Rickenbacker 4001 Stereo SA609

1973 Rickenbacker 4001 with ric-o-sound stereo . Black with white trim and white pick guard. all the standard features of this bass

this bass is versatile. I currently play in a classic rock/bar band and work fairly regulary. the sound on this bass can go from a very full bottom to a bright sound. either way, the sound is crystal clear. I also use a 1974 ampeg svt amp which definitly doesnt hurt the sound.
p.s. I know I play on old stuff, I do have several newer basses and a new Kustom amp but The Rickenbacker and SVT give me the sound I want

the set up was fine. this was the first "real" bass I owned. The guitar I started on was a poor copy of a fender P bass. The action was so bad on that copy that I am surprised I didnt get frustated and quit playing. anyway, I've played many basses since and the Ric has always felt best to me. the finish on my 4001 is outstanding. even after 30 + years of playing it, it has very little blemishes on it.

this bass is very reliable. I have owned it since I was 13 in 1975 and have been in steadily working bands when I gotit. I didnt have a 2nd bass until 1984. I had no need for a back-up bass. the truss rods needing adjusting once in 2003

I have had no dealings with the compnay

I have been playing bass "profesionally" since I was 9 and I have had my rickenbacker since age 13--32 years. to me, my rick plays itself. if it were stolen (god forbid) I would buy another one in a heartbeat but it would be difficult finding a vintage one in as good condition as mine. I chose this bass for 2 reasons: 1) I was a small kid and it was much lighter than a Fender Precision 2) I was a big fan of BTO and C.F. Turner used the rick at that time

1974 Rickenbacker it has a good finish. Kind of one dimensional.

Very one dimensional in sound. I also have a Schecter Elite which I always use in the studio. It blows the Ric away for versatility.

I don't like the double truss rods. They are to hard to adjust the neck.

I've been playing for 30 years. If it was stolen I would not buy another Rickenbacker.

I bought my black & white 1981 Rick nine years ago for #650 (GBP). I've wanted one since I was fourteen when Pete Hook used to play one in Joy Division's early days.
Anybody who is attracted to the 4001 is most likely to be drawn by the sound, so the other features are nearly irrelevant: the pickup configuration and controls are simple and effective. The neck is long and narrow. The machines work just fine, etc etc. You have to REALLY love the sound to buy one, I think, because the list of faults and disadvantages is pretty long.

I 've tried quite a few basses over the years and I've never played anything that comes anywhere near to the sound of the Ricky 4001. It is probably totally unique, and is by far the instrument's biggest asset. It will suit anyone who plays melodically?every note is crystal clear?but when played hard there's real gravel and grit in the lower registers and high notes seem to last forever.
I play in a darkish-sounding sort of rock band, and my playing involves a lot of finger-picked chords, strumming and high notes, which the 4001 is fantastic for except in one respect ? there's only 20 frets. This is this guitar's biggest drawback for me.

My Rick is pretty battered so the finish is difficult to assess! Somebody has rewired it at some stage too, very clumsily. I have constant earth-buzz (I think you say ground-buzz in the US) problems, exacerbated by my removal of the ridiculous cover from the bridge pick up. Yes, I know it insulates the p/u from interference, but how can you play properly with a great sheet of metal over the strings? The neck has a slight bend in it, but the double truss rod and thru-neck system sends even the the most experienced local guitar repairers/builders scampering for cover. I daren't try to adjust it myself, for fear of damaging the beautiful rosewood fingerboard.

I've been rehearsing, gigging and recording with this bass for years, and I've never needed a back-up: but that's not to say it's reliable. As I've said, the wiring is duff (especially the jack socket) and sometimes the only way to get it to work is to hit it really hard ? so it's probably a good thing that the overall finish is pretty robust. As I didn't buy it from new it would be unfair to rate it.

My Rick is heavy, uncomfortable to play, buzzy, electronically dubious and unreliable, virtually impossible to get serviced economically in this country (UK) and has only 20 frets ? but I wouldn't change it for the world.

Not much I can add here. My Ricky has been with me since I bought it new for #430 in 75. It has been my main bass for many years and worked well for both live and studio work untill the truss rods failed a few years ago.

I first fell in love with the sound this bass makes when I heard people like McCartney, Squire, lee etc back in the late 60s, yes I am that old!I have a few bass guitars in my collection but this is certainly one of the most disinctive.We've been through a lot over the years and I would never part with it-because of that sound.

As I said I got this bass brand new and the fit and finish were as you would expect from a quality instrument.I was amazed at how low the action was which helped me play faster. I agree with one of the other peoples coments about having to play this bass properly, no good having (banana fingers)with this beauty. I 've bought quite a few guitars over the years and so I have to this is one of the best.

