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Rickenbacker 4000 series?

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by RicPlaya, Jul 18, 2003.

  1. Jul 18, 2003 #1
    RicPlaya

    RicPlaya

    Apr 22, 2003
    The Mitten
    I've got a Rick 4000 series. I was told they made this model in the 80's. It has a single pick up (minus the neck pick up)and a shorter scale neck. How do these compare the other Rick models, does anyone have any knowledge of these basses. Beside having only one pick up I love the bass it's great to play and has good tone.
     
  2. Jul 19, 2003 #2
    Thornton Davis

    Thornton Davis

    Dec 11, 1999
    Canada
    The 4000 bass is a "plain bass" compared to it's sister bass the "deluxe" 4001.
    Ric started making the 4000 in the 60's and continued to make them until the early 80's.
    As you've described the 4000 shared the same body style as the 4001 but has only a single bridge pickup. The 4000 also has dot neck position markers and no body binding on it.
    During the early 70's Rickenbacker made a number of 4000's with a set neck rather than the traditional neck through design. I don't think that aided in the sales of the 4000 back then.
    I know bass players prefer the neck through design if they are going to own a Ric bass.
    The fact that the popular bass players at the time were playing the 4001 didn't influence 4000 bass sales, but they sure helped 4001 sales.
    The 4000 model was not as successful of model compared to the "deluxe" 4001, so Rickenbacker decided to discontinue the 4000 to make way for the then new 4001v63 which proved to be far more popular than the 4000 ever was.
    From a playability view, both the 4000 and 4001 are great instruments. They play and feel the same.
    Tone is "a little thinner", due to the 4000 having only the single pickup. I have seen and it is not uncommon for 4000 owners add a neck pickup and controls to add to the versatility of their bass.
    Enjoy your bass.
    Cheers,
     
  3. Jul 19, 2003 #3
    bentem

    bentem

    Oct 18, 2002
    Rockville, MD
    When did they start making 4003's, and what is the diference between those and 4001's?
     
  4. Jul 20, 2003 #4
    tim4003

    tim4003

    Apr 30, 2002
    Dawsonville , GA
    The 4003 started production in 1980 as the replacement for the 4001.
    The only difference between the 4001 & 4003 is the 4003 has stronger truss rods. On the 4003, the truss rod will adjust (move) the neck, where as a 4001, you have to physically move the neck and then tighten the truss rods to hold it there.