Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Recently have noticed on the TRC of older models the markings, "made in usa, model 4001". My '97 4003 only has the marking, "made in usa". When did RIC change this, or do I have an aftermarket TRC?

possibly to streamline trc production, the model designations were dropped ???

bassman7365 wrote:Recently have noticed on the TRC of older models the markings, "made in usa, model 4001". My '97 4003 only has the marking, "made in usa". When did RIC change this, or do I have an aftermarket TRC?

There were several iterations of the Rick TRC on basses. My '72 is a small back-painted acrylic one that has the "Made in USA Model 4001" also back-painted next to the nut. Around 1975, RIC came up with the molded, raised-letter TRC that was common to most guitar and bass models (right-handed only). The Model number when applied appeared to be done post-molding and executed with an engraving machine. I've seen them with 4001, 4002, 3000, and 3001 notations. I don't recall seeing any with the "Model 4003" or 4000, or 4004, or 4005, or any of the 2000 series. The Vintage series basses have larger back-painted acrylic TRC's with no model numbers on them.

bassduke49 wrote:

bassman7365 wrote:Recently have noticed on the TRC of older models the markings, "made in usa, model 4001". My '97 4003 only has the marking, "made in usa". When did RIC change this, or do I have an aftermarket TRC?

There were several iterations of the Rick TRC on basses. My '72 is a small back-painted acrylic one that has the "Made in USA Model 4001" also back-painted next to the nut. Around 1975, RIC came up with the molded, raised-letter TRC that was common to most guitar and bass models (right-handed only). The Model number when applied appeared to be done post-molding and executed with an engraving machine. I've seen them with 4001, 4002, 3000, and 3001 notations. I don't recall seeing any with the "Model 4003" or 4000, or 4004, or 4005, or any of the 2000 series. The Vintage series basses have larger back-painted acrylic TRC's with no model numbers on them.

When you say that you don't recall seeing any with the "Model 4003" designation, are you talking about the molded raised letter type?

Seems like once the production of the 4001's was over, the names of the models were no longer on the TRC's, most likely to streamline production as Ronald mentioned.
The early 4003's (with the 2 piece pickguards) did have Model 4003 on the TRC.

Ha! Learn something new every day. Don't have an early 4003 well documented yet, and none have been established in the Forest . . . yet.

Well, I'll be more than happy to help in any way I can... With your project, not with the forest...

rickenbrother wrote:Seems like once the production of the 4001's was over, the names of the models were no longer on the TRC's, most likely to streamline production as Ronald mentioned.
The early 4003's (with the 2 piece pickguards) did have Model 4003 on the TRC.

only my mommy calls me "ronald" ! i kill you...i kill you dead !

Here's a link to that 4000 FG that sold on ebay a couple yrs ago. It has 4000 on the TRC.

http://www.rickresource.com/register/ga ... =0&month=0#

BAD RONBO, KiLLeR DWaRfS wrote:

rickenbrother wrote:Seems like once the production of the 4001's was over, the names of the models were no longer on the TRC's, most likely to streamline production as Ronald mentioned.
The early 4003's (with the 2 piece pickguards) did have Model 4003 on the TRC.

only my mommy calls me "ronald" ! i kill you...i kill you dead !

Hey, your real name says, "Ronald", Ronald!

basmansam wrote:Here's a link to that 4000 FG that sold on ebay a couple yrs ago. It has 4000 on the TRC.

http://www.rickresource.com/register/ga ... =0&month=0#

Duly noted!

basmansam wrote:Here's a link to that 4000 FG that sold on ebay a couple yrs ago. It has 4000 on the TRC.

http://www.rickresource.com/register/ga ... =0&month=0#

The early 80's in the link, but also note the screen print 72's have them too.

rickenbrother wrote:

BAD RONBO, KiLLeR DWaRfS wrote:

rickenbrother wrote:Seems like once the production of the 4001's was over, the names of the models were no longer on the TRC's, most likely to streamline production as Ronald mentioned.
The early 4003's (with the 2 piece pickguards) did have Model 4003 on the TRC.

only my mommy calls me "ronald" ! i kill you...i kill you dead !

Hey, your real name says, "Ronald", Ronald!

Maybe his mom set up the account???

only my mommy sets up my account !

HA!