AMV001

Interested. Can't be at Birmingham so will wait for the first couple of issues to hit the stands.

Nice. What are the six positions?

1981 4001 BT with personal modifications. Its taken a while to get all the mods I wanted done and I still want to install a parallel/series switch (probably on a push/pull pot). But that can wait a while I think, I just want to enjoy it for now.

I had a mate who used to live in Wymondham, so I spent some time there occasionally. There was a rehearsal place called the Woodshack he used to use, I went there a couple of times. They used to have various flyers and ads for local events on display. Maybe start there (if its still there of course, this was about 10 years ago) I'm sure the staff can advise on the local scene. EDIT- There was also a place called Plug Studios in Norwich. Maybe try there too.

More muddying of the waters- "The earliest version of Autumnglo was simply shaded brown. The middle clear areas on most of these old guitars have yellowed, but wasn't originally apparent. The next version was just Fireglo laid on rather heavily. The last version was back to that original brown, but in a satin finish, while the gloss version of that color was designated Walnut. So when someone says Autumnglo, you always have to ask WHICH Autumnglo?" (John Hall, posted on the official Rickenbacker forum February 2000). "There's so much confusion about Autumnglo and how it changed. In the early 50's it really was it's own dye but by the end it was just dark Fireglo" (John Hall, posted on the Rick Resource forum, November 2005). I have a similar conundrum to your self. For years I believed my '80 was Fireglo until getting hold of Paul Boyer's book. Then I was almost convinced that it's actually Autumnglo. I had a discussion about it on the FB 'Rickenbacker Bass Guitars' group and plenty of people chipped in who had Fireglos that were a darker shade of the burst (the standard Fireglo is brighter, almost a cherry sunburst). There ended up being no consensus apart from the fact that Fireglo has varied over the years due to various factors- the shade of paint used, whoever happened to be manning the spray booth on any given day and the fact that the varnish yellows over time, which changes the hue of the paint. The other thing we agreed on was that the black scratchplate on mine fools the eye and makes the red look darker than it actually is.

Referring once again to Paul Boyers excellent book 'The Rickenbacker Bass, 50 years as Rocks Bottom'. He states in the chapter dedicated to finishes that Montezuma Brown was only available between 2003 and 2006 (it first appeared as a Colour Of The Year in '03 and was the only colour programme to be extended). Therefore the OP's bass, being a 82, can't be Montezuma Brown. Pics from the book attached- 2 Monte Browns and an Autumnglo & Walnut comparison. The latter are very close in colour, however the accompanying text states that Autumnglo disappeared from RIC price lists in 1980 but Walnut continued until early '85 although it was described as 'shaded brown' from '81. I'd still be inclined to say the OP's bass is Walnut.

Possibly Walnut? Paul Boyer's book mentions that Walnut was available in matt and gloss finishes up to 1985.

Frosty The Snowman- The Cocteau Twins Sleigh Ride- The Ventures Sleigh Ride- R2D2 & C3PO Walking Round In Women's Underwear- Bob Rivers & Twisted Radio (to the tune of 'Walking In A Winter Wonderland')

There are a few contributors to the Rickenbacker thread over on Talk Bass (yes, I know...) who have done 4/5 string conversions. Might be worth a browse. Apologies if you've already done this, of course.

Was flicking through Mick Rock's book 'Iggy & The Stooges- Raw Power' last night and was curious to find this pic of Ron Asheton with a Precision/Jazz hybrid. Most live pics of him in his bassist days show him using a Guild Jetstar but this must have been a neck and body thrown together from different instruments. I don't think Fender were in the hybrid game during 1972 but I could be wrong.

Absolutely there is, I agree.

Ah...after fret work, I see. That's a different kettle of fish from a regular polishing routine then.

320 grit? Really? Wow, I salute your skill. I wouldn't dare use anything that coarse. A real risk of re-shaping the fret with something that rough.

8000 grit micro mesh polishing cloths.