Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Here is a picture of what appears to be 2 cracks along the wood grain on my 1972 4001 I've pulled the tension off the strings, and would like to know what those in the know think I should do. It can be felt when you run across it. Thanks! Robin

Ha! That's nothing... at least from what I can tell. My 4001FL looks worse in a couple of the traditional spots but it was glued by a luthier and is rock solid. I would talk to a luthier about stabilizing this crack, also probably with glue. Also: dry weather can cause cracking in some cases. You may need to humidify your house. Of course this really is more of an issue with acoustics, and I see you're in Washington which I thought was supposed to be fairly humid.

I've seen a 4001 made new that had literally been run over by a truck and busted into multiple pieces. Your bass is light years from being done. A couple of the forum luthiers or bass gurus will pipe in shortly with some sage advice.

My '76 4001 is FAR from done. In fact, it's actually my favorite, even though it suffered some serious "crackage" long before I owned it... You'd be amazed what can be fixed by a competent luthier...

By the way, I use Rotosounds on it...

Thanks for the feedback, I was freaking out because I love my Ricky, and it's been my main Bass since I got it last year. I do know a very competent Luthier, he's slow, and expensive, but good. Thanks for the pic of your 4001 CJ, it gave me hope, and yes, I have Roto's on mine as well Robin