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Definitive list of Lemmy's basses

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.

  • 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
Rickenbacker 4003
Quilted – no skunk stripe – 2 piece pickguard
  • 1984 First appearance
  • 1995 Appears in Sacrifice video
Out to Lunch Bass

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.
Rickenbacker 4004LK

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.
Miscellaneous basses

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.
 
Last edited:
The 4003 you have listed would be a 4001 if it first appeared in '79.

Hey Gluvhand thanks for your reply.

What made you think it's a 4001? I double checked the pic's I have but still can't tell for certain.

The black screws on a black pickguard aren't easy to see. In the second image you can see the 2 piece guard so my thoughts are a 4003.

I've uploaded two photos to show what I mean. I'm lead to believe this is the same bass in both pictures. Unless someone tells me otherwise!

bass-ric-mg.jpg bass-ric-mg4003.jpg
 
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Hey Gluvhand thanks for your reply.

What made you think it's a 4001? I double checked the pic's I have but still can't tell for certain.

The black screws on a black pickguard aren't easy to see. In the second image you can see the 2 piece guard so my thoughts are a 4003.

I've uploaded two photos to show what I mean. I'm lead to believe this is the same bass in both pictures. Unless someone tells me otherwise!

View attachment 3227027 View attachment 3227028
4003's weren't released until the early 80's.
 
Hi Gluvhand :)

You mean everything louder than everyone else, right?

Yes! :D

Actually Lemmy was quiet a gearhead! And he loved to talk about his stuff!

Back in the 90s I worked backstage on 3 Motörhead gigs.

The "loud and louder" gag?

There was a journalist asking him questions about his rig, after the show.

Of course I stopped working to listen. (can' t remember what I did :wacky: but I wanted to know)

Lemmy was cool and answered all kind of questions, concerning his gear.

At the end of the interview, the journalist asked him: "So, Lemmy which of your sounds do you like the most"

And Lemmy said: "Man, I like them both! Loud and louder" :laugh:


greetings

Wise

btw: check out "Phil Campbell and the Bastard sons"! Saw them in may! Tight band!

P.S. Sorry!!! :sorry: I don' t want to derail this thread. But Lemmy is just :hyper:!
 
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.

  • 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 4003

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 Black binding added
  • 1984 Now looks quilted (could be a second 4003)
  • 1993 Returns with white body, black pickguard
  • 1995 Sacrifice video – looks quilted.
Out to Lunch Bass

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.
Rickenbacker 4004LK

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.
Miscellaneous basses

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
  • 2014/15 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.
Dude seriously, that's a great list but is missing one important thing.......PICTURES!!!! :woot:
 
Anyone have any hawkwind gear insights?

From my research as far as I can tell. Lemmy used the bass of Dave Anderson for the first time in August 1971.
I haven't seen any photos of that particular bass. He had to then return it back to Anderson eventually.

Lemmy then got his own Hopf bass which is a bit like a Gibson EB. Some have said this bass was stolen but I can't find the original interviews to verify that.

In any case, Lem then moved onto the Ric 4000 and modified it as mentioned in my post. You'll also notice towards the end of his stint in Hawkwind he used a Thunderbird II.

Hope that helps ;)
 
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The black screws on a black pickguard aren't easy to see. In the second image you can see the 2 piece guard so my thoughts are a 4003.
View attachment 3227027 View attachment 3227028

I'm pretty sure the 4003 was sold in '79 alongside the 4001. Paul Boyer's book would be the place to check, but as I'm not home I can't do that ATM - will check later, unless someone else chimes in w/the data first.

That bass in the photo appears to be a 4003. AFAIK, the 4001 never had the two piece pickguard. There are some 4003 basses w/S serial numbers, which indicates 1979. (You can seem them on the rickresource page.)

GT
 
4003's weren't released until the early 80's.


Invalid Link Removed
This bass is the improved version of the 4001 model. The improved 4003 truss rods in neck are designed for use with round wound strings.
Features: Invalid Link Removed, improved truss rod design, truss rod adjustment at body, triangle inlays, bound body, bound fingerboard, mono and stereo output, Grover sealed back machine heads.
1980 - Introduced (replaced the 4001 model)
1982 to 1983 Rickenbacker B Series of Fireglo colors (three-color sunburst finish: black/red/yellow)
1983 - Schaller BMC chrome machine heads replaced Grover sealed back machine heads
1985(1984?) - One piece pickguard replaces two-piece pickguard
1985 (1984?) - Invalid Link Removed
1985(1984?) - Truss rod adjustment changed to headstock end
1988/1989 - Bridge pickup capacitor removed and replaced with a shunt.
1995 - Schaller strap lock system replaces standard strap buttons.
1999 - Currently still in production
Invalid Link Removed
Invalid Link Removed

 
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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.

  • 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 4003

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 Black binding added
  • 1984 Now looks quilted (could be a second 4003)
  • 1993 Returns with white body, black pickguard
  • 1995 Sacrifice video – looks quilted.
Out to Lunch Bass

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.
Rickenbacker 4004LK

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.
Miscellaneous basses

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
  • 2014/15 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.

I'm not a huge Lenmy or Ric fan. But that's some great work and info for those who are.