Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I have a 4001CS which i deeply love. But Im noticing something weird. Hopefully it's more common.

At the back of the body I see the lines of the neck underneath the finish.
I attached a picture to make it more clear.

Is this common or is it damaged?

That's common and normal, unless you begin to see through the finish and into the wood. You're seeing the seams between the body wings and the neck-through assembly. The different pieces of wood are glued together along those lines and there's some expansion/contraction/flexing going on naturally. The finish is flexible enough to go with it, but you may see some "shrinkage" along the seam lines. It's visible on every Rick bass I've seen (and I've seen a few ).

It's clearly damaged and if you keep it any longer it will only get worse. I will PM you with instructions on how to rid yourself of this abomination.....................

Good day Sir!!!!

My name is Mr. Wensleydale. I have traveled the world and have seen MANY Rickenbacker guitars/basses. I am somewhat an expert on ALL matters Ric.
It is a little known fact that Rickenbackers, (Especially high end, valuable models), often suffer from an affliction whose name is SO long and full of consenants I can't pronounce it. YOUR 4001CS is showing the classic signs of such an illness. In short, it really only has 6 months of playability left.
Fortunately, there's someone like ME!!!!

I am the Curator of a unique and special insitution for ailing valubles---especially YOUR bass.
If you are willing to ship it to me post haste, (You pay shipping), I can give it the care it needs.
DON'T be fooled by cheap imitators---Jeff Scott----I am reputable anfd liceeened.

Google my name if you don't believe me.

SEND IT NOW!!!!!

Mr. Wensleydale
From the Bar
Tavern On The Green
New York, New York

Hi Philip. Don't listen to those guys. Your bass is in fine condition. So send it to ME!

jps wrote:It's clearly damaged and if you keep it any longer it will only get worse. I will PM you with instructions on how to rid yourself of this abomination.....................

Beat me to it.

Lefty4003S8 wrote:DON'T be fooled by cheap imitators---Jeff Scott----

Mr. Wensleydale
From the Bar
Tavern On The Green
New York, New York

You promised not to say anything!

Hahaha!

It's getting cold in Holland so I already put it in the fireplace



Thanks sir Paul! Thats a big relief

anoukane wrote:Thats a big relief

If the relief was that big then you'd really have a problem.

How is maple as firewood? Oh yeah, watch out for the fumes from the finish on the bass.

It's not Fireglo, so you can hang on to it.

It's a fireglo now apparently.

jps wrote:How is maple as firewood? Oh yeah, watch out for the fumes from the finish on the bass.

Maple makes excellent firewood.

As said above, what you're seeing is the joins as on this naked body below.
Over time they become visible - more so with some finishes than others.
Only a problem if it looks like the joints are going, which has to be really rare.
If in doubt, send it to me.