Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Does anyone know if Paul's Ric 4001S has side dot markers on both sides of the neck?

His bass was constructed with a right-handed neck. On a lefty instrument, this would mean the neck side dot markers would be facing downwards (as you can see in the photo) instead of the usual upwards.

However, with some vintage lefty instruments that used righty necks, an additional set of side dot markers was added on the top side of the neck, meaning both sides of the neck had markers. For example, see reissues of left-handed Gibson Les Pauls from the 1950s.

In that picture, it sure does look like markers on that side.

And, you can easily see the really wide cutaway area of the HS surround under the strings.

teeder wrote:In that picture, it sure does look like markers on that side.

What I meant was about the other (top) side that is not in the photo. So far I've not been able to find any images of this side.

Interesting thread. I wonder if any of the Flowers In The Dirt sessions photos with Elvis Costello have anything to offer?

If only Mal had turned the bass around!!

3rd and 5th fret dots are visible in this photo, so yes, both sides of his fretboard have markers.

I see them on the 7th, 9th, and 12th frets, too.

Is that binding on the heel end of the fingerboard in that photo of Mal, or just a really bright reflection off the end grain of the fingerboard?

jps wrote:I see them on the 7th, 9th, and 12th frets, too.

Is that binding on the heel end of the fingerboard in that photo of Mal, or just a really bright reflection off the end grain of the fingerboard?

Looks like binding to me. Amazing that we still learn things about this bass!

bottom4 wrote:

jps wrote:I see them on the 7th, 9th, and 12th frets, too.

Is that binding on the heel end of the fingerboard in that photo of Mal, or just a really bright reflection off the end grain of the fingerboard?

Looks like binding to me. Amazing that we still learn things about this bass!

Yeah, like how many pics are out there of Sir Paul's 4001S with the original fireglo finish and the horsey?!?!

Either way he doesn't need the side dots - Höfners don't have side dots and that's how he's used to playing.

bottom4 wrote:

jps wrote:I see them on the 7th, 9th, and 12th frets, too.

Is that binding on the heel end of the fingerboard in that photo of Mal, or just a really bright reflection off the end grain of the fingerboard?

Looks like binding to me. Amazing that we still learn things about this bass!

Hm... what makes you think binding vs a reflection? Seems weird that only the heel end would have the white binding when the sides of the neck do not.

Axelorox wrote:

bottom4 wrote:

jps wrote:I see them on the 7th, 9th, and 12th frets, too.

Is that binding on the heel end of the fingerboard in that photo of Mal, or just a really bright reflection off the end grain of the fingerboard?

Looks like binding to me. Amazing that we still learn things about this bass!

Hm... what makes you think binding vs a reflection? Seems weird that only the heel end would have the white binding when the sides of the neck do not.

We've seen lots of interesting things over the years. This is a possibility.

The detailed portrait of McCartney's bass in the book, taken probably in the '90s or early oughts (I think) shows no evidence of binding on the heel of the fingerboard. I think it's a reflection in that old shot.

bassduke49 wrote:The detailed portrait of McCartney's bass in the book, taken probably in the '90s or early oughts (I think) shows no evidence of binding on the heel of the fingerboard. I think it's a reflection in that old shot.

Me too.