Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

saw this on ebay, the finish is stunning, but something seems out of place, actually a few things...

21 frets in '71? the butt end of the neck doesn't look right, with that extra fret, no binding, no truss rod channels, etc.
the fretboard is also very dark, almost black, and the frets appear to be HUGE.
the TRC appears to be too long for the headstock as well, perhaps a replacement on the shorter early 70's headstock?
bridge pickup has seen a few different iterations.
The truss rod ends and channel at the headstock all appear to be inconsistent with most Ric basses.

I'm no expert, so I'm just wondering, has this thing seen major work, perhaps a knockoff, or a legit unique 4001?

This bass has been discussed on the marketplace but it seems more appropriate here.

Here is my take, I would not want it. I don't like the inlay material or the color of the fretboard. I don't like the truss rod cavity shape. I don't like the looks of the truss rods, the nuts or the fact there are no channels peeking out from the neck pup route. I think the gap tooth tail piece is modern type like the ones on the v63. The finish looks plated and not aluminum. I don't like the wiring either

So it's a 71 and it has no Grovers and no toaster? I do like the color but it is not a factory Rickenbacker paint job. It lacks the rear neck fade. At minimum, it's been messed with, a lot. Could it have had a new fretboard installed, new paint, new tail piece, new electronics and wiring, new type truss rods and the channels filled? OK, sure but why??

Others have said the only real RIC thing on this bass is the jack plate. I think this is more the case.

As I previously stated, if this turns out to be a legitimate Rickenbacker 4001, then I've learned absolutely nothing in my 9 months here. If I'm wrong, I'll self impose a 2 week vacation upon myself. I'm pretty confident that not going to come to that.

Sepp

yes...discussed here...

viewtopic.php?f=68&t=404784

The aluminum tailpieces are plated as are the die cast ones.
The individual string saddles of the earlier type are polished.
The later zinc (or what ever they are) ones are plain. ...
The one on this bass is likely later(C series) as can be noted by the wider bridge insert.

Check out the thread Ron linked, we tear this bass apart...just the fact that it has a stripe AND headstock wings automatically makes it suspicious at best. You can never say never but that combo's never popped up on any 4001 to date.

I still think it's either scratch-built or a heavily-modded faker.

strange

I'm not taking the bait on this one.

Way too much quirkiness.