Now here is where it gets a little different. As I stated before the truss rods gave out some years ago,I was lucky though the neck didn't warp too much!It cracked a couple of the triangular markers which is a point when buying one of these second hand.These necks are very fragile so you have to be careful when affecting repairs. I have recently started to restore the bass and have just replaced the rods and damper assy as this had disintigrated!The sound is much improved now. I may well replace the pups next year as there is now a fall off of sound.Having said all that you have to bare in mind this guitar has worked hard and is getting on a little.It has a few bits of damage as you'd expect, but nothing that affects the bass.

Some years ago I tried to get new truss-rods from them but they didn't like selling to the public direct.
Things are much better now, just contact Rosetti in Braintree, Essex for anything you need.

As I said this bass is great for me, though it won't suit everyone. I still love plying this bass and would get another tomorrow (money allowing)if anything happened to this one.

My ricky 4001 was made in 1979,it used to be white but now is yellowed.Some of the features of a ricky are well known,ie the neck through body construction of maple wood wich gives them thier distinctive sound.All parts are original,I did remove the bridge p/u cover.

The reason i chose this bass was for the sound.Played through an Ampeg SVT you have the classic combo of edgy treble and punchy bottom end,a tone wich will penetrate any live setting and make people dance.The single coil p/us are no noisier than a Fender,I did put copper foil under the pick guard and rewired it with nicer wire.With new strings on it the tone is monsterous, piano like clarity allows very intricate playing to be heard.Ricky basses are somewhat difficult to play cleanly as fret noise can enter in if you dont play with precision.Equally good live or recorded.Not for every one,but in the right players hands a thing of beauty.

The overall setup of my bass took some time to perfect as the neck is fragile and the dual truss rod required atop notch luthier to heat press and adjust.Playability is different than other basses.One must play with care to bring the best tone out.Quality of hardware,woods fit and finish are excellent.Nice tiny frets{the cource of noise if your not careful}.Intonation is a bit touchy to set up but if you know your string guages will stay put forever.

This bass is the only bass I own.I have relied on it for many years of live playing and recording.It still looks great,plays great{after the one prfessional setup mentioned}and most likely will be the only bass I ever need.Enough said.

I have never daelt with Rickenbacker,I know the year of my bass via thier web site.I bought it used and would get it repaired if need be by local luthiers.

I have played guitar and bass for 16 years.When I play friends p basses I like the overall sound and playability,butIf my Rick was stolen Iwould buy another.My favorite feature is the sound it makes.I wish it was the maple glow or black finish.If you like the sound a Rick produces and can deal with a slightly different animal,try one out.

Basic 4001 Stereo Bass Features

Came with Rick-o-Sound allowing a Stereo or even panning from Pickup to Pickup in real time. This was cool about the seventh time I used it, and then I never used it again gain. If you have a stereo application, great; otherwise it's a gimic.
Bright sound - very bright and nicely gritty. But somewhat one dimensional. At the time I loved 'Yes' and 'Rush'. That bright gritty Getty Lee sound wears off when you get to your late twenties and find you really can't use it for folk or jazz. If you try to subdue that gritty-ness it gets too 'church pipe organ like'.

The action and finish was the best I ever played. The rosewood fingerboard was cover by and 1/8th of an inch (at least) on ploy-urethane or laquer. The neck was very thin and slippery, the slipperiest, smoothest I ever played

That slim neck came with a bit of a price. The neck tended to warp easily. It was a dual truss rod system also which no one recommeded monkeying with yourself, so once a year I had to have the dealer adjust it. The body finish was very deep and long lasting. Strap buttons very good. Rarely broke strings.

Been playing 22 years
A better case (the wooden case was heavy and not very sturdy)
Wouldn't replace it

I BOUGHT THAT BLACK BEAUTY TWO MONTHS AGO FROM MY FRIEND IN VERY GOOD CONDITION (RICK WAS MADE IN 1977 IN U.S.A) BUT SOMEBODY TAKE OF HORSHOE FROM SECOND PICK-UP.PLEASE CAN SOMEBODY TELL ME WHERE CAN I BUY THIS (FOR ME) VERY IMPORTANT PIECE OF EQUIPMENT BECAUSE WITHOUT
HORSHOE RICK IS NOT RICK (I THINK YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN)SERIAL NUMBEROF MY GUITAR IS SA 609.IF SOMEBODY CAN HELP ME MY E-MAIL ADRESS IS
dragecus@yahoo.com.THANK YOU VERY MUCH.DRAGEC FROM CROATIA