Is this Rickenbacker legit ?

[FumandoLaMotta]

Good day everyone and happy Sunday !

I have this beauty that popped next to my place and I am considering buying it if it's legit.

Anything I should be looking for to confirm its origin ?

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[blr2]

Is it the picture angle, or the E-tuner is mounted too high and a small part of the plate would be sticking out of the headstock? I doubt something like this would have left the Rickenbacker factory.

 

[blr2]

A picture of the jack plate would help too.

 

[ProbablyTooLoud]

Is it the picture angle, or the E-tuner is mounted too high and a small part of the plate would be sticking out of the headstock? I doubt something like this would have left the Rickenbacker factory.

Nah that's not unusual for tuning pegs on legit Ricks.

OP, except for that one janky looking knob, I think the one you're looking at is a real Rickenbacker.

 

[blr2]

Wow, didn't know they mount them like that. In that case it is a rather proof of originality

 

[FumandoLaMotta]

A picture of the jack plate would help too.

I wish I had a picture of that plate but couldnt get the seller to send it to me.

I'm heading to his place first hour in the morning (it's already late at night here), so if there is anything specific I should be aware about the plate let me know. I know that the serial number is located right there and I'll be checking it on my phone (but that also could be faked).

Nah that's not unusual for tuning pegs on legit Ricks.

View attachment 5403174 View attachment 5403175


OP, except for that one janky looking knob, I think the one you're looking at is a real Rickenbacker.

Thank you brother, indeed that knob is changed.

I'm sincerely shacking here because the guy's ask price is at the lowest (very red flagish price) but the bass really looks legit...

 

[ProbablyTooLoud]

I wish I had a picture of that plate but couldnt get the seller to send it to me.

I'm heading to his place first hour in the morning (it's already late at night here), so if there is anything specific I should be aware about the plate let me know. I know that the serial number is located right there and I'll be checking it on my phone (but that also could be faked).




Thank you brother, indeed that knob is changed.

I'm sincerely shacking here because the guy's ask price is at the lowest (very red flagish price) but the bass really looks legit...

Yeah it does look real. But while low price doesn't necessarily mean stolen, it def is a red flag. I unloaded a fretless 4003 at a really low price not too long ago cause I had no interest in any negotiation, just wanted to sell.

 

[FumandoLaMotta]

Yeah it does look real. But while low price doesn't necessarily mean stolen, it def is a red flag. I unloaded a fretless 4003 at a really low price not too long ago cause I had no interest in any negotiation, just wanted to sell.

I guess it's all gonna be about the mojo once I'll have it in my hands

 

[BigJohnAZ]

Looks legit to me.

 

[Erik Stokley]

Yup looks legit. Judging by the lack of walnut wings on the headstock, non adjustable pickup pole pieces, and blue interior case I'd say it's from the late 90s/early 2000s. I'd jump on it!

You can ask for a picture of the jack plate, that will have the serial number on it. There is a serial decoder on Rickenbackers website.

 

[callofcthulhu]

Check for the obvious - dual rods under the cover, stereo outputs, and a serial number that comes up in the decoder [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

At a glance it looks good - no center strip means it's 80s at the earliest; single piece guard and no bottom truss nuts means it's 90's at the earliest; big top horn, non-full width inlays, and lack of walnut wings means it's 00's at the latest. So altogether I'd guess late 90s, late enough that they stopped doing the extra 2 screws in the tailpiece. This is not a particularly desirable era for Ricks (the purists just don't find that combination of features attractive, and by all accounts the fattest necks Rick would ever produce were coming out at this time) so that may explain the lower price.

But without doing the above due diligence can't rule out a sophisticated (likely Japanese?) copy.

Hard to tell from the pics but are the strap pins Schaller or knurl topped? If Schaller (and original to the bass) that would push my estimate later into the 00s.

 

[TeeSee]

Nah that's not unusual for tuning pegs on legit Ricks.

View attachment 5403174 View attachment 5403175


OP, except for that one janky looking knob, I think the one you're looking at is a real Rickenbacker.

Blimey, it's OK to just screw a machine head on in any shonky manner provided its made in the USA, that plate is deffo proud of the headstock. If it was made in China it'd be a laughing stock? Or is it the headstock was out and the fitter ensured that there was continuity from the bridge to the tuning peg, in which case +1 to US builds. You don't get that on NC built guitars.

 

[godofthunder59]

Is it the picture angle, or the E-tuner is mounted too high and a small part of the plate would be sticking out of the headstock? I doubt something like this would have left the Rickenbacker factory.

Oh that's funny.

 

[godofthunder59]

Check for the obvious - dual rods under the cover, stereo outputs, and a serial number that comes up in the decoder [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

At a glance it looks good - no center strip means it's 80s at the earliest; single piece guard and no bottom truss nuts means it's 90's at the earliest; big top horn, non-full width inlays, and lack of walnut wings means it's 00's at the latest. So altogether I'd guess late 90s, late enough that they stopped doing the extra 2 screws in the tailpiece. This is not a particularly desirable era for Ricks (the purists just don't find that combination of features attractive, and by all accounts the fattest necks Rick would ever produce were coming out at this time) so that may explain the lower price.

But without doing the above due diligence can't rule out a sophisticated (likely Japanese?) copy.

Hard to tell from the pics but are the strap pins Schaller or knurl topped? If Schaller (and original to the bass) that would push my estimate later into the 00s.

I agree late 90's

 

[BadJazz]

From my experience the smooth wiring routing in the body is indicative of a 70's Japanese-built Rick spinoff. Ricks have plunge-routed wiring cutouts.

 

[Erik Stokley]

From my experience the smooth wiring routing in the body is indicative of a 70's Japanese-built Rick spinoff. Ricks have plunge-routed wiring cutouts.

I believe forstner bit route ended with the 4001s. Every Rick I've owned from 89-2020 has had the same route pictured above.

 

[nixdad]

This is legit. I’m nowhere near the expert compared to many people on this forum, but once you get to know Rics and the various copies it’s pretty easy to spot a fake.

 

[eddybuzzard]

I wish I had a picture of that plate but couldnt get the seller to send it to me.

I'm heading to his place first hour in the morning (it's already late at night here), so if there is anything specific I should be aware about the plate let me know. I know that the serial number is located right there and I'll be checking it on my phone (but that also could be faked).




Thank you brother, indeed that knob is changed.

I'm sincerely shacking here because the guy's ask price is at the lowest (very red flagish price) but the bass really looks legit...

Welcome to TB!

Rickresource has a registry, that can also come in handy, once you have the number;

Rickenbacker Register

Good luck!

 

[Bluesrock]

Is it the picture angle, or the E-tuner is mounted too high and a small part of the plate would be sticking out of the headstock? I doubt something like this would have left the Rickenbacker factory.

My 73 Rick's stockhead plate lines up with the top of the D machine head post so it may depend on the year. Of course, mine is old and its Grover machine heads are the originals.

 

[Bar Band Bassman]

Is it the picture angle, or the E-tuner is mounted too high and a small part of the plate would be sticking out of the headstock? I doubt something like this would have left the Rickenbacker factory.

I actually had a 4003SW with that exact issue.

BBB

 

[Snakeman1066]

with the pictures available it looks legit...i see two truss rod adjustments, and the jack plate looks big enough to accommodate two jacks...