Rickenbacker 4001

My bass is a beautiful Burgundy-glo 1978 Rickenbacker 4001. Like all
Rick 4001's, it is a neck-through-body design with solid maple body wings, two Rickenbacker pickups, two volume knobs, two tone knobs, and a 3 way selector switch. It has a mono output and a "Rick-O-sound" output, which is a stereo output that sends each pickup to a different channel. The burgundy finish is really nice, its a deep red lacquer that you can see the wood grain through. The white trim on mine has yellowed nicely. I've replaced the neck pickup with a Rickenbacker Humbucker. Very good sounding pickups.

I've had this bass for over seven years now, and I bought it from a friend who had it for the five years prior to that. I initially wanted it because I was very into that Yes/Genesis/Van der Graf Generator/Mandrake Memorial/Puzzle art rock thing. I was using DR roundwounds on it through an old Ampeg head and I was in heaven. As my tastes changed, and I started playing in more sedate bands and getting back to my roots a bit, I switched from roundwound to Ernie Ball Chrome Flatwounds. THIS IS THE TONE! Man! People who think it can't get a funky Motown sound don't know what they're doing. Put a set of flats on it and run it flat out with the pickup selector in the middle and you are THERE. Play it with a pick and you sound like McCartney on Sgt. Pepper's. Play it with your fingers and you sound like James Jamerson (that's the Motown bass player, if you're ignorant.) I've used this bass onstage hundreds of times, many studio sessions, I've flown with it to England and back and have never had any doubts about it.

This is an amazing instrument. It was perfectly set up when I bought it, with a Graphite nut, and in all the use I've given it it hasn't strayed from that setup a bit. It is extremely stable; it can tune it at the beginning of a tour and even with the vibration and heat of the van it will still be in tune after several dates. Right after I bought it, the neck pickup died; it had been re-wound by a moron. I replaced it with a Humbucker from rickenbacker and have had no trouble since.

This bass is solid. At first I was worried about the neck - I'd only had removeable necks before and I didn't like the idea that you couldn't replace it. I've played it at hundreds of shows without a backup; even if I break a string the others stay in tune so it's just a matter of finding a creative way to get through the song without that string! The finish is very durable, I've picked up a few chips here and there but each one has a story behind it.

The folks at Rickenbacker are very helpful and knowledgeable about their products. The company has been family owned from the start, so there isn't a big corporation takeover and the associated loss of product continuity like there is with Gibson, Fender, Guild, MXR, hell...just about everyone else except Martin.

I went throug a bunch of other basses before settling down with this one; various Ibanez, a Pedulla, a Washburn, different Fender P and J basses. This one has stayed and is not for sale.

I owned two of these basses, both of which I bought during the big Chris Squire/Yes craze of the early to mid 70's in which every bass player got a Rick, played with a pick, "shagged" his hair, and tried to play complex bass lines (this of course includes me).

I bought them both new in Orlando, Florida. The first one was red with white pickguard, purchased in 1973. The second was black with a white pickguard and was bought in 1975.

The neatest feature was the stereo output. I used a Traynor amp with Sunn 2X15 reflex cabinet for the neck pickup and a Marshall 50W with front loaded Bandmaster cabinet for the bridge pickup.


I think nobody could argue the styling of this bass. It was truly eye catching.

I guess my biggest problem with it was what drew me to it in the first place - its characteristic Geddy Lee or Chris Squire sound.

When I first heard "Roundabout" and "Yours is no Disgrace" in 1971 I KNEW I had to have that sound. It was so cool.

But later, my taste changed to more groove oriented playing a la Motown or J.P.Jones and I found that I couldn't get the warm full bodied sound that a Fender bass is known for. I was playing in a Community College Jazz band and the band director hated it, even going so far as to list me in the program as playing the "Fender Bass". Well it certainly didn't belong in that environment.

I guess I would have to say that I found the tonal possibilities limited.

Both seemed well made to me.

Two major problems here. The 1973 Red one suffered a badly warped neck! On the 1975 black one, the cheap Grover tuning keys (made of pot metal) fell apart. The back plate broke off and since it held the key in place, it fell off. Since they were pot metal, no way to fix.

