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1976 Ricky without triangle fret markers normal?

#23
a 1970s 4001s would look like this

original.jpg
 
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#24
I'm not a Ric expert, but I've had a couple copies. That looks like copy to me. The truss cover doesn't fit correctly, there is an outline around one of the tuners that shows they were replaced along with the nut. Besides the binding, you can pull the pickguard and look at the routing. A fake has been done with a router and a real rick are done with a forstner bit making a series of shallow holes.
iu
 
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#25
Ooh, yeah the binding going all the way around, behind the tailpiece is another sign it's fake. I missed that first time looking at the pics, but it sure appears to fully wrap around.

Not inconceivable that someone popped the fretboard off by mistake and replaced it, but I'm definitely leaning towards this being a faker.

Also, Dave likes to bitch and moan about Ricks a lot, but last time I was there he told me the reason he hates on them so much. Apparently, he had one die on him mid-tour back in the 80s, after having to give it a full set-up every time they got to a new city since it was going so wonky, and it pissed him off so much that he swore he'd never play one again.
 
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#26
farace said:
If you enlarge the first photo, while it’s not exactly clear, it appears that the binding goes all the way around the body below the tailpiece, which is generally a sign of a copy rather than a genuine Ric. Do you have a clearer photo of that area? How about a photo of the output jack plate?
Click to expand...


You guys could be correct, I didn't notice that first picture on top.

This is the '79 I put in above, you can see it stops about 1/4" into the tailpiece:


4001.jpg
 
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#27
prowla said:
It's neither normal nor a special (ie. an S).


Yes - my first thought was it's a faker and that's a good spot on the binding - if it goes all the way 'round behind the tailpiece, it ain't a real Ric.
There's something about the headstock too.
Does the jack plate say "Stereo-Sound"?
Is there a 2nd screw hole just below the upper strap button?


My '78 has a skunk stripe.
Tokai never made a Ric bass faker, though.


The 4001S and the 60's RM1999 were the "Special order" model and, though they did have dot markers, they had no binding (and it couldn't be invisibly retro-fitted).



Yes, that doesn't look like an original Ric fingerboard.
Click to expand...


The jacks say Ric-O-Sound
 
#31
prowla said:
It's neither normal nor a special (ie. an S).


Yes - my first thought was it's a faker and that's a good spot on the binding - if it goes all the way 'round behind the tailpiece, it ain't a real Ric.
There's something about the headstock too.
Does the jack plate say "Stereo-Sound"?
Is there a 2nd screw hole just below the upper strap button?


My '78 has a skunk stripe.
Tokai never made a Ric bass faker, though.


The 4001S and the 60's RM1999 were the "Special order" model and, though they did have dot markers, they had no binding (and it couldn't be invisibly retro-fitted).



Yes, that doesn't look like an original Ric fingerboard.
Click to expand...


Here's photo of the output jack. It says Rick-o-sound. Never seen a copy with that Rick-o-sound and a period correct serial number. Binding stops at tail plate - not continuous.


6752894551.jpg
 
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#36
Kendescending said:
I'm curious if they either broke the hairpin truss rods or if the fingerboard separated from the neck when they tried to make a neck adjustment
Click to expand...


That's easily fixed on 99% of cases, mine separated years ago due to operator error (mine) then separated again because some kids knocked it frontways off a stand, it's been fixed twice and plays great and you really have to look hard to see it.
 
#38
Rat Blitz said:
Here's photo of the output jack. It says Rick-o-sound. Never seen a copy with that Rick-o-sound and a period correct serial number. Binding stops at tail plate - not continuous.
View attachment 4702835
Click to expand...
Cheers - that's a Ric plate (not an absolute guarantee, as I have a couple in my parts box, but not an instant faker neither...).
The knobs are grub-screw ones for solid shaft pots; most fakers have push-on ones, so that's good.
The pickguard has a bevelled edge, so that's good.
I checked the RickResource Register, but it's not on there.
A look under the TRC could be a clincher (unless it's had the rods replaced along with the fretboard).
 
#40
Wow, some serious tail lift you got there, I was gonna say a faker until I saw the binding stop behind the bridge. If you cant get a hit on the serial number, it may still be one of the better Lawsuit basses, but it looks legit except for the board. Take a photo under the TRC, I dont think any of the fakers copied that double rod system.
 

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