Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I'm hoping to get as much info as I can about this bass so I can properly register and put it on the market..

Serial # i05054
# off pots: 1377435
model 4001
refinished

What year was this bass manufactured? The serial number dates it to September, '87. The pots date it to '74 if I'm not mistaken, according to instructions I read in a post on this forum.


I am in the market to sell it in the DC/Baltimore area.

Thanks!

Well, one thing is for certain; it's not a 1987 Rick. The skunk stripe (shedua) down the middle defines it as a 4001 made from mid 1972 to the early 1980s. By 1987, Rick basses would not have the shedua strip. As it has the shorter inlays and lack of checker binding, that puts into mid 1973 or later, the high-gain bass (neck) pickup came in late 1973, the new five-screw cast zinc tailpiece came in 1974, and the pickup in the 1" from the fingerboard position came in 1975. So if your bass is otherwise original, I'd say 1975 or later with obviously a replaced jackplate.

I can see small font on the TRC right next to the Nut. This COULD say "Made in USA" but if it says "Model 4001" then I would guess it is 1978-1984, because the 4003 was introduced in 1978 and there had to be a differentiation, someone correct me if I am wrong.

Well, the 4003 was introduced in 1980, but the skunk stripe on this bass means it isn't a 4003.

If the neck is really thin, I would guess it to be a 75ish...has the nickel tuners with black ferrules also....other than what has already been mentioned, there is no real way to date it once the serial number has been changed or removed...

The serial could be poorly stamped or could have an ambiguous number or letter in it which if read wrong will give the wrong year......

eden.

jaymi wrote:If the neck is really thin, I would guess it to be a 75ish...has the nickel tuners with black ferrules also....other than what has already been mentioned, there is no real way to date it once the serial number has been changed or removed...

That would make sense if the pots are original and date it to @ '74 (pot # 1377435).

can you post a pic of the plate so we can see the stamp?

coyote wrote:I'm hoping to get as much info as I can about this bass so I can properly register and put it on the market..

Serial # i05054
# off pots: 1377435
model 4001
refinished

What year was this bass manufactured? The serial number dates it to September, '87. The pots date it to '74 if I'm not mistaken, according to instructions I read in a post on this forum.

Yes, you are right that "I0" (letter I, numeral zero) serial numbers are for September 1987. But, consider that maybe you read it wrong and the serial number is actually "OI" (letter O, letter I). This would date it to September of 1975...

Oh, and welcome to the forum!

CJ beat me to it!

I agree that Oi is the more likely SN

http://www.rickresource.com/register/in ... OI&order=5

The numbers line up too

Thanks for helping me out with that guys. Positive ID on: Oi5054, September 1975. Thanks CJJ !

I thought I'd throw it up here that it's also for sale. I have it listed on Ebay: Vintage 1975 Rickenbacker 4001 Bass Mapleglo http://bit.ly/ZoYNTC

coyote wrote:I thought I'd throw it up here that it's also for sale. I have it listed on Ebay: Vintage 1975 Rickenbacker 4001 Bass Mapleglo http://bit.ly/ZoYNTC

Wow, what a surprise!