Maybe the reissues have corrected these problems I had.

Definitely not as robust as a Fender Precision (I've had two of these).

N/A

I've been playing bass since 1969.

Visit my history of Orlando, Florida rock music website at:

www.birdsbands.com

Thanks

This Ricky is an 81 & is an American model. She's a black body with a black scratch plate & no white trim as with most other black models which makes this model somewhat more collectable than others of it's ilk. I chose it for it's somewhat oblique oddity.

It's a fretted 4 string standard with the typical 3 way selector switch for both PU's or just bridge & neck. It has twin tone & volume pots for the individual PU's so you can with a degree of fiddling eek out subtle tonal differences. The bridge PU guard is gone THANK GOD cause who wants it anyway?

Beautiful weight .. not sure on the woods, check other posts on that. It's a Rick you've seen em & drooled. Ofcourse you have the standard input or the classic Rick sound input which I agree with other posters sounds the same as the standard but with this difference - it's just like a way more trebbly input & thats about it. I hate it & never use it.

I have been salivating & searching lightyears for an Ovation Viper solidbody bass & the only bastard who seems to have one is Jah Wobble!

My desire in terms of a bass sound was always to get that Wobble low end distorted rumble. He was using an old precision most of the time anyway so the Ovation only made sense from the angle that I love solid body Ovation ANYTHING & collect them & have two electrics soooo.

Finally I was in store one day & saw the Rick & thought ... thats it lets try it out. It was the sweetest thing I've ever played & really had a beautiful tone. Theres something amazing about playing a quality instrument & this was just magic.

It gives off a funny little bit of noise which I seem to think is an earthing thing to do with the pickups. I recall Chris Squire from YES had the same thing with his Rick when recording BIG GENERATOR, it seems to be a Rick thing. I found the only way to get rid of it was to roll off the treb or EQ it.

This bass actually to me has a DARK sound & I think thats what attracted me to it so much. I know Matlock used a red Ricky 4001 for the early recordings in the Sex Pistols & I've always loved that fat dark Punk bottom end. This bass draws a very long bow though & will give you equally bright stuff if thats what you want.

I have used this bass for mic'd recordings through an amp onto hard disk & it translates as fat as anything. I haven't used it live as I am a guitarist anyway but I wish my bass player to be a Ricky player when next I am gigging.

I really can't fault this beautiful instrument, I won't need another bass for the rest of my life ... I mean it!

2nd hand bass .... but man ... flawless really.

This Bass will stand the test of time ... no problems here.

Never dealt with them & with most GREAT products I probably will NEVER have to.

I've been playing for 12 years & own a slew of amps, guitars, weird electronics, theremins etc etc.

The case was beaten to shit so thats to be remedied in future.
It won't be stolen or lost I guarantee that much!!!!!
I'd buy another one for sure though.
My fave feature is the big horn on it that you can pretty much pick it up by. I also love that it has the rarity of being all black & featureless but for the silver fittings.
Beautiful bass ... never looked back.

Although the guy at the store swears it is a '74, the serial number says its an '81, I think I'll believe the serial number. It has two pickups, each with its own volume and tone knobs, and a stereo output. By far the coolest feature on mine is the bridge, it has "BAD ASS" engraved into it.

My band plays a lot of classic rock stuff and this bass is awesome. I have an Ampeg half stack (it so old the model number has worn off) and use a Dano Fab Tone distortion pedal and Surf and Turf Compressor on occasion. I use it for our everything, I'm almost tempted to sell off my other basses

The action was just right when i bought it, but since i bought it used it looks like its been through a war, the finish on the back of the neck is gone, the back is very scratched and there are chips in the paint on the front.

Like I said, the thing has been through a war, I've even had it fall over a few times and it's still fine, no backup required.

This is the greatest bass I have ever had the priveledge of playing, let alone owning.

