Rickenbacker 4002

I have two (count 'em!) 4002s: a near-perfect, all-original '79 Mapleglo courtesy of Dave Assassin (see his review here) - thanks Dave! - and a heavily-modified '77 mapleglo which has received over the years an extended fretless ebony fingerboard, replacement bridge (Star I think - I hate it), replacement pickguard, pickups and electronics (looks like the previous owner(s) used it as a testbed or something). I plan to restore its looks somewhat with a couple of Seymour Duncan (or Bartolini) Rick replacement pickups, original 4-knob electrics and a different bridge (either an original Rick or the Hipshot replacement).
The Rick bridges are a pain to adjust and the tailpiece tends to pull away from the body over time, but they're integral to the look, so I'd never put a BadAss or suchlike on. I'd like to try one of the new Hipshot direct replacement bridges that keep the look but give you full independent (and accessible) adjustment.

Fantastic rock bass, only used in the studio via a Bass Pod (too valuable to go on the road!). All that bite and rumble, but can be quite warm too. I find it a bit noisy, which is surpising with humbuckers. I might try shielding the cavity sometime.

Being Ricks, they're beautifully built and finished, and about as flexible as a passive bass can be. And the 4002s used beautiful birds-eye maple and checkered binding. Gorgeous is the only word.
The only problem I've had is the pickup selector switch which tends to pop out of bridge-only back into neutral. And one fret buzzes a bit on the G string which is partly because the action is SO low. The neck's great, not had a problem with it needing adjustment. All in all not bad for a 25-year old bass.

Ricks are generally pretty durable but I'd never dare gig with my 4002 as it cost me too much.

Never had dealings with Rickenbacker or distributors so can't comment.

I've always had a love affair with Ricks as so many of my heroes played them (Lemmy, Geddy Lee, Chris Squire, Bruce Foxton...) and I've always thought the shape and balance couldn't be beaten. And apart from a 4004LK, which I know I'll never get my hands on, the 4002 represents the ultimate variation on the theme so far as I'm concerned. Ergonomics are so much better without all the stupid paraphernalia round the bridge pickup on the 4001/3, a one-piece pickguard with all electronics attached that just lifts out, and of course the deluxe woods and finish.
I've played and owned a number of basses of all sorts of different styles (including a Steinberger), but this one would be my desert island bass.

I have a 1979 Rickenbacker 4002 in Walnutglo. The body is highly figured birdseye maple - beautiful - nothing short of beautiful. The fingerboard is dark ebony with smallish mother-of-peal dot fret markers. The body is bound in black and white checkerboard and the headstock in black. The tuners are the original Schallers that are small chrome units - much smaller and lighter than the ones on the other 4000 series bases. The pickups are flush mounted to the pickguard and shifted more to the tailpiece like a jazz bass. Absent are the usual Rickenbacker pole pieces. These pickups are covered with Tolex (like the case) and ringed in chrome. The pickguard is three layers - black on white on black and there is chrome plate around the rear pickup like the other 4000's. The only modification (I am the original owner) is a Badass II in place of the original (very crappy) tailpiece. My Badass was professionally installed by first filling in the mute well with maple that was closely matched to the body grain. This piece fits perfectly in the mute hole. Then the Badass was mounted over it and trimmed with a piece of birdseye maple that was stained to match the burst of the Walnutglo. A single small screw holds it place between the A and D strings. The 4002 has a 21 fret neck instead of the usual 20. It is wired for standard, Rick-o-sound (stereo), and low impedance.

This bass has the usual Rickenbacker sound with a few extras. It is not hindered by the extra tone capacitors found on 1970's vintage 4000's so the bottom is deep and rich. It rings like a piano with roundwounds. I used to use Rotos but have recently switched to DR Highbeams. I play this bass around the house through a small Laney bass amp (BC 75). I have only taken it out on a gig once. It is far too pretty use everyday. There is no noise at any volume or tone settings. It can produce the bright growly tones ala Squire and Lee but it can also make sounds more like a jazz bass or P bass but not quite as chunky. The neck and fingerboard shape fits my hand perfectly. This is the finest sounding Rickenbacker I have ever played. I have owned several Ricks over the past 20 years.

