Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hey, guys...it's been a while since I've been around but I need some assistance. You all may remember (or not) that I purchased a Ric 4000 a little over a year ago. It needed some neck work. It seems the set neck joint is loose and needs to be reset. I haven't done anything with it because I didn't have the cash to do so. Fortunately, it seems like the time has come to go ahead and get this bass looked at. I had Dale Fortune work on my 1968 4001, but I seem to have lost his contact info. Is there anyone else you guys might recommend in addition to Dale? The neck joint seems to be loose and there is play in the neck. When strung to tension, the neck is pulled forward and the strings are high over the fretboard. The wood seems to be in great shape, however and it seems like it's just the joint that needs to be reset. Of course, I'm no expert, so I may be totally wrong. I'm also considering refinishing, but I'm not sure about that. It is mapleglo, but the finish seems to be all but gone in a lot of areas and there's no gloss to the finish anymore. I was thinking of getting it refinned in a fireglo if I do get it done. I may keep it as is...not sure yet, though, One other question. The jackplate is pretty corroded. The SN was hard to read off it, but I posted pics and tried to decipher what I could. Mr. Hall graciously checked factory records and confirmed the SN and date. MY question is I know that Ric will trade out a TRC for another color if you send in your old one, but would they do that for a jackplate? I appreciate your information. I can't wait to get this bass going again! Here are a few pics of it as it is.

Hi Javier,

Nice 4000. It looks to me as though the two-piece body is coming apart around the neck joint, which will be contributing to the neck problem. As far as alternative Rickenbacker experts, Paul Wilczynski immediately springs to mind. . I don't believe RIC provides jackplates, but it doesn't hurt to ask! They pop up on ebay every now and then.

antipodean wrote:Hi Javier,

Nice 4000. It looks to me as though the two-piece body is coming apart around the neck joint, which will be contributing to the neck problem. As far as alternative Rickenbacker experts, Paul Wilczynski immediately springs to mind. . I don't believe RIC provides jackplates, but it doesn't hurt to ask! They pop up on ebay every now and then.

+1 on the Paul W. recommendation.

Also, (Brooklyn-based) Mark Walker -- who is on this forum.

And Jim Mouradian at Mouradian Guitar in Winchester MA (near Boston).

Good luck Javier.

I've had work done by and highly recommend Larry Davis.

I was told that RIC could issue an exchange jackplate (different color) when i swapped chrome and gold hardware on my 4004s,but decided to keep them charmingly offbeat( ) ....you can certainly ask them about swapping a new one for your beat-up one.

Thanks the responses. I was hoping Ric would be helpful with the jackplate. Will they re-etch a new plate with the original SN#? If any of you could, would you please pm me contact info for any of these guys so I can start getting ready to get this bass worked on? What do you all think about the original vs refin issue? I've always loved fireglo, but I can't afford a new Ric right now. I have three vintage Rics and they all happen to be mapleglo. This 4000 is the newest one of the three and has the most worn finish of the three as well. I'm just tossing the idea around and can't decide.