It's like I'm almost sorry I'm not left-handed

[ilan]

2002, non-yellowed, bright white, headstock and black Plexi TRC in the right shape, on eBay. No affiliation.

[Dave W]

He bought it new in 2002 but says it's an 11 year old bass. I know some of the black binding guitars and basses sat in stores for quite a while back in the 90s, plus it's a lefty. Still, five years is a long time to keep something in stock.

[gearHed289]

Saw that today. Beauty! Love that finish except for the black hardware.

[leftybass]

I love white basses but hate black hardware. 

[Rhythm N. Bliss]

It would look a lot better with an ebony fretboard & white sharkfins!!
Still...I'm ok with the black hardware & I'm a southpaw so I'm drooling.

[hieronymous]

Good point about the fretboard R'n'B - a lot of the "all-black" Rickenbacker basses are actually "black & tan" - I learned to love it though!



Those of you that don't like black hardware - do you not like the look or do you feel it affects sound, playability, etc.?

[bobyoung]

I think that thing's beautiful just the way it is. I loved the black hardware with certain colors, white being one of them. Lefty basses just look really cool also.

[chromium]

Was there any hard and fast rule for when black guards and TRCs were used on the 4001?  I'm talking about when they used them in combo with the chrome hardware, like on that fretless '76 AG that has been up on Ebay forever.  Was that only done with certain colors, or was it optional with any color?  How did black vs. white binding come into play - as I seem to recall that I've seen both combinations.  All these permutations boggle my mind! 

If they weren't so freakin expensive and hard to find, I'd love to outfit my '78 MG with a black guard and TRC - just for a change of pace.  I think the Rics take to any combo of accoutrements well.

[ilan]

Before the Black Trim option was offered, RIC had black guards, TRC's and body binding on white guitars and some Autumnglo's (possibly also Walnuts - the high-gloss version of AG). Neck binding remained white. This was standard, not a custom order. Some eBay sellers call this Black Trim but it really isn't. I have also seen many contrasting-color 4080's. They had white body binding, black guards and TRC's, and chrome hardware.

[bobyoung]

Before the Black Trim option was offered, RIC had black guards, TRC's and body binding on white guitars and some Autumnglo's (possibly also Walnuts - the high-gloss version of AG). Neck binding remained white. This was standard, not a custom order. Some eBay sellers call this Black Trim but it really isn't. I have also seen many contrasting-color 4080's. They had white body binding, black guards and TRC's, and chrome hardware.

I had an early 80's 4001 like this, white with chrome and black. I liked the combination.