Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Is 2167 a genuine serial number for a 1981 4001JG?

No, it is likely missing the first two characters of the serial.

Graeme, the date code (month, year) will be at one end of the jackplate, with the remainder of the serial number at the other end of the plate. If it is a 1981, the date code will start with U and then another letter to indicate the month. These letters and numbers are stamped into the jackplate.

The date code system changed several times, and can be rather cryptic. But since the beginning of the new millennium, they make more sense: 00, 01, 02, etc., for the year, then the rest of the serial number indicates a week and then an individual number for the instrument.

If it is from 1981, then the full Serial number should be UF 2167. Which dates it to June 1981.

The part of the SN you are missing is what gives you the date... though... Different letters would be different years and months.

Thanks for the information - it all seems quite simple when you know how. I spotted this number on a bass for sale which doesn't look quite right to me. I'll give the jackplate (and the rest of the bass) some closer scrutiny next time.

bassduke49 wrote:since the beginning of the new millennium, they make more sense: 00, 01, 02, etc., for the year, then the rest of the serial number indicates a week and then an individual number for the instrument.

That started in '99.

rickenbrother wrote:That started in '99.

Uh, oh, what's Ben's grandkids going to do in 2099?

johnhall wrote:

rickenbrother wrote:That started in '99.

Uh, oh, what's Ben's grandkids going to do in 2099?

Put a Letter in front of each Serial number... A01 19324 Will be week 19 of the year 2101.. B01 19324 will be for 2201..

But none of us here will be around to see this...

johnhall wrote:

rickenbrother wrote:That started in '99.

Uh, oh, what's Ben's grandkids going to do in 2099?

Change it to 4 numbers on top?

Of course by then, they'll probably have 3D holographic printing, or use some other new magic technology that we haven't even thought of yet that'll make actual stamped serial numbers as obsolete as the sound of a 56k modem connecting...

cjj wrote:

johnhall wrote:

rickenbrother wrote:That started in '99.

Uh, oh, what's Ben's grandkids going to do in 2099?

Change it to 4 numbers on top?

Of course by then, they'll probably have 3D holographic printing, or use some other new magic technology that we haven't even thought of yet that'll make actual stamped serial numbers as obsolete as the sound of a 56k modem connecting...

CJ, aren't you working on that magic technology right now?

cjj wrote:Of course by then, they'll probably have 3D holographic printing, or use some other new magic technology that we haven't even thought of yet that'll make actual stamped serial numbers as obsolete as the sound of a 56k modem connecting...

Unfortunately I hear that many many times a day.....

Graeme, what I should have said was it is partially geniuine, but you have been fully briefed.

rickenbrother wrote:

cjj wrote:

johnhall wrote:
Uh, oh, what's Ben's grandkids going to do in 2099?

Change it to 4 numbers on top?

Of course by then, they'll probably have 3D holographic printing, or use some other new magic technology that we haven't even thought of yet that'll make actual stamped serial numbers as obsolete as the sound of a 56k modem connecting...

CJ, aren't you working on that magic technology right now?

If I told you, I'd have to kill you...

johnallg wrote:

cjj wrote:Of course by then, they'll probably have 3D holographic printing, or use some other new magic technology that we haven't even thought of yet that'll make actual stamped serial numbers as obsolete as the sound of a 56k modem connecting...

Unfortunately I hear that many many times a day.....

Some people just like to live in the past...

cjj wrote:

rickenbrother wrote: CJ, aren't you working on that magic technology right now?

If I told you, I'd have to kill you...

Eh Nunzio, you see how this guy just answered me?!