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Rickenbacker Model help!

C

Clark106345

Jul 16, 2023
4
4
#1
Hello,

I have an enigma I have been trying to figure out for months. Hopefully one of you can help!

I recent received a Rickenbacker fretless bass as a gift from a friend. I have played enough Ricks to know when I plugged it up that it is indeed a Rick. Sounds like one, plays like one, etc. However, the jack plate has been replaced so there’s no way to see a model number—I took the faceplate off to see the electronics but on that front I don’t really know what I’m looking at. My friend that gave ti to me is the second owner but is not a musician at all so knows nothing about the thing.

Can someone help me identify this Rick and if so, what model number I might be holding? I’d love to sell it and get something more feasible for my studio work but I can’t do that if I don’t know what model it is! Below are some pictures.

Thank y’all in advance for your help!
 

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#4
That’s my fear. The crazy thing is I’ve played a lot of Ricks and it plays and sounds like a Rick—but I dunno how to identify whether or not it is. Like I said, looking at the electronics, I’m not really sure what I’m looking at.
 
#11
StereoPlayer said:
any gift bass is a great bass!
Click to expand...
0000_1.jpg


also, it's a fretless! :hyper: can't take that away! :D

even though i now know that it's a total fake: it still might be one of the best looking 'rics' i've ever seen! :laugh:

Clark106345 said:
...it plays and sounds like a Rick...
Click to expand...
a fretless ric! do you have other fretless axes? (i.e., everyone should have a fretless! ;) )
 
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#12
JRA said:
View attachment 5127032

also, it's a fretless! :hyper: can't take that away! :D

even though i now know that it's a total fake: it still might be one of the best looking 'rics' i've ever seen! :laugh:


a fretless ric! do you have other fretless axes? (i.e., everyone should have a fretless! ;) )
Click to expand...
I have a Ric 4001…
And…three fretless basses. The Ric seldom sees any action.
 
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#19
Clark106345 said:
Hello,

I have an enigma I have been trying to figure out for months. Hopefully one of you can help!

I recent received a Rickenbacker fretless bass as a gift from a friend. I have played enough Ricks to know when I plugged it up that it is indeed a Rick. Sounds like one, plays like one, etc. However, the jack plate has been replaced so there’s no way to see a model number—I took the faceplate off to see the electronics but on that front I don’t really know what I’m looking at. My friend that gave ti to me is the second owner but is not a musician at all so knows nothing about the thing.

Can someone help me identify this Rick and if so, what model number I might be holding? I’d love to sell it and get something more feasible for my studio work but I can’t do that if I don’t know what model it is! Below are some pictures.

Thank y’all in advance for your help!
Click to expand...
That is not a Ric.
 
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#20
Chickenbacker Standard. They vary from OK to unplayable depending on the factory, they all use the same parts and CNC files, built to wildly variable levels of fit and finish. If it plays well, you won the Chickenbacker Lottery. Take the fake TRC off it and it’s all good. Average about $350-400 on Aliexpress.
 
Last edited:
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