REALLY STRANGE RICKENBACKER

[AlexDMoney]

I have a real problem with the TRC as well. I know the angle of the camera can change the look, but is seems way to close to the E tuner and pointed??????

You’re correct. It looks like the truss rod cover is a fake, but the rest of the neck really throws me off

 

[Guzzi Toad]

I keep counting 20 frets.
But it is missing a dot.
Maybe that would help identify the year.
(I better get out my P. Boyer book.)

 

[Gilmourisgod]

Same, 20 frets, and I’ve never seen a faker with a fingerboard like that. Nobody sells Bubinga fingerboard blanks, believe me, I searched for my builds.I had to buy a Bubinga plank, re-saw it, and send to LMI for fret slotting. If it’s not legit, it’s a very nice one off custom build, and from personal experience, a huge amount of work.

 

[woodyng2]

Some things will always be inexplicable....trying to tie down certain practices and timelines with Rickenbacker production is always a bit elusive.

 

[Rib 13]

I keep counting 20 frets.
But it is missing a dot.
Maybe that would help identify the year.
(I better get out my P. Boyer book.)

me too....the missing dot was throwing me off...I posted a disclaimer last page:

disregard my post - .....im so used to seeing that on 4001 copies, the missing fret dot on some 4004 models was throwing me off...…..

that OP model is so peculiar......I never seen an instrument that looked so much right and wrong at the same time

i cant delete the original post so it looks like I set myself up for a week of notifications ​

 

[Jeff Scott]

disregard my post - .....im so used to seeing that on 4001 copies, the missing fret dot on some 4004 models was throwing me off...…..

Sorry, I thought you were referring to the number of frets, not the dots.

 

[Jeff Scott]

I have a real problem with the TRC as well. I know the angle of the camera can change the look, but is seems way to close to the E tuner and pointed??????

There's more wrong with the TRC than just that one detail. Most of the early plexi TRCs are pointed at the end. The 12 string guitar TRCs are often rounded over a bit.

 

[Guzzi Toad]

me too....the missing dot was throwing me off...I posted a disclaimer last page ...

It's all good Spazz. I always count from the 12th fret.

 

[Matt Liebenau]

My thought is similar to @ctmullins. If you’re looking for a player and it has a look and sound you like and plays well you should probably consider it. However, if you do get it and subsequently decide you don’t like it you’ll have, at best, a difficult time selling it so think, then think again, then sleep on it before you lay down cash or another bass for it.

Post a review when you do pick it up.

 

[Playbyear]

I’ve seen good looking, high quality Fernandes copies, but they have the missing dot.

 

[LennyJ]

Hi everyone. First real post here. I was offered a trade for an “experimental 4001”. The guy offering said he got it from someone’s friend, a retired employee of rickenbacker. So, perhaps I could employ a few rick detectives to help. I have never owned a Rick so any insight is greatly appreciated. A link to the album can be found here:



It should be noted: the bass does NOT have a serial number on the input jack. Upon zooming in on the photos, the dual truss rods are visible near the heel.

Sorry I did not read this whole post - but has you tried calling Rickenbacker to ask. Did not see that question if there.

I have called them in the past and they seemed nice at that time.

 

[Glenn Johnson]

I didn't know that any Rickenbacker basses had truss rod adjusters at the neck heel. . .

 

[msb]

Yes , early 4003 basses have the rod adjustment there , roughly from 80-84 . They are the ones with the two piece pickguard .