Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Is there a way to determine how many 4005s were made each year from 1966 - 1984 and even better in a given year.

We don't have exact numbers, but there are several "runs" throughout the course of the production. There is a spike in '66, '67, '68, '74, and '79. A few stragglers in the early 80's. There are several years where none were apparently made.

Check the register here - that will give you some idea.

According to the register there are only 84 4005s listed. I wonder what percentage of the total this represents. Does Rickenbacker offer anything like this?

We do not a sufficient sample size at this point to answer the question of how many 4005s were made. I would love to spend time in those filing cabinets at the Factory. We have a reasonable idea with respect to the period over which these instruments were made but certainly as to how many we do not know.

From the Register 4005s

moultrup wrote:Does Rickenbacker offer anything like this?

They do not release production numbers, except for that one time that guy on eBay was saying that only a certain number of 1996 reissues were made and John Hall decided to set the record straight for whatever reason: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=386230&hilit=1996

My advice to you would be to set up a mock eBay auction stating that less than 100 4005's were ever made; perhaps he will come onto the forum to set the record straight on that.

(tongue planted in cheek)

sloop_john_b wrote:We don't have exact numbers, but there are several "runs" throughout the course of the production. There is a spike in '66, '67, '68, '74, and '79. A few stragglers in the early 80's. There are several years where none were apparently made.

Check the register here - that will give you some idea.

I bought one of the last out of the factory in 1985. It had a '79 serial #.
At that time, they said they had 4 BG's available and 4 Walnut(s).

chefothefuture wrote:

sloop_john_b wrote:We don't have exact numbers, but there are several "runs" throughout the course of the production. There is a spike in '66, '67, '68, '74, and '79. A few stragglers in the early 80's. There are several years where none were apparently made.

Check the register here - that will give you some idea.

I bought one of the last out of the factory in 1985. It had a '79 serial #.
At that time, they said they had 4 BG's available and 4 Walnut(s).

Very cool John! What finish was yours? Round-top model right?

sloop_john_b wrote:

chefothefuture wrote:

sloop_john_b wrote:We don't have exact numbers, but there are several "runs" throughout the course of the production. There is a spike in '66, '67, '68, '74, and '79. A few stragglers in the early 80's. There are several years where none were apparently made.

Check the register here - that will give you some idea.

I bought one of the last out of the factory in 1985. It had a '79 serial #.
At that time, they said they had 4 BG's available and 4 Walnut(s).

Very cool John! What finish was yours? Round-top model right?

It was Burgandyglo, round top. I almost chose Walnut, but I was not into the satin finish....
Funny thing, when Jimmy D (at Sam Ash) was on the phone ordering it, I saw him frown and then say- "What'd the h*** I know why he wants a hollow bass?!?!?"

$450 bucks with case... Those were the days!
I still chuckle when I remember that.

Wish I still had the bass. There's a picture floating around of a band opticnerve and I were in where the bass player borrowed it from me....