Hey guys,
I been doing some research on Lemmy and trying to take inventory of every bass and amp we've seen him play on (In Motorhead).
Here's my definitive list. I don't think any is missing but if you know otherwise let know and I'll add it.
There was a post from 2016 but the pictures are broken and I thought I could improve upon the info there.
Rickenbacker 4000
A heavily modded 4000 with a Thunderbird pickup and string trees. This bass was constantly getting new hardware and stickers added to it. It could be mistaken for a new bass completely.
Rickenbacker 4001
Mostly known as the "Ace of Spades" bass. Originally a white 4003 with black binding and seen on the videos. Motorhead, Overkill, No Class, Capricorn, Bomber, Dead Men Tell No Tales, Poison,
Quilted – no skunk stripe – 2 piece pickguard
The bass with some controversy as it's not entirely sure if it is an authentic Rickenbacker.
Lemmy's custom Rickenbacker first seen in mid 1995 and used until his death.
Basses that Lemmy has been seen to use on stage or in the studio but not a "main number 1 bass".
Did I miss anything? If you're interested in the amplifier list let me know and I'll continue the post.
I been doing some research on Lemmy and trying to take inventory of every bass and amp we've seen him play on (In Motorhead).
Here's my definitive list. I don't think any is missing but if you know otherwise let know and I'll add it.
There was a post from 2016 but the pictures are broken and I thought I could improve upon the info there.
Rickenbacker 4000
A heavily modded 4000 with a Thunderbird pickup and string trees. This bass was constantly getting new hardware and stickers added to it. It could be mistaken for a new bass completely.
- 1976 first seen
- 1981 – "Kiss my ass" decal added
- 1987 - Chrome pickguard added
- 1991 – Circular string trees and Bartolini pickups added. Also cleaned up fingerboard.
- 1995 – new decal "Motherf**ker 1" with Thunderbird pickup and Wolfsangel sticker on body
- 1996 - Seen on tour
- 2009 – Seen in Rickenbacker factory tour
Rickenbacker 4001
Mostly known as the "Ace of Spades" bass. Originally a white 4003 with black binding and seen on the videos. Motorhead, Overkill, No Class, Capricorn, Bomber, Dead Men Tell No Tales, Poison,
- 1979 First appears
- 1980 Dimarzio pickup added
- 1982 Seen on tour
- 1993 Returns with white body, black pickguard
Quilted – no skunk stripe – 2 piece pickguard
- 1984 First appearance
- 1995 Appears in Sacrifice video
The bass with some controversy as it's not entirely sure if it is an authentic Rickenbacker.
- 1981 first appearance with "Born To Lose Out To Lunch" decal
- 1983 Seen on music videos One Track Mind, Shine, I Got Mine
- 1984 Seen on BBC's The Young ones with Iron Cross inlays
- 1985 White binding added
- 1987 Chrome guard added
- 1988 Iron Cross on the body added
- 1989/90 Input jack moved to the front
- 1992 Seen with stars on the fretboard 1st time
- 1993 Seen with more stars and looks how we know it today.
- 2003 Seen on stage as a back up.
Lemmy's custom Rickenbacker first seen in mid 1995 and used until his death.
- 1995 Introduced
- 2005 Not used this year, replaced with the Golden Eagle Ric until 2006
- 2006-2015 – Used exclusively.
Basses that Lemmy has been seen to use on stage or in the studio but not a "main number 1 bass".
- 1979 recording "Bomber" 5 string bass (unnamed according to Motorhead in the studio book)
- 1979 Hagström H8 on Top of the pops
- 1981 Black 4003 - Please don't touch video.
- 1982 Washburn B20
- 1987 – Thunderbird 2
- 1989 – Thunderbird 4
- 1995/96 – Rickenbacker 4003 Orange bass
- 2002 Tobacco 4003 in the Brave New World video
- 2004/05 Custom Rickenbacker Golden Eagle
- 2010 Red 4003 with Dave Grohl on "Run Rudolph Run"
- 2014 Burns Bison
- 2014 Gibson SG
- 2014/15 Minarik Inferno
- 2014/15 Minarik "Lemmy signature" Medusa
Did I miss anything? If you're interested in the amplifier list let me know and I'll continue the post.
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but I wanted to know)
I don' t want to derail this thread. But Lemmy is just 