New Model Rickenbacker Bass!?!

[sleddogn]

yes, i'm tired of the crazy premium on cool colors

 

[Gunga Din]

Are they gonna bring back Transonic amps as well ?

And the 4002

 

[Isaac_James]

Maybe something like one of these:

View attachment 7454605

That dark red one with the black PG (and hardware?), third from the front, is calling my name. I have a thing for that particular color scheme. Imagine how nice it would look there on the hook next to the Telecaster...

 

[steve_ss]

That dark red one with the black PG (and hardware?), third from the front, is calling my name. I have a thing for that particular color scheme. Imagine how nice it would look there on the hook next to the Telecaster...
View attachment 7454654

That would be this one: 2022 Ruby 4030 from Willcutt's special run.

 

[Isaac_James]

That would be this one: 2022 Ruby 4030 from Willcutt's special run.
View attachment 7454676

Spiffy! And almost certainly well out of my price range. Oh well, the Walnut one I have is pretty too in its own way.

 

[sleddogn]

I really wanted a red one of those willcutt one's, just didn't have the funds when they were available, what sucks is, i live less than a mile from willcutt and really was sad, lol

 

[steve_ss]

Spiffy! And almost certainly well out of my price range. Oh well, the Walnut one I have is pretty too in its own way.

My walnut is the fourth from the right. It was my first Ric.

 

[steve_ss]

No and no. This isn't planned as a limited edition. Also, don't expect a price tag that breaks the bank.

Any idea when they go on sale and who is selling them?

 

[Gunga Din]

That would be this one: 2022 Ruby 4030 from Willcutt's special run.
View attachment 7454676

I hate to say it, but they look like Chickenbackers.

 

[nixdad]

Any idea when they go on sale and who is selling them?

Hey Steve -
First answer: Your best bet is to keep an eye on Rickenbacker's social media including Instagram and Facebook.
Second Answer: There are plenty of Ric enthusiasts here who constantly watch this stuff and love to share the latest news with everyone in this group. Nowww, I don't personally know anyone who matches that description, however, I'm certain they exist.

 

[woodyng2]

I hate to say it, but they look like Chickenbackers.

I don’t like the short scale or bridge position, but these actually LOOK superbly made, and of a quality that can’t begin to be compared to the Chinese crap.

 

[Gunga Din]

I don’t like the short scale or bridge position, but these actually LOOK superbly made, and of a quality that can’t begin to be compared to the Chinese crap.

Well, obvs the build will be light years away from RIC quality, but as personal POV, I don't like the aesthetic. The fingerboard looks rather wide, too. Anyway, it's a new model, so I suppose that's something. Then again, with the 4005 being reissued, I'd love to see the 4002 reissued, along with a period-correct V63.

 

[dje31]

Well, obvs the build will be light years away from RIC quality, but as personal POV, I don't like the aesthetic. The fingerboard looks rather wide, too. Anyway, it's a new model, so I suppose that's something. Then again, with the 4005 being reissued, I'd love to see the 4002 reissued, along with a period-correct V63.

I'd be all over a 4001/3 RM1999 reissue. It's long overdue, right? RIGHT?!

 

[Gunga Din]

I'd be all over a 4001/3 RM1999 reissue. It's long overdue, right? RIGHT?!

Absolutely.

Remember that special run RM1999 for the Japanese market, back around 2009? That's what I'd settle for.

I have 2024 4001S with V63 conversion, and a Harry White C64, but they're not an RM1999.

Special run.

 

[fhqwhgads_2113]

I'd love to see the 4002 reissued

I would also love this, but the question is HOW would they do it? For anyone who doesn't know the 4002 was a very different and very unique instrument. Outwardly it's not hard, just a matter of new pickguards and a new setting on the CNC for the pickups, but it's under the pickguard where things get tricky.

There's basically no way they could do a "true" reissue, unless it was a limited release of 10 or fewer and I don't even want to imagine how much one would cost.

For a wider release what do you do? Try to tap into the original intent and use the modern alternative: active electronics? I'm not sure how that would go over with the Rickenbacker fan base (myself included).

