Please help verify Rickenbacker

[Gilmourisgod]

Could be a modded Japanese lawsuit bass, or just a one off copy build, but definitely not a genuine 4003. That said, could still be a decent bass, but I don't think I'd pay more than $400 for it.

 

[smurfco]

 

[Kevin Hailey]

Is it an ugly, uncomfortable heap of trash that sounds terrible?
If so it’s probably genuine.

 

[farace]

I can’t believe how far out the tuners are protruding. Looks like Alfred E. Neuman’s ears.

And is that a zero fret? And is that a tummy cut in the first photo, or just the light?

 

[Erik Stokley]

I believe it's actually a Russian made jolana bass. the set neck, deep belly cut, wide headstock, block inlays and zero fret are clear indicators. It has most definitely been modified and refinished.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

The Japanese "Lawsuit" basses badged as Greco, Fernandes, Ibanez, etc. were, in some cases, as good or better than genuine Ric 4001's, but they are hard to find these days, and getting up into the $1k range. Ric was pretty sucessful at keeping them off Ebay for years, but now seems to given it up as a waste of time. I see Chickenbackers openly for sale all the time. I've never seen a Jolana in person, but a buddy had one of the Ibanez neck through copies that I was able to compare with my 4001 back in the Day, and it was at least as good in the fit and finish, and sounded nearly identical. Short of coughing up $2k plus for the real deal, the OP's best bet is to find a Lawsuit bass in good condition, basically an excercise in patience and persistence.

 

[mikecd1]

The only set neck 4000's I've seen were the ones without binding and as others have already stated this fakerfakker is just that and should be reported as such.

 

[Timothy Brosnan]

Also, note the he large tuning posts; on a real Rickenbacker, they are small.

 

[Gizmot]

My opinion - El Fako Bacca!