to be an option rather than just an off-the-shelf model. Fretless examples will be scattered through my "project" rather than given their own section. Same goes for lefties.

mr. duke.. i would like to see examples of the models you speak of either here or in the fretless forum...pretty please with sugar on top...anybody ???

BAD RONBO, KiLLeR DWaRfS wrote:mr. duke.. i would like to see examples of the models you speak of either here or in the fretless forum...pretty please with sugar on top...anybody ???

There are 2 4002 FLs in the register, one of which (serial UL4421) has images attached

BAD RONBO, KiLLeR DWaRfS wrote:mr. duke.. i would like to see examples of the models you speak of either here or in the fretless forum...pretty please with sugar on top...anybody ???

You can see my 4000 FL BG in this thread:

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=396089

I'm afraid I never documented who owned or who had photos of the 3001FL, but maybe someone here can recall?

Here is Bill Henshell's 4001SFL, a beauty:

Nice grain on that maple.