Of course the original tailpiece could not adjust rearward enough for the E string to actually play in tune, enter the Badass II. The finish is high gloss over the rich brown burst that must be seen to be fully appreciated. The headstock has walnut wings and there is the usual walnut stripe down the center. The nut is smoother than most 70's Ricks which can look as though they were cut with a hacksaw. The pickup adjustment is minimal.

I suppose this bass would hold up as well as any other 4000. The tuning pegs are smooth and quite sturdy. The chrome on the pickup bezels is a bit thin and wears out with regular contact. I have worn a small grove through the upper black layer of the pickguard near the front pickup with my thumbnail. The finish is somewhat fragile and scratches easily. The neck is quite stable. I think the ebony fingerboard is more rigid than the rosewood. I don't have to truss it very often.

I had to send it back once to have a truss rod replaced. The Rickenbacker staff were very helpful and the work was done quickly and inexpensively (out of warranty). I understand that Rickenbacker does not do non-warranty work right now because of heavy order volumes. So my experience probably cannot be duplicated today.

I have been playing for 25 years and have several other Ricks. I have also owned a few Fenders over the years. This bass is quite rare so it is unlikely that I will ever find another even if I wanted to have one. I understand that only a few hundred were made. John Hall says that accurate production numbers don't exist but 200 would not be far off the right total. I love it because it is easy on the ears and eyes. The action is great and the neck fits my hand like it was made for me.

1979..made where Ricks are only ever made of course!
All birdseye maple and the 4002 ebony fingerboard.
All original hardwear and pickups.
Cost $3200 Super condition.

I have always played ricks, everything from the 4000 to the 4004, but this is the best I have ever played.

I use the Ashdown (british company out of Trace Elliot) EVO 300 head and their 4x8" cab. No effects.
The Amp gain whopped up full and the blend full over to tube.
basic no fiddling EQ ( I have to fiddle for ages when i use my 4003s)

All the rick sounds are there but more warmth is available.

Used in studio as wella s stage, its my main bass

Its perfect, plays so sweet, no problems anywhere.

Oh yes its durable, everything is built to last, its 24 years old and looks superb.

I do take a back up to gigs but never use it.
In fact since i bought this 4002 I have sold my 4000, 4001 and 4004
giving some other players the chance to play a rick!!

Have dealt directly with Mr Hall no less, personal reply, a nice guy.

Been playing bass since 1978 have owned Fenders, Gibson and many others. Ricks suit me best, playing in a Hawkwind tribute!! (www.assassinsofsilence.com)

I just love my 4002

1983 rickenbacker 4002,all original wiring,pickups,etc,had been removed when i got it used,so i have installed 2 rick seymour duncan pickups,wired passive mode,with coil split options to switch either pickup from humbucker to single coil mode individually. i have heard the original pickups on these weren't too hot;with the seymours,i get a lot of great sounds. the body is all maple,with a 3 peice neck of maple and walnut,with a tobacco sunburst. i would not have chosen to do this,but this was a limited production,and rickenbacker did not have the replacement pickups,plus i opted for simplicity. (it works!)

the celebrated/dreaded rick bass sound is here,but with a more depth and warmth,which i attribute to the fretboard being unlaquered and made of ebony! also i think the neck is a tad deeper than most 4001s i have picked up,it ends up being a rick with more variety of usefulness,but do not try to slap it! it is great for fingerstyle,as well as pick playing. the seymours are very warm and of course it is capable of a very trebly bright sound if you want it.

i have had a little trouble with the neck at first,but now it seems to be very stable. i replaced the rick bridge/saddle with a solid one peice (badass 2 direct replacement),which is the first thing that should be done with ANY RICK BASS, hell even the new 4004s have done away with that PEICE OF CRAP,something rick should have done a long time ago..it is definitely the weak link of the design,but the new bridge works great

very solid-its 20 years old,and a bit beat up,but great!

i have been playing over 20 years,have 5 other basses,several amps and effects,and a keyboard synth. i have always loved rick basses,and would definitely get another as soon as this one went missing. i don't recommend it as an "only" bass, but you could do worse. this is my 3rd or 4th rick over the years,and my favorite so far.

