AMV001

Bridge: Yes, the Allparts replacement will probably lift. If its the same material and construction as a Ric original though, this is a process that takes decades and isn't necessarily a problem. My 1980 4001 (44 years with roundwounds) has the original bridge and it has only lifted a few millimetres and it doesn't affect its function. As for better options the V2 bridge has individually adjustable saddles but keeps the vibe of the original. Pricey though. I don't like how the Hipshot bridge looks. Scratchplate: As mentioned, try Rickysounds Tuners: I believe the Hipshot HB5 is a drop in replacement. Not sure which way it winds though.

Yep, looks like the position has been changed. Check out the neck/body joint and the fact that the scratchplate is much closer to the end of the body on the '23. Apologies for the dust, by the way, haven't had the chance to pick it up much over the past couple of weeks...

So, its been six months since I started the search for my old Ric 4001 (serial number PL7996). Still having no luck, although there have been a couple of near misses- a guitar shop in Germany recently sold PL7986 and the Rick Resource website, who have a member compiled database of over 50,000 instruments, are listing PL7998 as being located somewhere in Tennessee. Both of these were probably from the same production run as mine. I’m not deterred though, but as mentioned in an earlier post I’m now just playing the long game, waiting for some info to appear. There are plenty of examples of missing guitars suddenly appearing again, even after many years. You just have to stay vigilant. If Peter Frampton's Les Paul can turn up 31 years after being lost in a plane crash in a jungle, there's always a chance. Although, for obvious reasons I hope it doesn’t take that long…

I thought it looked different, but also thought that it was maybe just the angle of the photo. Now you mention it though, the last fret looks like it doesn't hang over the body, like the earlier models, so you could be right. The 21 fret versions have a similar bridge position too.

That bridge looks to be slightly further forward than the standard Ric bridge. Is the V2 bridge smaller?

Indeed, very similar. Though yours seems to be darker- is it a Fireglo?

As this thread seems to still be fairly healthy after so many years, I'll make a contribution. 1980 4001 with aftermarket black plastics. There has been some debate elsewhere about whether this is Fireglo or Autumnglo. I've always assumed its FG but AG seems to have almost been the same as FG at some points down the years, so it could be possible. There is no hint of brown in it though, and the red is a bit brighter in person than it appears in this pic. Great guitar though, I've owned it since 1989.

Is the spacing not too narrow? A and D seem OK but E and G aren't centred on the pole pieces. Is there any sideways adjustment? I need to replace the bridge on a Squier Jazz and am looking at options at the moment, this bridge being one of them.

Best purchase in 2023 was a set of DiMarzio Model J. The adjustable pole pieces solved a persistent string volume problem. While I was at it I also did a parallel/series mod, using the neck volume on a push/pull pot. Series mode is great- loud and fat.

I'd recommend getting in touch with one of the guitar magazines. Its a good story that would make an interesting piece. A nationally published magazine would probably have the authority to get a response from the Who organisation. Guitarist magazine can be contacted at [email protected] or on 01225 442244

Yes, I have. Although this was a long time ago (1990s).

Its a sticker. Was on there for a few months in 1992, not sure exactly how long though. The pic in the first post is from Feb 1993 and it has gone by then.

Six weeks on from the above and I'm still searching. There were a couple of brief moments of excitement during Nov, firstly when a used black/black '76 with road wear turned up on Reverb. But it was a manufactured a couple of weeks before mine according to the serial. Also, The Bass Gallery in London had listed a used Jetglo '76 with a non-original bridge pickup. TBG are located just a couple of miles from my old apartment, so I was immediately intrigued. A quick trip up there confirmed it wasn't the one, unfortunately. So, I’m still no closer to finding the guitar and the waiting game goes on. In the meantime, here’s a pic of my manservant giving it a quick tune up back in 1992.

I have a 1983 Jazz that had a serious problem with string to string volume (the bottom E was twice the volume of the others). Pulled out the stock pickups and installed a pair of DiMarzio Model J, which have adjustable pole pieces. Set the heights to even out the volume. Made a world of difference. While I was at it I also did a parallel/series mod, using the neck volume on a push/pull pot. Series mode is great- loud and fat.

Since when did Rickenbacker start using mini pots? Shouldn't they be full size CTS? Caveat- I could be completely out of touch. I've only seen the inside of original 4001's.

Thank you. Yep, as I said in the original post above and as I have stated in all the posts on social media etc. I'm prepared to buy it back if it can be found and the owner is willing to sell. If the owner isn't willing to sell, then I'm happy to leave my contact details in case he/she changes their mind.

Just a quick update. Sadly, I am still no closer to finding it. The situation is that I have now been in contact with the person who sold it back in 1995. However, they claim to “not remember that time” which is odd because, even though it was 28 years ago, it will have been the only occasion in their life that they have sold a guitar, so its extraordinary that they can’t remember a single detail about it. I've sent a follow up with more questions but have yet to receive a reply. In the meantime, there are threads running on all the major Facebook Rickenbacker groups, in both of the dedicated online Ricky forums and other bass related sites like this one and alerts are set up on Reverb and Ebay. I guess its going to be a waiting game now, not sure what else to do, but while I think about that, here’s more pics.

I wish I'd had the choice...

Depends. Whoever bought it back in 1995 probably didn't know then and still doesn't, if they even still have it. On the other hand, if it turns up again on Ebay/Reverb there are people who watch out for these things and report back.

Yep. Posted on Talk Bass and The Gear Page too, as well as here. Also posted in a load of Rickenbacker groups on Facebook and it has been shared pretty widely. Also following it up via some private connections with former staff at the studio. Someone has listed it on the registry at Rick Resource but as what is known as a 'collected item'. Meaning it has been sourced online from public info rather than actually listed by the owner. I'm attempting to get control of that listing so I can tag the instrument as stolen, but its taking a while to get a response from the admins.

Thank you. Not having a whole lot of luck so far but its still early days. Plenty of best wishes and encouragement being sent my way though, so that's cool. The Rick Resource and official RIC forums are being painfully slow at responding though, which is a bit frustrating. Still waiting for the admins at RIC forum to approve the registration.

Yeah, possibly. I've been around a bit...

Hello All. If you will all forgive me for such a forthright first post, I am putting out an appeal. I would like to trace- and if possible buy back- this guitar (see pic below). 1976 Rickenbacker 4001, serial number PL7996. When sold, this guitar had a Jazz bass pickup fitted in the bridge position. Black scratchplate and Jazz pickup were added by me and I played this guitar extensively during the early-mid 1990s. In 1995, it was sold without my permission by someone working for Nomis Studios, London (possibly to a client or customer). I know this is a long shot and it may have changed hands and locations many times in the past 28 years. But in my experience musicians are generally a sociable lot, who like to discuss and share info about their instruments and spend a lot of time online, so if I can spread this appeal as widely as possible, someone out there may realise that they have it. There have been a few recent extraordinary examples of items found in this way so I thought it may be worth a try. Any info gratefully received.