Rickenbacker Copy Identification

[Adam P]

Hey all, new member here. I recently purchased a Rickenbacker copy and I’m having trouble identifying a few things and thought some people on here might be able to help out. I was told by the seller it’s a Japanese copy from the 70s but I can’t find any serial numbers or anything to help identify the brand or year. The Rickenbacker truss rod cover was on it when I purchased it but there is no numbers under that. As the photos suggest it has seen better days, especially the rust on the bridge pickup surround. If anyone has any ideas let me know. Thanks!

 

[Matt O]

Hey all, new member here. I recently purchased a Rickenbacker copy and I’m having trouble identifying a few things and thought some people on here might be able to help out. I was told by the seller it’s a Japanese copy from the 70s but I can’t find any serial numbers or anything to help identify the brand or year. The Rickenbacker truss rod cover was on it when I purchased it but there is no numbers under that. As the photos suggest it has seen better days, especially the rust on the bridge pickup surround. If anyone has any ideas let me know. Thanks! View attachment 5287988View attachment 5287989View attachment 5287990View attachment 5287991View attachment 5287992

Welcome to talkbass!

Looks like one of the many Japanese clones from the 70s. I have a Greco variant Ric clone, but there are at least a half dozen or more names the Japanese clones were made under. Too bad the original truss cover is gone, because that’s typically how you can tell what brand it was made under.

There is a fake Ric club here on talkbass, with many knowledgeable members. I suggest you post your pics up in that thread and someone may have an idea what brand it is. My guess is it came out of the Fuji-Gen factory.

good luck!

https://www.talkbass.com/threads/club-rickenfaker-fakenbacker-show-your-fake-rics.623072/

 

[eriky4003]

Man, that bass looks great. The only tell I really see are the backs of the tuners and my faceplate comes in 2 pieces. I do recall falling in love with a Univox back in the day (mid-70's) at a local music store.

 

[Adam P]

Welcome to talkbass!

Looks like one of the many Japanese clones from the 70s. I have a Greco variant Ric clone, but there are at least a half dozen or more names the Japanese clones were made under. Too bad the original truss cover is gone, because that’s typically how you can tell what brand it was made under.

There is a fake Ric club here on talkbass, with many knowledgeable members. I suggest you post your pics up in that thread and someone may have an idea what brand it is. My guess is it came out of the Fuji-Gen factory.

good luck!

https://www.talkbass.com/threads/club-rickenfaker-fakenbacker-show-your-fake-rics.623072/

Thanks, I don’t even know if this reply is going to work right but I’ll find out once it’s posted I suppose. I don’t have the original truss rod cover sadly but I’ll try posting in the thread you suggested. Thanks again!

 

[Motorhate]

Not sure if this was ever identified but it's a Shaftesbury Rick copy. Originally imported into the UK from Japan for the Rose Morris Company, it got it's name from Shaftesbury Avenue in London where the company/shop was based. These basses would have been built in the Matsumoko Gakki factory and imported into the UK by Rose Morris in an attempt to counter the delays and poor quality of the Rickenbackers being imported from the USA. These were really good copies and were pretty true to the original design.