Yes, Toto, there is a 4002. This is not a mis-print. c1982, USA, of course, 21 frets, ebony board instead of usual rosewood, usual Rick construction, but with different pickups. Instead of the traditional Rick bass pickups or the new humbuckers on the 4004, it has two first-generation Rick humbuckers in a Jazz bass configuration, with two volume, two tone, switch, Rick-o-sound and a separate low impedance XLR coming off a tap on the bridge pickup. The wiring diagram is on the Rick website. The neck is more substantial than other Ricks I have played. I bought it used, but mint, in 1993 after a nationwide search for one. Way ahead of its time. I have the issue of Guitar Player magazine where in the new gear section it is listed new for $1600, and this is when you could get a good used Jazz Bass for about $400. I think the color is called Walnutglo (a brown sunburst), with checkerboard binding. Schaller minis keep the 4002 from being neck heavy, and it has rather rounded crown radius.

Rock on, Rock on! It has the Rick growl, but with a slightly different flavor with the different pickups and placement. A little more low midrange oriented due to a mid humbucker placement. It does not slap. In the mix, on my bass you have to cut the 250Hz point 3 to 6 dB depending on your venue. Boost the 1kHz 3dB for a more P-bass tone. Takes a pick well. After much experimentation, it sounds best with GHS Progressives. One drawback: The XLR is worthless. It was a nice try to get a low impedance output before actives became common (remember -- this is 1982. Alembic is still considered cutting edge at this point!), but the output is too low, and there is no low end to speak of since the tap comes off the bridge pickup only. But for the usual high impedance plug and go, rock on!

Bought used. Therefore, I had to do my own setup as it had been set up for the previous owner. Usual superlative Rick quality. I have not had the truss rod problems others have had, but then again, this neck is thicker than other Ricks I have played, I keep the bass in consistent temperature and humidity, and once I found a set of strings that worked that were not too heavy gage, I stuck with it. Once I set the neck for the strings, it has never been touched.

My main gigging bass. Tempting fate, I do not take a backup. I have worn a small spot off the chrome pickup surround of the neck pickup where I plant my thumb, and I have a couple of stupid "turned around and got knocked" places.

People either love Rick or hate it. I thought one pickup went dead, so I called a dealer to get a new pickup. They called Rick and searched all over but could not find one, since it was such a limited edition. I believe John Hall is even quoted on another webpage as saying something like, "The 4002? We didn't make too many of those. They're rare as hen's teeth!" Fortunately, when I got into it, it was just a loose wire. Re-soldered and rock on!

I've played guitar since 1975 and bass since 1976. With my left hand having a curved pinky and a trick thumb, it is more comfortable than a longer scale, wider but shallower neck with flat fingerboard that most others have. However, I may have to relegate it to the studio and get something with fanned frets for live playing to ease the pain after gigging for 3-4 hours at a time. I got lucky in looking for the right amp. I had used an SVT (a real one-not a reissue) since it was made for P-bass and the 4002 has a humbucker in the middle. However, over time, it just did not have the right match for definition. In the mid 90's, Carvin came out with a line of bass amps that had a circuit they called a "clarity" circuit or something like that. It turned out to be a built in 3db broad drop centered at 250Hz, exactly what was needed to match this particular bass. I sometimes drop the 250Hz a tad more with the sweep mid, depending on the mix, set bass and treble to adjust the general characteristics of the room, and have the graphic eq to adjust tones from song to song. With a built in noise gate and compressor, the setup does everything I need it to. 1X15 for a stage monitor, and everything else to the board.

With this bass I am even able to show up to multi-band gigs where you only play one set and don't want to all all your equipment (community, 4th of July, and other festivals), with just my bass and a direct box, tell the tech my preferred eq, and go. You just can't do that with a lot of basses, but more now than you used to with the advances in both construction and technology.

If you rock, and you can find a 4002 for anything less than a king's ransom, hop all over it.