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The Rickenbacker Club! (part 2)

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#741
My "#1" Bass. Its a 1980 Factory Fretless Rickenbacker 4001. I've had it for about 25 years and (though I've played it extensively) have always babied it. It plays like a dream and still looks pretty darn new (other than the white trim has yellowed somewhat).

Back in the day I used to use Roto Rounds on it. I had the fingerboard refinished recently though and now its nothing but flats. I figure this one has paid its due.

RickBass1.jpg
RickBass2.jpg
 
#745
pringlw said:
My "#1" Bass. Its a 1980 Factory Fretless Rickenbacker 4001. I've had it for about 25 years and (though I've played it extensively) have always babied it. It plays like a dream and still looks pretty darn new (other than the white trim has yellowed somewhat).

Back in the day I used to use Roto Rounds on it. I had the fingerboard refinished recently though and now its nothing but flats. I figure this one has paid its due.

View attachment 111954
View attachment 111955
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Absolutely stunning. Love that color.
 
#747
I put this on layaway today.
Just need to sell my '64 Epiphone Hollowbody and she's mine.

1215081718.jpg


It's a late 70's 4003, I think - might be a 4001. I don't know anything about Rickenbackers. She just kept calling to me. What a phenomenal tone. They had 2 new ones that I played, didn't even come close to how awesome this one sounded.
 
#748
That is a mid 80's 4003. Should be a really nice thin neck and have a good beefy sound. The new ones don't have the grit that some of the 80's basses do. The serial number should begin with the letters U, V, W, X, Y, or Z. That letter represents the year, the second letter is the month and the numbers are the production #...
 
#749
sturmvogel said:
I think the V63 has a thinner neck than the 4003S models---at least those made from the beginning to the mid-90's. Also the V63 is worth a lot more, at least according to price guides. The 4003S is listed at between $1300 and $1400. T The V63 at $1900 to $2400. They probably owe you some money.
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My '91 4003S and my '93 V63 have very similar necks - if anything, the 4003S is a tad slimmer, but I wouldn't state that as hard fact. All 400x basses from the late 90s through 2007ish have larger necks.
 
#753
Jaymi said:
That is a mid 80's 4003. Should be a really nice thin neck and have a good beefy sound. The new ones don't have the grit that some of the 80's basses do. The serial number should begin with the letters U, V, W, X, Y, or Z. That letter represents the year, the second letter is the month and the numbers are the production #...
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how can you tell it's an 80's rather than a 70's?
 
#757
I checked it out with a google search. I think you're right. I think its Montezuma Brown. It looks like a much smoother transition between colors on my bass than the newer ones though. Could be my imagination but the color transition seems more abrupt on the ones I saw online. Almost has me wondering if its a 2 color vs a 3 color transition.

Anyway, I love this bass. I've had many come and go through the years but this one I've always held on to. Beyond the color of the finish, the color transitions into a tone that works really well with the fretboard. Because its fretless I can take the action way down and (given that its got that thin 4001 neck) that makes it one of the fastest basses I've ever played. Best of all, fretless or not, it still has that clucky, growly Rickenbacker sound. Anyway, this bass always gets a big reaction when I bring it out.
 
#758
pringlw said:
I checked it out with a google search. I think you're right. I think its Montezuma Brown. It looks like a much smoother transition between colors on my bass than the newer ones though. Could be my imagination but the color transition seems more abrupt on the ones I saw online. Almost has me wondering if its a 2 color vs a 3 color transition.

Anyway, I love this bass. I've had many come and go through the years but this one I've always held on to. Beyond the color of the finish, the color transitions into a tone that works really well with the fretboard. Because its fretless I can take the action way down and (given that its got that thin 4001 neck) that makes it one of the fastest basses I've ever played. Best of all, fretless or not, it still has that clucky, growly Rickenbacker sound. Anyway, this bass always gets a big reaction when I bring it out.
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Montezuma Brown is the reissue color of what you have. Yours is called Autumnglo....a tobacco sunburst
 
#759
XansNiceSweater said:
how can you tell it's an 80's rather than a 70's?
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For starters, it has a 2 piece pickguard. That is the sign of a mid 80's 4003. To adjust the trussrods in the neck you have to remove the piece that holds the front pickup. Second, the bridge has 7 screws that hold it to the bass. This was only done on early 4003 basses from 1980-1987. If you get a chance, go back to the store and write down all of the letters and numbers from the jackplate(where you plug it in) and tell me what they are, I can tell you exactly what the bass is....
 
#760
I just acquired a 1999 Fireglo 4003 this past weekend... It's definately been played... a couple of nicks and dings here and there, but still very purdy. It's everything I've wanted in a bass and more...

I'll post pics the second I put the thing down to stop playing it...
 
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