jackplate as indicator of authenticity

[stevehwgill]

Hello!!
After many years, I am excitedly looking at buying my first Ric bass. I'm looking at a used 4003 which is privately advertised as a 2004 and is serial number 04 23846. my worry is over authenticity, don't want to buy a fake. its serial is stamped on (punched into) the jack plate - but that's it - no Ric - o - sound and standard. having researched this - am I correct in not worrying about this - as it is normal for this 'decal' to wear off?

the binding properly stops at the neck, I can check it has double truss with hex bolt ends - anything else I can look for?

any help hugely gratefully received!!

regards
Steve.

[Kopfjaeger]

Steve,

Yes, the lettering sometimes is non existent if the instrument has seen a bit of playing or a lot of cleaning. There are other subtle traints Rickenbacker shave. If you have a few fotos, post them and we'll have a look.

Sepp

[edski]

The serial number looks legit for a 2004, but the single output sounds odd for a 4003. Even as a mod it sounds strange, as there would be two output holes for a standard/ROS output. A single jack plate would leave an ugly opening.

Maybe it's a C-64? Not sure they were made that late...but those don't have binding...so that idea sounds wrong.

Does the binding stop at the bridge assembly? Does the bridge look right? As Sepp says, pics would peg it right quick with the knowledge here.

[Ontario_RIC_fan]

Steve:

From the pics of it in the RRF register it looks legit. Also a quick search of week 23 in 2004 shows RIC was making 4003 and 4004 basses that week.

It was added as a collected item last May when it was on Ebay.

http://www.rickresource.com/register/vi ... 6order%3D5

[stevehwgill]

Wow, thanks chaps for your prompt replies on my query! - This has been of real help to me.

Sorry to have been unclear - it is a two output model - it was just the lack of the words ric-o-sound and (whatever the other word is) on the plate that I was concerned about.

The pictures you found - which appear in the link in the last post if you're curious - when it "became a collected item" are the same as I have in the current ad - although you found more of them. interestingly one of your pics of the jacks plate bearing the same serial number does show the 'decals' in the process of being worn out - so that answers that one!

yes the binding does stop at the neck pocket.

So its an 8 hour round-trip for me on Saturday and I very much look forward to owning my first Rickenbacker!

thanks again for your help - much appreciated.

Steve Gill

[ram]

Steve, good luck on your road trip. Post some shots when you get back!!

[RickyBubba]

By "collected item", it means somebody collected the photos, often from an e-bay auction.

The ROS wording is actually tampo-printed on the jack plate, not a decal. Thus the likelihood it will eventually wear away.

Indeed have a safe trip…you'll often remember "the chase" to get the bass!

[Ontario_RIC_fan]

Steve:

Safe journey on your trip!

I did a 8 hour round trip to buy my 74 JG 4000 a few years back - so I can relate.

The RRF register is a great place to research any RIC you want to purchase. Even if the precise instrument is not there you can look at others of similar vintage.

As it is a "collected item" - ie not put in by its previous owner but rather collected from online postings, such as Ebay, Gumtree, Craigslist etc, you might want to email Peter (ADMIN) and have him assign the listing to your account. Then you can edit it or add more images of your own.

Love to hear your opinion of the bass once you have had some time to play it.

[edski]

Oh, the pain will wear off. Pretty sure none of it remains on my 75 - I'm always guessing which is which.

The stamp in the serial number, so I try to remember that the normal output is the one by the numbers.

[bassduke49]

Yeah, I always remember it as the Rick-O-Sound is the closest to the strap pin.

[jps]

The ROS jack is the one farther from the strap pin.

[Kopfjaeger]

The ROS jack is the one farther from the strap pin.

+1..

Sepp

[bassduke49]

Oops, sorry, you are correct. I'm always thinking about plugging into the one closest to the pin which is the one I want. And I want the Standard. Thanks for the correction, guys~

[jps]

That's okay, I bet there are some out there with the jackplates/jacks switched around so that the ROS is closer to the strap pin.

[bassduke49]

Or with the jackplate upside down but the wiring harness right side up and they still don't know the difference!!