The Rickenbacker Club! Part trees!

[kcole4001]

I hope you are aware of how rare those babies are! (A JetGlo 4080/12 that is)
From what I learned on another RIC-centric forum, Geddy ordered #1 (and of course, his is modified), a fellow on said forum owned #2 and sold it for either $7500 or $8000, I can't remember. This was 4 years ago.
Mine's merely a 4080 (bass and six string).
A bit heavy, but the tone is fantastic. I've been considering using it this weekend at the new band's first gig, but I don't like taking it out in winter.
----------------------------------------------------------
Regarding the 4001 with mono output, it may have been a factory custom order. It could also have been modded, but would still have a long jackplate to cover both holes.
Definitely check the serial number on the RIC site.
If it's a good number and matches the year, ask for pics of the truss rod ends (under the truss rod cover on the headstock.
Some fakes have two rods, but I think all fakes have the dual jacks (labelled mono and stereo-sound usually).
I'm not an expert on copies, but have learned many of the tell-tale signs to look for.
Often the fingerboard is darker than RIC bubinga boards, the inlay material is often different, and the chrome is of much poorer quality.
One truss rod is a dead giveaway on 4000 series bass, never heard of any that had only one rod.

 

[By-Tor1000RR]

I'm pretty sure I posted pics of mine in "Part 2", but I know I won't get any complaints for reposting

'87 fireglow 4003 that I bought 12 or so years ago. It already had the wood pickguard when I bought it. I think it gives it some sweet character and the carved in thumbrest makes it real comfortable when I'm over the neck pickup.

 

[4001]

I hope you are aware of how rare those babies are! (A JetGlo 4080/12 that is)
From what I learned on another RIC-centric forum, Geddy ordered #1 (and of course, his is modified), a fellow on said forum owned #2 and sold it for either $7500 or $8000, I can't remember. This was 4 years ago.

It just celebrated it's 26th birthday!!

 

[Gums]

Hello! Proud owner of an April (WD XXXX) 1983 Rickenbacker 4001. Purchased from American
Musical Supply when I was 16 years old for $600 new in July of 1983 and have owned it ever
since. Musician's Friend didn't exist at the time. It was founded that same year. There was
no internet and you couldn't buy it locally. The nearest music store that sold it was a place
called Marguerite's Music in Moorhead, Minnesota and that was 195 miles away! So I sent in a
money order for six bills (a king's ransom back in '83) and waited for what seemed an
eternity for it to arrive. New Jersey to North Dakota (yes, that's right, North Dakota) took
maybe two or three weeks for the order to be processed and delivered! If I close my eyes I
can still smell the interior of the HSC when I first opened it up! Yeah, baby! I've had it for
26 years and 5 months now and it's more than paid for itelf. Literally. It's as much a part of
me as anyone's tattoo! Sell it? Not on your life! Would someone sell the family dog? Never!
This is my partner and lifelong friend through good times and bad. I just turned 43 this past
Thanksgiving Day. My good old pal celebrates it's 27th this coming April. Twenty-seven
years. That's what I refer to as the "Magic Rock Death Age". Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin,
Brian Jones, Jim Morrison and Kurt Cobain were all 27 when they died--as most of you may
already know. I've long since outlived them and now Rick has too. The both of us are gonna
be around a lot longer in order to carry on our own musical legacy, albeit small. I've taken
good care of Rick and it's more than returned the favor.
There's hope for us all. Here's my Rick...

With all that being said, could my friend Rick and I please have a number? Thanks much and
rockin' Rickenbackin' greetings from the great state of North Dakota!! Cheers!!

 

[FromBeyond]

Hello! Proud owner of an April (WD XXXX) 1983 Rickenbacker 4001. Purchased from American
Musical Supply when I was 16 years old for $600 new in July of 1983 and have owned it ever
since. Musician's Friend didn't exist at the time. It was founded that same year. There was
no internet and you couldn't buy it locally. The nearest music store that sold it was a place
called Marguerite's Music in Moorhead, Minnesota and that was 195 miles away! So I sent in a
money order for six bills (a king's ransom back in '83) and waited for what seemed an
eternity for it to arrive. New Jersey to North Dakota (yes, that's right, North Dakota) took
maybe two or three weeks for the order to be processed and delivered! If I close my eyes I
can still smell the interior of the HSC when I first opened it up! Yeah, baby! I've had it for
26 years and 5 months now and it's more than paid for itelf. Literally. It's as much a part of
me as anyone's tattoo! Sell it? Not on your life! Would someone sell the family dog? Never!
This is my partner and lifelong friend through good times and bad. I just turned 43 this past
Thanksgiving Day. My good old pal celebrates it's 27th this coming April. Twenty-seven
years. That's what I refer to as the "Magic Rock Death Age". Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin,
Brian Jones, Jim Morrison and Kurt Cobain were all 27 when they died--as most of you may
already know. I've long since outlived them and now Rick has too. The both of us are gonna
be around a lot longer in order to carry on our own musical legacy, albeit small. I've taken
good care of Rick and it's more than returned the favor.
There's hope for us all. Here's my Rick...