My biased opinion is that simply using the HB1 humbuckers with their normal wiring would be awesome. It would look exactly like the original 4002 (minus the XLR) but have a distinct sound that sounds great but still uniquely Ric. I can vouch to that because I made my main bass with the same pickup positions as the 4002 (basically the same as a jazz bass) and put HB1s in it. It's in my profile pic. It doesn't sound exactly like a 4001/3/4 but it sounds more like those than it does a jazz bass. Does it sound similar to how the original 4002 supposedly sounded? I don't think so, not from what I've read, but 4002s are so rare that hardly anyone is actually familiar with what they DID sound like.

 

[woodyng2]

I would also love this, but the question is HOW would they do it? For anyone who doesn't know the 4002 was a very different and very unique instrument.
My biased opinion is that simply using the HB1 humbuckers with their normal wiring would be awesome. It would look exactly like the original 4002 (minus the XLR) but have a distinct sound that sounds great but still uniquely Ric. I can vouch to that because I made my main bass with the same pickup positions as the 4002 (basically the same as a jazz bass) and put HB1s in it. It's in my profile pic. It doesn't sound exactly like a 4001/3/4 but it sounds more like those than it does a jazz bass. Does it sound similar to how the original 4002 supposedly sounded? I don't think so, not from what I've read, but 4002s are so rare that hardly anyone is actually familiar with what they DID sound like.

RIC has issued a few 4002 variants in recent years, some with hb1 pickups. I think that the pickup positions are more important than whatever pickups are used. I had a customised Laredo that had the 4002 pickup positions. It had hb1 pups that were wired for individual coil shorting, and there was a great variety of tones available with that basic setup.
I had previously done something similar with a real 4002 that came to me with seymour duncan Rick replacement pups, also wired for coil shorting. That was what got me started on that sound.
I personally really liked the “S” version 4002 they made a few of, but what I think would be the supreme version of a 4002 would be basically a Cheyenne i or ii with the 4002 positions.
I don’t have any interest in Rickenbackers with binding or that anachronistic bridge. I’m not that crazy about the 4002 pickguard shape either.

 

[Gunga Din]

RIC has issued a few 4002 variants in recent years, some with hb1 pickups. I think that the pickup positions are more important than whatever pickups are used. I had a customised Laredo that had the 4002 pickup positions. It had hb1 pups that were wired for individual coil shorting, and there was a great variety of tones available with that basic setup.
I had previously done something similar with a real 4002 that came to me with seymour duncan Rick replacement pups, also wired for coil shorting. That was what got me started on that sound.
I personally really liked the “S” version 4002 they made a few of, but what I think would be the supreme version of a 4002 would be basically a Cheyenne i or ii with the 4002 positions.
I don’t have any interest in Rickenbackers with binding or that anachronistic bridge. I’m not that crazy about the 4002 pickguard shape either.
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That Amber Honeyglo dot 4002 is an absolute darling!! Ebony board, or Richlite?

 

[Gunga Din]

Here's a very good reason to release a run of the 4002.

 

[woodyng2]

That Amber Honeyglo dot 4002 is an absolute darling!! Ebony board, or Richlite?

I don’t know for sure, but I imagine it’s Richlite. RIC Has been using that a lot in recent years.
And it really looks fantastic on every instrument I’ve seen it used on. This AH 4002 is stunning

 

[fhqwhgads_2113]

RIC has issued a few 4002 variants in recent years, some with hb1 pickups. I think that the pickup positions are more important than whatever pickups are used. I had a customised Laredo that had the 4002 pickup positions. It had hb1 pups that were wired for individual coil shorting, and there was a great variety of tones available with that basic setup.
I had previously done something similar with a real 4002 that came to me with seymour duncan Rick replacement pups, also wired for coil shorting. That was what got me started on that sound.
I personally really liked the “S” version 4002 they made a few of, but what I think would be the supreme version of a 4002 would be basically a Cheyenne i or ii with the 4002 positions.
I don’t have any interest in Rickenbackers with binding or that anachronistic bridge. I’m not that crazy about the 4002 pickguard shape either.
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I didn't realize they had done some reissues, those look cool. I agree with most everything you said, it sounds like you and have similar taste. That being said, I am VERY interested to see what happens with those 4002 wings that were posted to Instagram yesterday