Fake Rick??

[Chris Ramlar]

Hi, I found a good deal in a Rick but something is bothering me, the nameplate doesn't have the "Made in USA" legend and I've read every single Rick has it what do you guys think...
Here are some pics:

thanks!

 

[basmansam]

Looks like a fake trussrod cover. There were Chinese fakers on ebay 3-4 yrs ago. I am sure there are other forumites that could tell you more.

 

[DW1969]

Ask for the # on the jack plate to date it (I'm sure that can be faked as well). Truss cover looks fake.

 

[Nino Valenti]

Ask for a pic of the truss rods. There are 2. If there is one, it's a fake.

 

[mike_v_s]

I've seen an early/mid 80's (?) rics without the "Made in the USA" on the trussrod(s) cover. In fact, it didn't have the raised lettering my 1978 did. Maybe it was a fake, too. I dunno.

Mike

 

[Buster Brown]

Yep...truss rod cover looks like it was purchased on the 'bay.....the "R" shure as heck doesn't look legit.....

 

[daveman50]

Would need to see the following:
1) Jack plate.
2) Truss rod cover off, & what's under it.
3) Pickguard off, & what's under it.

 

[Relic]

the truss rod cover is fake.
Ask for pics of the truss rods underneath (there should be two), ask for pics of the jack plate (there should be a SN# there as well as a "Rick-O-Sound" label) and ask for pics with the pickguard removed. Look at the channel in the wood for the wire from the neck pup, for many years that was done as a series of circular drill marks instead of a snooth-routed channel)
Other than that, the pickup placement looks good, the binding is right and the neck appears to be through-the-body construction. If it's not a Rick it's a darn good copy.

 

[RonChase]

If its fake can I still buy it? but with monopoly money

 

[Stinsok]

How much are they asking for it?

 

[mellowgerman]

are you able to play before you buy or is this an ordering type of thing?

 

[GerManson]

really interesing. looks like my bass.. and mine is a real one i'll post pictures later.

 

[GerManson]

Rickenbacker 1979
Serial Number: SL 5709

 

[GregShadoan]

The TRC looks fishy, but the bass itself looks real. The headstock, the way the paint is done, very ric. Also, the pickguard break, only ric breaks in that place. As above, look for 2 truss rods, Ric-O-Sound on the jackplate with a serial number that can be run through the RIC website serial number decoder, and look under the pickgaurd for hand writing.
The pickups and tailpeice look real to me as well.

 

[ProfGumby]

Rickenbacker 1979
Serial Number: SL 5709

Hmmm, your Rick does not have the Made In USA on the truss rod cover either......
Nice lookingpair of basses though! I think I played the twin to your Rick last weekend. That act and all this Rick talk did not help my GAS any.....

 

[Chris Ramlar]

How much are they asking for it?

Like 1150 USD but its in Mexico =O

are you able to play before you buy or is this an ordering type of thing?

Ahm ordering thing kind of "mexican ebay"

 

[vin*tone]

TRC is definitely wrong. rest of the bass looks legit but for that money I wouldn't risk it.

 

[wdinc01]

GerManson proves that it could just be old, assuming that his bass is real, and I'm just going to take his word for it for the sake of this post. Although honestly, I think it's real.

Anyway, like everyone has said, just ask for more pictures to prove that it's actually a Rickenbacker, and if you want, you could head over to the Rickenbacker forum and see what they think of it.

 

[Chris Ramlar]

alright I asked for the pictures what do you guys think:

 

[SpamBot]

The jack plate on my buddy's 370 says "Rick-o-sound" and I'm betting yours should too. However, I haven't had a ton of experience with Ricky basses so I can't be sure.