Comprehensive Rickenbacker Bass Buying Guide

[Picton]

Been watching this thread since I'd like to add one to my stable. This comment concerns me - and it's not just Ric, the other makers all seem to have their moments of doubt and pain. With so few shops left around that have them to handle, it's a crap-shoot to close your eyes and click hoping you get a "good one".

I bought used, for partly that reason. And because it’s Azureglo, my favorite Rick color, long since discontinued. A trustworthy seller will disclose everything and let you make the call, and mine was excellent.

Learn what frequent flaws to ask about and request pics of, and you’ll do all right. Any reputable seller, new or used, should accommodate those requests; if they don’t, move along.

 

[Gunga Din]

I also have a 73 4001S, I bought her brand new, even helped unload the truck it was on, this let me choose my color, yup Fireglo! And you are right they were scarce, every other store was 12 to 18 months. I got lucky that Ray Mullins Music had 8-4001S's coming in that day. And yes I still have her. And no, she is not for sale!!!

I had a black 4001S-8 in the '80s. Absolute nightmare for intonation.

 

[basmansam]

I also have a 73 4001S, I bought her brand new, even helped unload the truck it was on, this let me choose my color, yup Fireglo! And you are right they were scarce, every other store was 12 to 18 months. I got lucky that Ray Mullins Music had 8-4001S's coming in that day. And yes I still have her. And no, she is not for sale!!!

Can you post a photo of your ‘73 4001S? Is it neck thru or set neck? I have an ‘82 that’s a set net, my favorite bass.

 

[Stugilliam]

Can you post a photo of your ‘73 4001S? Is it neck thru or set neck? I have an ‘82 that’s a set net, my favorite bass.

She is a neck thru, you know, I just looked in pictures and I don't have any in this kindle, and the last pic's that I took of her was on film, it's been a long time. BUT, if it will quit raining! I need to do just that, give me a day or two! But, she is all stock again, I am glad that I saved every part that I changed out on her! I just found you guy's today.

 

[Stugilliam]

She is a neck thru, you know, I just looked in pictures and I don't have any in this kindle, and the last pic's that I took of her was on film, it's been a long time. BUT, if it will quit raining! I need to do just that, give me a day or two! But, she is all stock again, I am glad that I saved every part that I changed out on her! I just found you guy's today.

All righty then, well I took some pics of Ricky lets see if I can get them here for ya

 

[PaulCISSA]

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All righty then, well I took some pics of Ricky lets see if I can get them here for ya

Oh my.....I'm stunned. That's beautiful.

 

[Jeff Scott]

Very nice. But, that's not a S, it's a "bog standard" 4001, and probably from '72, not '73, IIRC (assuming the finger rest is stock from the factory).

 

[nixdad]

I had a black 4001S-8 in the '80s. Absolute nightmare for intonation.

Did the strings rattle together as well?

 

[Stugilliam]

My bad, June 1972, LF, standard and RickO Sound jacks, doesn't the stereo jack make her a S ? Please correct me! I am a old dude now, I just play the darn thing. Did you see my fingerprint on the picture to confirm that she is mine? LOL!

 

[Stugilliam]

Thank you sir, she has been played thousands of times or more, but I was very protective about her, she wore a badass bridge most of her life, the original one, it was the only one they made then. She also had six or seven different pup's in the bridge position. She is all stock now, she even has flats on her because the frets have been dressed just a few times!!

Oh my.....I'm stunned. That's beautiful.

n

 

[Stugilliam]

Oh my.....I'm stunned. That's beautiful.

Thank you Paul!

 

[Jeff Scott]

..doesn't the stereo jack make her a S ?

ROS is on the 4001 (disregarding more current models, for this discussion), the S models were mono (except for a couple of anomalies that are out there). S has been referred to as meaning Special, or more likely, Standard, as the 4001 is the Deluxe model. Think of the S as meaning simplified, as far as features go (binding, fingerboard inlays, ROS vs. mono outputs, etc.).

 

[Stugilliam]

ROS is on the 4001 (disregarding more current models, for this discussion), the S models were mono (except for a couple of anomalies that are out there). S has been referred to as meaning Special, or more likely, Standard, as the 4001 is the Deluxe model. Think of the S as meaning simplified, as far as features go (binding, fingerboard inlays, ROS vs. mono outputs, etc.).

THank you Jeff, I did not know that, and I have owned her since 1972. Are you, per chance, the King of Ricks around here? I am just a old bassist counting my brain cells, I thoroughly enjoyed to 60's,70's and half of the 80's. Thanks for straightening it out for me!

 

[rickdog]

THank you Jeff, I did not know that, and I have owned her since 1972. Are you, per chance, the King of Ricks around here? I am just a old bassist counting my brain cells, I thoroughly enjoyed to 60's,70's and half of the 80's. Thanks for straightening it out for me!

Not sure we go in for royalty around here, but certainly Jeff is one of the people we look to for his experience and knowledge. Also, you should check out @PaulBoyer's book for more information (and lots of great pictures)

Your bass is in beautiful condition! Mine is November '72, very similar but not quite as carefully kept. That was a really great era for the 4001.

 

[Jeff Scott]

Are you, per chance, the King of Ricks around here?

More like Court Jester, really.

 

[PaulCISSA]

More like Court Jester, really.

Wicked sense of humor required on this forum!

 

[Ironbar]

I own a Rickenbacker 4003w made this year. One thing to note about the Walnut Rickenbacker is that Walnut is a lighter wood than maple and therefore it suffers from neck dive. I've managed to alleviate this by looping an extra long guitar strap extension through and under my belt in the small of my back. another thing of note is that the neck profile on the 4003w seems to be a slimmer profile than on a standard Rick. Plus the satin finish is so smooth that I can't imagine going to a gloss finish again.

 

[Stugilliam]

Wicked sense of humor required on this forum!

No thanks, I already got one!

 

[Stugilliam]

Not sure we go in for royalty around here, but certainly Jeff is one of the people we look to for his experience and knowledge. Also, you should check out @PaulBoyer's book for more information (and lots of great pictures)

Your bass is in beautiful condition! Mine is November '72, very similar but not quite as carefully kept. That was a really great era for the 4001.

I made a pact a long time ago, that I would take really good care of the Ric and I would be the one to get wrecked!

 

[Jimruth]

Thank you sir, she has been played thousands of times or more, but I was very protective about her, she wore a badass bridge most of her life, the original one, it was the only one they made then. She also had six or seven different pup's in the bridge position. She is all stock now, she even has flats on her because the frets have been dressed just a few times!!

n

Can you tell us what you had to do to restore the original bridge? On my 4001, the BadAss bridge required some routing of the body underneath. I’m eager to hear what’s involved. Thanks!