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bonadiver
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Post subject: Is my Rickenbacker 4001 fake? Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2006 7:00 pm |
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Joined: Thu Jul 20, 2006 9:53 pm Posts: 4 Location: Campinas - SP - Brazil
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Folks, I have a rickenbacker 4001 which I bought (used) many years ago and I am selling it now, but I'm worried about its authenticity... It doesn't have a serial number at the metal plate near the imputs... does it mean that it is fake? If you could, please take a look at its desciption (in portuguese, sorry) and pictures at http://produto.mercadolivre.com.br/MLB- ... l-1971-_JMAny coments please send to this forum or to bonadiver@hotmail.comIf convinced that its fake I'll be glad to remove it from the auction Thanks Clauber
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ThorntonDavis
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Post subject: Re: Is my Rickenbacker 4001 fake? Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2006 8:29 pm |
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Joined: Wed Aug 10, 2005 1:00 pm Posts: 44 Location: Toronto
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It's difficult to tell from those photos. But I can tell you the tailpiece is not original to the bass. The one on the bass has the split in the center of it. RIC changed the design and stopped putting the split style tailpiece on the 4001 in early 73. This bass is post early 73.
Remove the truss rod cover to see if there are 2 rods in the neck. Most of the copies used one rod. You can also remove the pickguard assemby from the bass to see what electronic components are installed. A 4001 should have two .047 and one .0047 capacitors installed in it, unless someone removed them. Plus there's often some writing (initials or model, colour) inside the body cavity that would have been put there by RIC employees at the time of manufacture.
If it is a copy it would be either a Greco or Ibanez.
TD
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JohnHall
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Post subject: Re: Is my Rickenbacker 4001 fake? Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2006 11:12 pm |
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Joined: Mon Aug 08, 2005 1:00 pm Posts: 4036 Location: Santa Ana, CA
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Based on the somewhat small photo there, I'm inclined to believe this is not fake. However those items mentioned above would be futher clues, altough since this has modern 4003 details, the capacitor info is irrelevant.
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jps
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Post subject: Re: Is my Rickenbacker 4001 fake? Posted: Sat Jul 22, 2006 8:27 am |
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Joined: Mon Aug 08, 2005 1:00 pm Posts: 1187 Location: NE Ohio
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Quote: Folks, It doesn't have a serial number at the metal plate near the imputs... does it mean that it is fake? The S/N on the earlier instruments were silkscreened on to the jackplate and can and does wear off. This may be the case with your bass.
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MykeeB33
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Post subject: Re: Is my Rickenbacker 4001 fake? Posted: Sat Jul 22, 2006 8:54 am |
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Joined: Mon Mar 27, 2006 2:00 pm Posts: 53 Location: Seattle, Washington
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kenswear
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Post subject: Re: Is my Rickenbacker 4001 fake? Posted: Sat Jul 22, 2006 8:58 am |
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Joined: Tue Aug 09, 2005 1:00 pm Posts: 296 Location: Baltimore,MD
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Its a real Ric! its not a 71[no mop inlays]it may be a late 73 thru early 75 it has all the correct parts on it, it has grovers hi gains, the neck pickup is in the half inch spacing[73-75] and the tailpiece is correct.
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crazyrick
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Post subject: Re: Is my Rickenbacker 4001 fake? Posted: Sat Jul 22, 2006 5:48 pm |
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Joined: Sun Aug 21, 2005 1:00 pm Posts: 217 Location: Lisbon, Portugal, EUROPE
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That pickguard looks home-made to me. Also, the neck pickup looks a bit funky, but it could be my eyes... And yes, the bridge assembly is from an older 4001, and obviously has seen better days. As for the neck pickup, a rewind job is in order.
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bonadiver
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Post subject: Re: Is my Rickenbacker 4001 fake? Posted: Tue Jul 25, 2006 12:26 am |
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Joined: Thu Jul 20, 2006 9:53 pm Posts: 4 Location: Campinas - SP - Brazil
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I thank you all for the comments and tips. It's nice to hear from most of you that it's probaly a real Rick. I'll keep investigating until I'm sure. Thanks again for all contibutions
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