You got to love Rick's. My new toy is a 1974-76 4001 purchased at Gruhn's guitars in Nashville (a great store). Mapleglo (natural) finish on maple body, 33 5/8 inch scale (very odd), cream binding on neck and body, two single coil pickups, two volumes, two tones, STOCK PICKUP SELECTOR SWITCH-THANK YOU GOD, stereo input jack, and its neck through My only gripe is that the straplock buttons are too small for the staps I have, I need to buy some straplock buttons fast Came with a hardshell case

Holy christ, this bass sounds good. The pickups sound similar, but who cares, I've been running it through a piece of crap Ibanez 15 watt amp, and I'm convinced this bass would sound good through anyting

Couldn't tell you about the facotory set-up since the bass is older than I am, but it came from the store fine, the ony mar on this bass is a little belt-buckle wear on the back, but nobody else is gonna see that

I haven't played this bass live yet, but I think it would stand up to alot, though I don't plan on finding out how much is alot, though the strap buttons suck

won't need to deal with the company

I LOVE THIS BASS, this is the only four string I will ever need, but one question, why does everyone bitch about the rear pickup cover? I think its the best thumbrest you could ask for.

Mid-70's 4001 (don't know exact year) classic 4-string with pretty honey maple finish, white binding and pickguard, triangle inlays, same standard hardware and specs as in the previous 4001 submissions, etc. - no modifications. Hardshell case somewhat banged up, but bass in fine shape for its age (bought used in 1986). Famous Rick "character" (great quality and style along with the usual quirks).

I play through a Peavey Combo, with no effects. Distinctive and versatile sound, though the contemporary gospel and standard rock/pop/country I play doesn't really display its true character as does pick-happy progressive rock. Great piano-like bottom, but the unique trebly sound is available when you really need to cut through the clutter. Choice of strings is a big factor in getting the sound you really want, so experiment with various flavors before making up your mind on a 4001/4003.

Fortunately, the action and intonation were set just just right for me years ago and has stayed that way -- and I have been easy on this bass. After reading some other comments on the dual truss rods, I'd rather NOT have to mess with them anyway. Nice finish and detailing holds up even now, revealing a quality instrument when first built. My Rick still turns heads and brings out positive comments from all, including from other bass players. No major flaws, but I have to agree with others on the silly plate over the pickup -- taken off long ago! Thank goodness it was easy to remove.

Don't know about durability and frequency of adjustments, since I have been so careful with this bass, but the build quality and heft sure beats a lot of other new instruments out there. Strap buttons only so-so, but easy to replace with something better. Finish is still rich and glossy with no cracking -- but as the 4001CS owner stated, does seem to slow playability at the back of the neck.

N/A

Been playing bass on and off since late 70s. Previously owned a Gibson EB-0L (ugh), have since bought a new Washburn XB (ok) and Carvin AC40 (very nice). The 4001 is not perfect, but I know I would instantly regret the day I ever got rid of it. Fortunately, having a nice, trouble-free used sample has influenced my opinion favorably. Shop carefully, make sure the one you like has no problems and is adjusted correctly, and you too will be a proud owner. (Thanks to all the other 4001/4003 owners for their informative and insightful submissions!)

This U.S.-made Rickenbacker electric bass is a 1974 4001 in Jet-Glo finish (black) with white binding. Two proprietary Rickenbacker pickups, each with its own volume and tone control, three-way selector switch, mono and stereo outputs, a very solid chrome tailpiece and a built-in string damper. The construction is neck-through-body, and the instrument is very nicely balanced.

This is a very versatile bass. I play rock, from pop to punk and everything in between, and the Rickenbacker sounds great at all times. I keep the pickup selector in the middle (both PUs on), and the volume and tone maxed. Played with the fingers, the bass produces rich, warm tones; pick playing brings out the classic Rickenbacker sound -- deep, solid, tight bottom end topped off by aggressive treble that gives this bass real personality. In a recording setting (home studio) it can produce a bit of high-pitched hum, but this hasn't been a problem yet.

I bought this 1974 bass used in 1987, and it was set up just about perfectly. It's since gone through some lengthy dormant periods, but it's also seen plenty of action. The intonation is still almost perfect; the pots are starting to get noisy, but nothing a good cleaning won't fix. The finish seems durable, although I have always been VERY careful with this bass -- it's my pride and joy. The frets and fingerboard still look and feel new, even after 26 years, and the action is light and clean all over the neck.

