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Hard to say for sure. The fingerboard looks unfinished, (perhaps stripped)?, pbass pickup and guard are definately an add on, I'd be concerned with the necks structual integrity with that Pbass rout so close to the heel of the neck.
You'd really have to see the jack plate, which would give you the serial number, which could be run through the system, which would tell you what year and model we're dealing with.
Might be a refinish also. Something's up with that paint.
Might be a refinish also. Something's up with that paint.
If its real and the neck is straight, It would be a good project for a restore.
I concur with most others. I'm pretty sure this is a Rick 4000 (or 4001S), probably from the late '70s, and if it is, it will have a set neck. The tuners are likely replacements as the posts look a bit oversize to me. I don't think there were Japanese "fake" or "lawsuit" basses that had no binding and dot position markers - I think they all went with the copying the full-trim 4001 back then. The newer "Chinabackers" are easy to spot, and this is not one of them. So, you can confirm authenticity by: (1) checking the date/serial letters/numbers STAMPED into the jackplate, (2) making sure there are two truss rods that have long hexagonal "standoff" nuts inside the cavity in the headstock, and (3) that it is either a neck-through or set-neck construction. This model Rick would NOT have a "bolt-on" neck. If it checks out, buy it, fix it up, and call it a bargain!
Pretty sure thats a 4000. I have one. My serial# starts with OE which makes it a '75.
That would be an easy reversal to get it back to its original state.
That would be an easy reversal to get it back to its original state.
- Jun 6, 2012
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Heh, it even has a little tail lift. It's legit 
I'm wondering if I should have a friend that lives in Brisbane bid on this for me then have him mail it since the lister doesn't ship to the US.
Might make a nice project for winter.
Might make a nice project for winter.
I had thought about the 4000, but the only pics I could find in my extensive 30 second long google first page search didn't have those tuners, the bodies seemed fatter, and the bridge pickup bezel didn't have the interior indentations, nor did the bezel exterior seem a little lopsided. Now looking at a black one to compare and especially the side shot, it does seem like a pretty decent match.
Reverting to stock would be a fairly easy task, although I am not sure about finding an original pickgaurd for sale. It might have to be a custom job.
I am surprised the seller isn't doing this himself. It seems that he could greatly increase the value of the bass before selling it.
Reverting to stock would be a fairly easy task, although I am not sure about finding an original pickgaurd for sale. It might have to be a custom job.
I am surprised the seller isn't doing this himself. It seems that he could greatly increase the value of the bass before selling it.
I'm pretty sure it's a legit 4000 that was modded along the way. It would be fairly simple to get this back to stock, whatever body filling needed to be done would be covered by the replacement pickguard. Tony at Pickguardian would be my first choice for a new pickguard.
If I were to buy this I would also consider putting a toaster pickup in the neck to convert it to a 4001s. And/or go with a black pickguard and black TRC for the "None More Black" effect.
OP, whatever you decide, GLWYP.
If I were to buy this I would also consider putting a toaster pickup in the neck to convert it to a 4001s. And/or go with a black pickguard and black TRC for the "None More Black" effect.
OP, whatever you decide, GLWYP.
Well, not as simple as that. Some of the Japanese copies from the '70s-'80s had twin truss rods, too. But the jackplate is legit. If you want to return it to more or less stock, you'll need to get a new pickguard for sure. Either eliminate the bass pickup for a single-pickup layout (model 4001) or replace it with a Rick pickup (High-gain or reissue Toaster, or even a Rick HB-1 humbucker) for a twin-pickup layout (model 4001S). A thorough cleanup and a pro setup, and you're in business!
