Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Little query on the changes on the Truss Rod Covers on the 4001.

Got a '78 that has the 'raised' lettering on the TRC.

Just picked up a '77 that has a flat TRC, ie no raised lettering.

Was there an exact point in time when the style changed? Or did they just vary throughout the lifespan of the 4001?

My '76 has raised letter, my '74 had plexi...

Very early '76 IIRC. Check out a few examples on the Register here - you can probably pin it down quickly.

I think it was May of '75 or was that for the movement of the neck pickup?

I've looked at some on the register, and there seems to be a crossover.

Some '77's have the plexi-style, but some 76's are sporting the newer 'raised' type.

Maybe they just fitted what was to hand until supply ran out!

That generally seems to be the way things have been done over the years, thus a lot of crossovers and no definitive dates for any sort of changes...

mid '75 i'd say with some bleed over with the 1" spacing change over.

my 71 has smooth lettering

My May 1975 4001 has the smooth plexi style.

My July 75 4080 has plexi, but most unusual they're white not black.

Plexi in '77, really? That's a surprise.

could have been replaced between then and now.

Exactly! Not original being the point though.

BAD RONBO, KiLLeR DWaRfS wrote:mid '75 i'd say with some bleed over with the 1" spacing change over.

My late '75 has 1" spacing and a plexi TRC.

thing is with these basses...unless you bought it new back then, anything could have been changed out at some point, so you'll never really know if it was originally equipped with a plexi or not.