With all that being said, could my friend Rick and I please have a number? Thanks much and
rockin' Rickenbackin' greetings from the great state of North Dakota!! Cheers!!

Great story man!

Ugh...I'm going to be part of this club someday...mark my words!

 

[68Goldfish]

Hello! Proud owner of an April (WD XXXX) 1983 Rickenbacker 4001. Purchased from American
Musical Supply when I was 16 years old for $600 new in July of 1983 and have owned it ever
since. Musician's Friend didn't exist at the time. It was founded that same year. There was
no internet and you couldn't buy it locally. The nearest music store that sold it was a place
called Marguerite's Music in Moorhead, Minnesota and that was 195 miles away! So I sent in a
money order for six bills (a king's ransom back in '83) and waited for what seemed an
eternity for it to arrive. New Jersey to North Dakota (yes, that's right, North Dakota) took
maybe two or three weeks for the order to be processed and delivered! If I close my eyes I
can still smell the interior of the HSC when I first opened it up! Yeah, baby! I've had it for
26 years and 5 months now and it's more than paid for itelf. Literally. It's as much a part of
me as anyone's tattoo! Sell it? Not on your life! Would someone sell the family dog? Never!
This is my partner and lifelong friend through good times and bad. I just turned 43 this past
Thanksgiving Day. My good old pal celebrates it's 27th this coming April. Twenty-seven
years. That's what I refer to as the "Magic Rock Death Age". Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin,
Brian Jones, Jim Morrison and Kurt Cobain were all 27 when they died--as most of you may
already know. I've long since outlived them and now Rick has too. The both of us are gonna
be around a lot longer in order to carry on our own musical legacy, albeit small. I've taken
good care of Rick and it's more than returned the favor.
There's hope for us all. Here's my Rick...

With all that being said, could my friend Rick and I please have a number? Thanks much and
rockin' Rickenbackin' greetings from the great state of North Dakota!! Cheers!!

Yeah, nice job man!

 

[Gums]

Yeah, nice job man!

Thanks 68Goldfish! Sure wish lots of those naysayers
on the "Rickenbacker 4001---Love or Hate?" post would
care to take the time to read my little thread. Lots of people
are chiming in tonite and some have some pretty lousy
things to chime about. Hey, different strokes for different folks.
It's like this: lobster is an expensive delicacy and I'm sure it's
quite tasty but I personally can't stand seafood. To each their own......

 

[Gibenbackerbass]

Thanks 68Goldfish! Sure wish lots of those naysayers
on the "Rickenbacker 4001---Love or Hate?" post would
care to take the time to read my little thread. Lots of people
are chiming in tonite and some have some pretty lousy
things to chime about. Hey, different strokes for different folks.
It's like this: lobster is an expensive delicacy and I'm sure it's
quite tasty but I personally can't stand seafood. To each their own......

Have you tried the 4003 that has been recently produced? I'd be curious to know how you would compare and contrast the difference between your vintage Rick and the 4003 that's being currenlty made.

Similar to you, I purchased a new 4003 back in 1982. The store had a natural 4001 and a fireglow 4003. When I asked the sales person what the difference was they said, "one's got flats the other has rounds." I liked the sound of the rounds so I bought the 4003. Still have it and love it.

 

[PhR]

February 1991 4003 JG, bought new.

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[Gums]

Have you tried the 4003 that has been recently produced? I'd be curious to know how you would compare and contrast the difference between your vintage Rick and the 4003 that's being currenlty made.

Similar to you, I purchased a new 4003 back in 1982. The store had a natural 4001 and a fireglow 4003. When I asked the sales person what the difference was they said, "one's got flats the other has rounds." I liked the sound of the rounds so I bought the 4003. Still have it and love it.

Nope, sure wish that I could though. A 4003 is high up on my personal GAS list however. (Fireglo, of course!) Absolutely love that crimson tone they get outta that burst! Funny you mentioned the round and flat string conundrum when choosing between the two Ricks. The three things I distinctly remember when I first opened up that HSC on my parents' kitchen table was the sweet smell, how thin the body was and the fact that it had flatwound strings! Ugh! Slapped a set of Rotosound Swing bass 66s on 'em right away! Back then they came in a fluorescent blaze orange pack. On the back there was a black, photocopied picture of John Entwistle playing what I think was an Alembic bass. Could be wrong though! Good move with the rounds! Would've made the same choice given the chance.

You also say '82 was the year you purchased the 4003? Ya see, there's gotta to be a certain time frame during '82 and '83 when the 4001 and 4003 were both being sold and/or manufactured. I'm certain the 4001 was being phased out at the time. Mine has Grover enclosed tuners. Date of manufacture? April 1983 (WD 526). But just about a week or so ago I saw a 4003 on evilBay with a Born On Date of September of 1983 as well. I was always curious as to the particular time that both models overlapped one another. Buying one, as I did through mail order at the age of 16 out in the hinterland of ND, must have been sort of like a lottery pick I guess. Ok...YOU get the 4001 with the Grovers and YOU over there get the 4003 with the Schallers, everybody OK with that? Don't know if it really went down like that but it's fun to think about though.

