Rickenbacker 4000

[Dr. Cheese]

My first good bass was a Rickenbacker 4000. I kept it seven and a half years, longer than any bass I have ever owned. I still miss it, and I would buy one again, if by some miracle, I can find one at a good price. Back in 1978, I paid $448 for mine. I looked for this clip because I have only one recording of it, and I forgot what it sounded like. I remembered it having a good slap tone, and apparently it does. I always thought it was neck through, not a set neck. I removed the pickup cover from mine within a few weeks, and pretty much kept it off. For a while, I used flatwounds and turned up the mutes to get the Leon Sylvers III sound.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

By the way, my Ric could rock too!

 

[Jeff Scott]

Early 4000s were neck through. In the early '70s it changed to a set neck bass.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Early 4000s were neck through. In the early '70s it changed to a set neck bass.

I bought mine in 1978. My guess it is that was made in 1978 or 1977. Letting go of that bass was the first of many regrets in my bass buying life.

It's funny, I was a huge Stanley Clarke fan st that time. I knew he played a Rickenbacker sometimes, but I did know he ever used a 4000.

 

[Jeff Scott]

Here's another 4000.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Here's another 4000.

Hey, I guess the 4000 was a pretty cool bass to own back in the day. I know I loved mine.

 

[Jeff Scott]

Yeah, there were more around than we probably remember.

 

[godofthunder59]

I had one in the early 80s the House of Guitars got a bunch in and we're blowing them out. I think I paid $275 new with case. Best Ric I ever owned, never should have sold it.

 

[DigitalMan]

Afaik all the 4001's ever built have a magic switch that can temporarily convert them into a 4000 on the fly.

 

[woodyng2]

Early 4000s were neck through. In the early '70s it changed to a set neck bass.

Here's one of each. ('72 NT MG and '74 SN Caucasianglo)
I Still have the White one. All of the set-neck Rick basses i've played seem to have a certain tonal something not found in the neck-throughs. (But that '72 was very special,too!)

 

[woodyng2]

Here's another 4000.

Looks like mine!

 

[woodyng2]

Afaik all the 4001's ever built have a magic switch that can temporarily convert them into a 4000 on the fly.

Actually,you'd have to add another switch to bypass the bass filter cap on the bridge pickup to make a 4001 sound like a 4000. (And it's a great mod).

 

[bobyoung53]

Nice bass, I've had many Rics but never had a 4000. I did buy a new mapleglo 4001 in 1977 though and I paid a little bit more than you did, I think it was about 475.00, bought it at Wurlitzers in Boston.

 

[bobyoung53]

Actually,you'd have to add another switch to bypass the bass filter cap on the bridge pickup to make a 4001 sound like a 4000. (And it's a great mod).

All I did was put a piece of wire across the cap and voila, it's now either a 4000 or a 4003. That is the single best mod done on a 4001.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Nice bass, I've had many Rics but never had a 4000. I did buy a new mapleglo 4001 in 1977 though and I paid a little bit more than you did, I think it was about 475.00, bought it at Wurlitzers in Boston.

That was a great price. I have to remind myself that I was making $2.68 an hour back then. It took a while to pay for my 4000.

 

[bobyoung53]

That was a great price. I have to remind myself that I was making $2.68 an hour back then. It took a while to pay for my 4000.

I bought mine with my federal tax refund, always claimed 0, like money in the bank.

 

[Hounddog409]

I bought mine with my federal tax refund, always claimed 0, like money in the bank.

Actually it is exactly like giving the government a loan and charging them 0% interest.

 

[fretter]

Find the 4000!

View attachment 1010330
Photograph Copyright © Jeffrey P. Scott 2005 All rights reserved.

No idea, but I see Lemmy's bass front right.

 

[Mantis Tobaggan]

I would love a 4000. I only use the bridge pickup on my 4003. Do they have solid wood under the pickguard?

 

[woodyng2]

I would love a 4000. I only use the bridge pickup on my 4003. Do they have solid wood under the pickguard?

Usually,there isn't any additional routing for a neck pickup,if that's what you mean.
Key word is "usually".
There is the usual sized cavity for the volume and tone pots,wiring,etc.