JPJ with a Rickenbacker?

[BC8705]

Look at the picture in this video and look to the left at John Paul Jones. It looks like he is playing a Rickenbacker 4005. Robert's hand is covering up the headstock but the pickguard/control panel would lead one to believe its a Ric. If it is indeed one, than I wonder what the story behind it is?

 

[BC8705]

He broke a string and borrowed from it someone for a few songs? I still am a bit puzzled when I see it. Insight anyone?

 

[TheBasicBassist]

It is indeed a Ric. Gorgeous bass. My friend owned one for awhile before trading it in to Rudy's in NYC for a 60's Fender Bass VI.

 

[BC8705]

I also wonder if he might have gotten it around the time Zeppelin got their Transonic Amps. Its weird because I've never read anything mentioning John Paul Jones with a Rickenbacker bass. Wish I could ask him the story behind it

 

[LedZepmann]

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This same experimental Ric bass is now in the Rickenbacker Museum:

The "Experimental 4001s". This prototype bass was used on-stage by John Paul Jones with Led Zeppelin in early 1969. Perhaps Jones was "field-testing" the model for the company?

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The bridge of the experimental 4001s. Note the slice of pickguard acting as a shim underneath the bridge. This is done to correct an improper neck angle.

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"Lucky me, plucking around on the Experimental 4001s. It has the original Maxima flatwound strings on it. It remains to be seen if being in contact with John Paul Jones' DNA has given me any semblance of his superhuman bass skill."

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[RickC]

Was this a production model? Did they ever re-issue it? I'm feeling some rick-gas coming on

 

[LedZepmann]

Never went to production - experimental only

 

[LedZepmann]

Also, the photo of Jonesy playing this bass was taken at the Grande Ballroom in Detroit