Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

What years did Rickenbacker use model numbers on their guitar and bass truss rod covers?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0988926354

This one has "Model 4001" on it. The seller says it came from 1979.

It varies. That looks like a '79 TRC to me and the seller probably knows the year based on the instrument he parted it out from. Nobody fakes moulded TRC's either if you're attempting to ask if it's genuine in a roundabout way.

I recall doing brief research with regard to this question at some point. My memory tells me that the model numbers on the TRC began in the early 1970s perhaps 1971 and lasted until 1984 or so. I would be guessing that the discontinuation of this might have occurred with the arrival of John Hall on the scene. I know he will set me straight should I be in honest error.

I do remember having the impression that both basses and guitars had this labeling but that it was somewhat inconsistent and not on all models for each year in question.

This is an excellent question and it would be nice to hear from the Factory. Surely the practice would be a tough act to keep up with for each instrument manufactured.

I've seen them as early as 1968 on Plexi TRC, I think that's the first year they appeared.

Grey wrote:Nobody fakes moulded TRC's either if you're attempting to ask if it's genuine in a roundabout way.

Not true, unfortunately.

I also have no recollection as to when we stopped doing model numbers on the plate but it was well before I took over. It was simply a matter of the fact that we had too many model numbers and options to reasonably cope with so many different plates. Many models actually never had a plate with the corresponding model number- that was something reserved for volume production, like 4001's.

A quick peek in the register shows that these TRCs were affixed to 4003s as late as 1983.

johnhall wrote:

Grey wrote:Nobody fakes moulded TRC's either if you're attempting to ask if it's genuine in a roundabout way.

Not true, unfortunately.

Guess I should have said i've never seen one.

collin wrote:I've seen them as early as 1968 on Plexi TRC, I think that's the first year they appeared.

I've seen them used as early as 1967, also on a plexi TRC.

sloop_john_b wrote:A quick peek in the register shows that these TRCs were affixed to 4003s as late as 1983.

My June '84 4003 has one:

johnhall wrote:

Grey wrote:... Many models actually never had a plate with the corresponding model number ...

My 1975 4001S came with a Model 4000 TRC:

Thanks Gary - I wonder what models they *didn't* make them for?

Well here's my 1979 360-12, and there's no model designation on the TRC:



However, here is someone else's 1979 360-12, and they have it:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=406424&start=0

Look at that '79 raised TRC above. It's cut to shape post mold. My '77 looked the same. Not sure when they stopped cutting them, but I prefer the cut look - sharper looking.