Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I've been playing this 4001 bass for over 25 years (love it) and i'm still not sure, how can i tell if its a straight 4001 or a S or LH or JG. I'd also like to figure what year it is. Since i bought it used how could i go about this?
Thanks already...
Bernie

What are the numbers and letters on the jackplate? This will date it precisely. Post a few pics and we will tell you what it is...

Welcome to the forum Bernie!


OK, we love pictures, and a picture will allow people here to tell you all about your 4001. But a few things to note about the differences. First, LH means Left Handed, so if yours is not a lefty, it's not a LH. JG is a color designation, meaning JetGlo (black), others are FG (FireGlo) & MG (Mapleglo - clear coat), and there are a whole lot of others. The 'S' models don't have binding around the body and have dot position markers instead of the triangular markers.

So, hopefully that gets you started, and a few pictures will get you more info than you probably even want to know...

Welcome to the forum, Bernie! As was mentioned, pictures will let us describe your model.

Welcome Bernie!

You'll find a lot of 4001 love here!

My 2 cents....PICS PLEASE!

Skunk stripe + no binding. 4001S
Skunk stripe + binding. 4001
No skunk stripe + binding. 4003
No skunk stripe + no binding. 403S
Skunk stripe + walnut wings + check binding + ebony board = cheap counterfeit, I'll take it off your hands for $300.

All right: jack plate says QI 3769.

Pictures will take a bit longer, but from what cjj says it sounds like i have a JG...

Qi Means it was made in September 1977. I own a Jetglo 320 from the month before (August 1977).

Looking forward to some pics!

Here are some pictures of basses made the some month as yours...

http://www.rickresource.com/register/ga ... 77&month=9

It can't be a 4003 as they did not start to be made until 1980

s4001 wrote:Skunk stripe + no binding. 4001S
Skunk stripe + binding. 4001
No skunk stripe + binding. 4003
No skunk stripe + no binding. 403S
Skunk stripe + walnut wings + check binding + ebony board = cheap counterfeit, I'll take it off your hands for $300.

Ha!! Good one Scott!!

But seriously, if it matches the above criteria, I'll give the OP $400.

Sepp

There we go, got 20 shots in there:

http://s1162.photobucket.com/albums/q52 ... y%20Ricky/

Also took shots of the case, wich i wonder if its an original, i've never seen any other Ricky have this kind of case. Would like to fix it up a bit but i'm missing that latch...you guys know how to find those. Is it worth it...???

Bernie,

Nice bass with a great road worn patina! Looks all there except for the addition of the Bad *** bridge and surround. As for the case, not original. My 73, which came back to the USA from England was in a very similar case and about in the same rough condition. There was no saving it so it got tossed. If all it needs is a latch or two, those can be found.

Sepp

Thanks guys, bare with me a bit more. I'm not so familiar with some of your terminology. You mention "patina" is that the missing paint pixels with the varnish still intact from my thumb action on the upper back neck? I've found that to be so peculiar. Also the "suround" is that the missing metal plate over the lower pick-up, i've never had it. Does it modifiy the sound at all. I always thought this could be in the way of our finger action, probably why it was taken out. Should i look for one...???

My use of patina is the way the metal on the machine heads has dulled and the way the paint has reacted with gigging and time. Lie a brand new copper coin, used and circulated, it obtains a stately hue!

The surround I was referring to is the piece that surrounds the bridge. It most likely hides the fill in that the replacement bridge is sitting on. The stock Rickenbacker tailpiece and bridge assembly fits into a cut out in the body. When the stock tail piece was removed from your bass, this cut out would have had to have been filled or covered. The replacement bridge is not large enough to have covered such a big fix so an easy way to do that was to fabricate a plate to cover the hole and or filled in area and provide a place for the replacement bridge to mount to.

The treble pup cover that is missing is no big deal. IMHO it is mostly for show and just gets in the way of playing. I like to play right over the treble/bridge pup or just behind it.

Sepp

Earlier some of you mentioned skunk stripe and bindings.What are those...??? Excuse me again my main language is french....