I wouldn't hesitate to take this bass just about anywhere. It's almost immune to temperature change -- it seems to have its mind made up that it will stay in tune no matter what. The hardware is beefy and heavy -- very confidence-inspiring. I would use it with no backup. I'll rate it at nine rather than 10, though, because I am extremely careful with it. Someone who treats instruments a little more roughly might have different results.

Never had to deal with the company. Haven't needed any repairs I couldn't do myself.

I've been playing guitar for about 30 years, and bass for 20. My other instruments include an early '60s Harmony Meteor (the "You Really Got Me" guitar, according to Dave Davies), a late '70s Peavey T-60, and an ancient Raven short-scale J-bass copy, modified by me with Bill Lawrence electrics, that I played in a couple of swing bands in the '80s. I have to admit that a big part of what led me to seek out a Rickenbacker was the "coolness" factor, in sound and appearance. But this bass has come through with performance to match its style. If I ever lost it, I would not rest until I had found another!

This is the most popular Rickenbacker bass ever. a 1974 Rickenbacker 4001. Rickenbacker may have stopped production on them in 1981, but you still see many of them in shops and on eBay. The main difference between this ad the current 4003 is the neck, which requires a lighter tension string, which means a very light round-wound or flat-would strings, as the instrument was intended for use with; due to the original twin double-truss rods (that's 2 double-rods-a double rod is like the "Hot Rod" truss rod in the Stewart MacDonald catalog). Everything else is similar to the Rick 4003--but not quite the same. 20 fret neck, mother of pear inlays, heavily finished neck, 2 Rickenbacker high-gain pickups. Two Volume, and two tone controls, with a 3-way switch, and an adjustable bridge/tailpeice with an adjustable string mute. Neck-through-body construction, with maple and walnut laminates. Stereo (Rick-O-Sound) or mono input. Crafted in July 1974 in Santa Ana, California. Hardshell case is included, but it's a bit beat up.

I play rock of all kinds. I do alot of playing as a hobby, I've only been using a Dean Markley K-20B with this bass, I'm going to get a Hartke B60 combo soon. I use no effects, I don't really see the need, all the tone I want is there. I use the great big bridge pickup, with the tone all the way down, and have most amps with a 3-band EQ set with high treble and midrange, and the bass somewhere in the middle, and the volume all the way up, the result, is bass you can FEEL just as good as, or possibly better than you can HEAR it. I just love the way it sounds like this. Also, I believe the wiring was messed with, because the neck pickup sounds like crap (lots of static), I'm gonna get that looked at soon.

I consider myself this bass' idea of a retirement. I'm a guitar player who occaisionally likes to pick up a bass and peel the paint off the walls. I bought this bass for fun and for recording purposes. For being almost 26 years old, this bass is in good shape, just some wear on the back, and a little cracking on the front, the action is practically perfect, I set it up myself, and did a little fix on the mute, which I plan to do proper, soon. I think this bad boy is in very good shape for its age, solid, except for the finish.

This bass has been through hell. I'm sure it's seen live playing, recording, and possibly even some Dead (Grateful Dead, that is) playing. I'm sure if I was to bring it out for a gig, it would fare just fine. The finish hasn't gotten worse, since I've had it, so I guess it's just years (and years and years) of use. I have only adjusted the truss rods once, and I haven't had to again. I'd definately use this without a backup, if I was a bass player.

Rickenbacker recently has made the factory open to repairs and setups, but it's very costly. The guitar is 5 years older than I am. The warranty has been long expired. Above all this, my hobby is guitar repair, and I have some good friends who are techs. I don't see any worries for me.

I've been dabbling in bass on and off for ages. I've been playing guitar for about 5 years. I've owned numerous guitars, currently, the main guitar is a Rickenbacker 360 6-string. The feel of this bass is great, not too heavy, but you can tell you're playing a serious instrument. I used to own a P-Bass copy and I've tried many a P-Bass type instrument. No comparing this to one of them. I plan to never to take this out of the house, so I doubt much bad will happen to it. If you can get a deal on one of these, pick it up. It's worth it.