Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Are there any differences between the 78 and 79 4001?

I've searched, and I read on Ric's forum that in 79 the headstock logo became raised letters instead of the plexi covered logo like it is on my 78.

I think the original pickups were defective. The bridge pickup had no body, and it was incredibly weak. I put in the toaster and horse shoes, and it came to life. I find them a lot more powerful than the original pups, even the neck pickup.

I ordered a '79 4001 MG new from the House of Guitars (on layaway) and it indeed had raised letters on the TR cover.
Other than that I don't know of any other differences.

That would be a cool factoid to know.

I eventually sold it to my room mate which funded my '69, so basically an even trade! Really wish I still had both.

Speaking of pickups, had an old Hi-A (pre-bartolini) in the neck on the '69, and a pair of Bartolinis in my '81 4003.
No shaming of other pickups from me.

Dirk

I had a February 1978 4001 (until it was stolen in ’89), and it had raised letters on the TRC. I’m pretty sure my buddy’s ’76 also had a raised logo. I would think that a previous owner may have swapped covers on yours.

farace wrote:I had a February 1978 4001 (until it was stolen in ’89), and it had raised letters on the TRC. I’m pretty sure my buddy’s ’76 also had a raised logo. I would think that a previous owner may have swapped covers on yours.

No, I bought mine brand new on Christmas Eve in 1978. But you know how guitar factories are--leftover necks from a previous year on current year bodies.

But, what I read said it only changed in 79. This was discussed by people who own them. I don't know the exact link, but I did a search on Talkbass for 78 79 4001.

I am such a newbie to the history of the instrument that I wouldn't stake my big toe on that info.

ch willie wrote:Are there any differences between the 78 and 79 4001?

I've searched, and I read on Ric's forum that in 79 the headstock logo became raised letters instead of the plexi covered logo like it is on my 78.

I think the original pickups were defective. The bridge pickup had no body, and it was incredibly weak. I put in the toaster and horse shoes, and it came to life. I find them a lot more powerful than the original pups, even the neck pickup.

A plexi TRC is NOT stock on a 1978 4001. These were phased out in 1975.

Edit: Just saw that you're a lefty! In that case, plexi it is, was, and always will be.

ch willie wrote:

farace wrote:I had a February 1978 4001 (until it was stolen in ’89), and it had raised letters on the TRC. I’m pretty sure my buddy’s ’76 also had a raised logo. I would think that a previous owner may have swapped covers on yours.

No, I bought mine brand new on Christmas Eve in 1978. But you know how guitar factories are--leftover necks from a previous year on current year bodies.

But, what I read said it only changed in 79. This was discussed by people who own them. I don't know the exact link, but I did a search on Talkbass for 78 79 4001.

I am such a newbie to the history of the instrument that I wouldn't stake my big toe on that info.

I just noticed the lefty in your avatar. Perhaps they hadn’t gotten around to making lefty raised-letter TRCs yet?

They never got around to making a lefty raised letter TRC - ever. There are no lefty raised-letter TRCs. The mold made for the raised-letter TRC is for right-handed instruments, and if I am not mistaken, is a universal item that fits most right-handed basses and guitars. Some trimming may be needed. The mold MAY be several "up" - that is the mold may be capable of having more than one TRC cast on the same shot. The mold also allows for castings in different color plastic, such as the black ones applied to 4004 and some other models.

All the lefty TRCs have been back-painted clear acrylic, either the original lefty "smiley" or the current "frowny."

ch willie wrote: I think the original pickups were defective. The bridge pickup had no body, and it was incredibly weak. I put in the toaster and horse shoes, and it came to life. I find them a lot more powerful than the original pups, even the neck pickup.

That would have been the cap. Your bass had a stock .0047μF bass-cut capacitor on the bridge pickup. Just shunt it - it's the smallest of the 3 caps, no need to even remove from the harness - and you will not believe the difference.

The February 78 4001 I used to own, had a raised letters TRC

I'm under the impression back painted plexi covers pop up randomly for at least a few years when they would run out of raised covers at the factory and had to produce more....(I've got a 1980 that has what I believe is a stock backpainted cover). I think the plexi cover remained in place for black and lefties for quite a while.