What year Rickenbacker is this?

[saltyj]

Turns out it was a 78! I snagged it for a good price.

 

[saltyj]

I do want to replace the bridge so if anyone could point me in the right direction that’d be awesome. I really appreciate all the help!

 

[BobKos]

Cracked headstock is a demerit and should be priced accordingly.

 

[saltyj]

Cracked headstock is a demerit and should be priced accordingly.

It looks cracked? Seems fine to me

 

[bobyoung53]

The one piece pick guard makes me think mid to late 80s

The only time Rics had two piece pick guards were on 4003's from 1980 until about 1985.

 

[Funk With Me]

It looks cracked? Seems fine to me

See post #4, lower right screw on the tuner with the tag on it.

 

[saltyj]

See post #4, lower right screw on the tuner with the tag on it.

Appears to be just a paint crack. Having it checked out though, appreciate the heads up.

 

[coreyfyfe]

I do want to replace the bridge so if anyone could point me in the right direction that’d be awesome. I really appreciate all the help!

As pointed out a little upthread, if you're going to swap in a proper/ish bridge I would go for the new 4003 bridge. It maintains the look but gives you better range of adjustment. Rick sells them directly. The other alternatives would be the hipshot rick replacement (doesn't have the mute system) or finding a vintage.

01160-4003v2 Tailpiece+Damper Assembly

 

[Rabidhamster]

As pointed out a little upthread, if you're going to swap in a proper/ish bridge I would go for the new 4003 bridge. It maintains the look but gives you better range of adjustment. Rick sells them directly. The other alternatives would be the hipshot rick replacement (doesn't have the mute system) or finding a vintage.

01160-4003v2 Tailpiece+Damper Assembly

Don’t forget would also need to buy the saddles assembly

 

[saltyj]

I'm liking this bass but it really seems to need a refret (at least frets 1-5). I feel at this point I'd be dumping a lot of money into this to keep it. Seems like a refret on Rick's would be costly? How low can you go on the original frets?

 

[GIBrat51]

That bridge looks like the Ric bridge they use on the 4004L. If you ever need to do setup you’ll be glad you have that bridge.

I agree. That's a Schaller 3D-4 bridge. Rick used them for a very good reason; as did a lot of vintage American-made Kramers. The same reason I use them whenever I build something, or have to replace a bridge. The reason? They are most excellent bridges. The only reason I would even think of replacing a 3D-4 would be if I just couldn't get the saddles up or down far enough to set the string height. And even then, in the case of that 4001? I'd modify the filler plate accordingly. And as for a re-fret? Older Ricks didn't have much fret to begin with, so unless the owner paid close attention to them (which the original owner of my '87 Rick 330 did not do) and had them dressed when needed? If it was played hard - with rounds (Roto stainless 10s, in this case) - they often don't last long. My 330's frets were just... gone, when I got it. OTOH, my '73 4001 was also played hard for a lotta years, but it's never worn rounds in it's life. The frets don't really even need dressing yet - much less replaced. How much for a re-fret? To have it done the right way by someone who can do it on a Rick? I'd be sitting down when he hands you the bill; it will not be cheap...