• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

NBD: 77' Ibanez Rickenbacker copy!

D

DTD1858

Jan 12, 2011
24
0
Dallas Texas
#1
Hello everyone! Im a new guy here but i thought i would post my new bass i bought today!

101_1763.jpg

101_1765.jpg


Ive always wanted a Rick (hell, ive always wanted to FIND one to try out) but I can't afford one. This thing sounds great! someone lost a bridge saddle and made one out of wood lol. other than that i really dig this bass.... The frets are a bit worn out, but im rather afraid of attempting to refret this thing because the fretboard is finished (so weird to see a finished rosewood fingerboard) and the treble pickup surround is really rusted. So i have a few questions:

Will Ricky parts (treble pickup surround, cover, string mute, etc) fit on this bass relatively easy?

I heard from the original owner that Rickenbacker will hunt you down if you try to sell a copy through an online advertisement (craigslist, ebay) is this true?

What is this thing made of? Im guessing its maple....but i have no clue.

Thanks guys.
 
#2
Dunno why the fretboard is finished. Maybe prior owner did that? Anyway those Ibanez rick copies from the 70's are very nice. Id have a luthier look at it regarding restoring the fretboard and refretting. Unless you want a fretless one in which case having it defretted with nice fretline replacement for frets done. Either way the finish on neck would be removed by luthier I think. It does have maple body btw.
 
#5
RIC parts should in theory fit, though the screw holes may just be slightly off, not 100% sure. From RIC you have to buy the whole pickup assembly for $150.
Here's a link to the RIC boutique section: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

I bought a copy bridge pup surround off ebay and it fits my '77 4001 just fine, but like yours is a bit rusty (the chroming is not as good as the RIC parts).

A RIC saddle ($5.00) should fit your bridge, but you can also usually find a complete Allparts bridge/tailpiece assembly on ebay for between $50 and $100.
Saddles, etc: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Parts are usually available from dealers as wells as RIC.
Pick of the Ricks is a good choice, great folks.
The place to shop for Rickenbacker Guitars, Basses and Parts
They do sell just the surround: $30.00.
 
#6
kcole4001 said:
RIC parts should in theory fit, though the screw holes may just be slightly off, not 100% sure. From RIC you have to buy the whole pickup assembly for $150.
Here's a link to the RIC boutique section: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

I bought a copy bridge pup surround off ebay and it fits my '77 4001 just fine, but like yours is a bit rusty (the chroming is not as good as the RIC parts).

A RIC saddle ($5.00) should fit your bridge, but you can also usually find a complete Allparts bridge/tailpiece assembly on ebay for between $50 and $100.
Saddles, etc: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Parts are usually available from dealers as wells as RIC.
Pick of the Ricks is a good choice, great folks.
The place to shop for Rickenbacker Guitars, Basses and Parts
They do sell just the surround: $30.00.
Click to expand...

Thank Kcole, I just ordered the saddle and pickup surround from pick of the ricks. I might get some rick pickups to put in this thing, im not sure. I really like the way it sounds as is, and im afraid of pony-ing up the cash and not hearing much of a difference. Thanks!
 
#7
Glad to be of help!
New RIC pups will sound different.
They're wound a lot hotter and have a much throatier tone, yours are probably pretty close to 1970s vintage RIC pups in tone.

If you're happy with the current tone, there's absolutely no need to replace them.
 
#8
That certainly looks like maple.

The replacement saddles are cheap enough that it's worth a try to see if one will go right on your bass.

I'd leave those pickups, they're good. Unless you want to go with a toaster in the neck position for a different sound. I doubt new Ric high gains would be an improvement.
 
#10
jim777 said:
Looks nice :) Is that a through neck or a bolt on?
Click to expand...

Its a bolt-on....which I really do like. When i first got it, it needed a neck shim in a bad way. I couldn't have done that with a neck through....although that particular design might not have ever needed adjusting.

I wonder if these frets were particularly low profile when it was original? i mean all the frets on it are low; it doesn't have pronounced wear in certain areas. I don't think it has been refretted either; I do repair work, and usually im pretty good about spotting a repair.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back