• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Incoming Road Warrior 70s Rickenbacker 4001S

#23
Ric5 said:
It looks like it was originally a 4000 bass converted into a 4001.

It also looks like a refin. The black pickguard, the jack plate, and rear strap button look to be not original.

Also the mechanical mute is gone.

The tuners look too new to be original and the tailpiece may be newer as well.
Click to expand...

I was thinking the same. Looks like a set neck and two pots rather than four.

My first Rick was a 4000 and it was beautiful. I read that they were also routed for the neck pickup, so not a big deal to install it.

Wouldn't be identical to a 4001. No capacitor on the bridge pickup for one so it would sound more like a 4003 I guess. A 4003 with a 4000 feel to the neck would be awesome.

Think you will have fun.
 
#27
Ric5 said:
That would be a perfect bass to strip and get an oil finish.

like this one here ...

4003s5-27.jpg
Click to expand...

Blasphemy!
 
#29
Ric5 said:
It looks like it was originally a 4000 bass converted into a 4001.

It also looks like a refin. The black pickguard, the jack plate, and rear strap button look to be not original.

Also the mechanical mute is gone.

The tuners look too new to be original and the tailpiece may be newer as well.
Click to expand...

Was thinking the same thing - here's my soon to be departed '78 4001:

IMAG0209.jpg


IMAG0211.jpg


IMAG0215.jpg


IMAG0212.jpg
 
#31
That's extreme wear!! I don't think I'd go for that bass myself, unless I was going to
get someone to do a refin on it - and tbh, I could pick up a bass that didn't need a
refin quite easily.

Having said that, upon seeing this, you have to like a bass that has seen action and has
genuine wear, rather than being professionally relic'd in the factory. I just don't see the
point of that.
 
#32
maxgrant said:
Look at the truss rod cover -- it very clearly says Rickenbacker 4001.

To me it looks like two of the knobs fell off and were replaced, and the paint is uniformly cracking through because it's really damn old.
Click to expand...

I'm no guru and I could be wrong. But the truss cover may not be original. Or maybe it is.

I wouldn't care anyway. I like the look of the bass.
 
#33
fingerbun said:
I'm no guru and I could be wrong. But the truss cover may not be original. Or maybe it is.

I wouldn't care anyway. I like the look of the bass.
Click to expand...

I just don't know why someone who obviously was a working musician would try to fake the provenance of such a beat-to-**** bass. Also, it really looks like a 4001S to me. That's what the OP says it is. Dots on the board, no rick-o-sound. Go look at some 4000-series bases. The layout of those just can't be converted to a 4001-type layout. There is not enough room for four knobs spaced appropriately. There are dozens of pics on Rickresource.
 
#34
Thanks for all the comments, yea and nay, it's all very interesting!

Maybe a mystery, but I really like it as is and believe that some mutts are the bestest players.

I knew about the changed Jack Plate and Strap Pin moved but what else is a mystery--maybe someone here knows this bass, owned it before or knows who owned/played it? That would be great, to know its history!

Either way, it's a work of art that you can actually play and create music with so I' happy to own it. Or rather, be it's caretaker for a while--one does not really own a bass like that, you just get to share some time with it.
 
#36
theRocco said:
That's great to know, thanks for telling me that! They did ask what kind of strings I wanted with the set-up. It's got Flats on there now that play/sound great but I asked their advise about Rounds. Some old Rics can't take them but this 4001 does have the Shunk Stripe. My only concern is the age/wear of this bass and if he had Flats on there forever and never had Rounds before.

Glad to hear your vote of trust in Ben's set-ups. They did tell me their Luthier knows all the subtleties of Rics and not to worry.
Click to expand...

Flats are the reason it hasn't needed a refret, and old flats sound so awesome! 1/2 of the previous player's soul is in the strings, the rest is in the bass. If there is anyway at all, get those old flats, buy a set of Rotosound 66 every once in a while for a change if you want, but I have a feeling you will keep going back to those flats. Cheers.
 
#37
A ric without any surface flaws IS a beautiful thing,but i have to say i really love this bass!! Its pretty much like my '74 white 4000,altho mine is worn,faded,chipped,etc,nowhere near as bad as this. I like the "real relic" status of this. I would consider a redo only if that Is actually mold...those 3 piece necks are great,too...
I had rw strings on mine,and it was very agressive sounding,but i have had a set of 60's maxima flats on it for several years now-it sounds great with those. Congratulations!
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back