 

[Gums]

BTW, how long does it take to get a number 'round here? Just curious. Thanks!
1983 Rickenbacker 4001 (#WD 562) Jetglo with Grover sealed tuners
Refretted, setup and PLEK'd by Mike Lull Guitar Works, December 2009.
Lacquer finish removed from fretboard.
DR Nickel Lo-rider strings .045-.105 (NMH-45)

 

[Gibenbackerbass]

The 4001 & 4003 were sold at the same time for several years. I read somewhere that it took RIC several years to use up thier inventory of 4001 parts. I think they depleated thier inventory of 4001 parts by 1986.

What's kind of cool about ther early 4003's is they have the split guard and truss rods that adjust at the bass of the neck. Also, mine has the 2 extra screws at the far end of the bridge, which RIC eventually eliminated. There's no tail lift, which is great, however, all those screws does look to be a bit much from a visual perspective. Looks like something you'd expect to see from someone's high school project that didn't turn out quite right.

The fireglow finish on mine has aged very nice and looks totally different than the new ones. I'm glade I got it and kept it all these years. Since 1982 I've only had to adjust the truss rods twice. I don't know if the two piece laminated neck has anything to do with that. Maybe some really great quality wood was used.

The thickness of the neck on my '82 seems to be somewhere between the one (4003) I bought earlier this year (made in Jan 09, which is really beefy) and a C64 4001, which is very thin (I hope it doesn't get twisted -- time will tell).

Nope, sure wish that I could though. A 4003 is high up on my personal GAS list however. (Fireglo, of course!) Absolutely love that crimson tone they get outta that burst! Funny you mentioned the round and flat string conundrum when choosing between the two Ricks. The three things I distinctly remember when I first opened up that HSC on my parents' kitchen table was the sweet smell, how thin the body was and the fact that it had flatwound strings! Ugh! Slapped a set of Rotosound Swing bass 66s on 'em right away! Back then they came in a fluorescent blaze orange pack. On the back there was a black, photocopied picture of John Entwistle playing what I think was an Alembic bass. Could be wrong though! Good move with the rounds! Would've made the same choice given the chance.

You also say '82 was the year you purchased the 4003? Ya see, there's gotta to be a certain time frame during '82 and '83 when the 4001 and 4003 were both being sold and/or manufactured. I'm certain the 4001 was being phased out at the time. Mine has Grover enclosed tuners. Date of manufacture? April 1983 (WD 526). But just about a week or so ago I saw a 4003 on evilBay with a Born On Date of September of 1983 as well. I was always curious as to the particular time that both models overlapped one another. Buying one, as I did through mail order at the age of 16 out in the hinterland of ND, must have been sort of like a lottery pick I guess. Ok...YOU get the 4001 with the Grovers and YOU over there get the 4003 with the Schallers, everybody OK with that? Don't know if it really went down like that but it's fun to think about though.

 

[JimB52]

1977 Mapleglo Ric 4001. Nice slim neck, pretty lightweight, changed tuners. Picked it up cheap from the Swami at the Bass Palace years ago. It had a Jazz bass PU in the bridge position. Greg "Frankensteinberger" (RIP) sold me a '77 PU for $60 and I put it in. A nice playing and sounding bass for $660.

 

[cassius987]

Some really nice maple there, Jim. Sweet!

 

[Gibenbackerbass]

various Fireglows Ric has produced over the years...

So, what's your favorite...?

 

[Gums]

The 1982 4003 hands down. Very nice blend. The others tend to end with
what I'd describe as a kind of "peach" tone. I don't mind them at all either!
I just prefer the '82. Is the binding turning a yellowish blonde as well? It is
on my '83 4001. Really adds character. Can't really tell from your pics.
BTW, still waitin' on a #! Hello?? Who's minding the store here, anyway?
Anyone reading this please kick it upstairs to the person in charge.
Like to officially edit my sig. Thanks...

 

[kcole4001]

I'm liking the '09 4003. A bit darker at the edges and more depth to the fade.
Just personal preference.
My 4000 is similar, looks like a nice, ripe apple. Yum!

 

[Gibenbackerbass]

Yes, the neck and body binding are nicely yellowed, which adds much character. The neck binding on the 1982 is also wider than the binding on the newer 4003s. I'm amazed at how thin the frets are on the 1982 compared to the new 4003s.

Chronicle will issue you a memeber number shortly.

The 1982 4003 hands down. Very nice blend. The others tend to end with
what I'd describe as a kind of "peach" tone. I don't mind them at all either!
I just prefer the '82. Is the binding turning a yellowish blonde as well? It is
on my '83 4001. Really adds character. Can't really tell from your pics.
BTW, still waitin' on a #! Hello?? Who's minding the store here, anyway?
Anyone reading this please kick it upstairs to the person in charge.
Like to officially edit my sig. Thanks...

 

[Gibenbackerbass]

I really, really, really, want a 4000. I sort of hope that RIC reissues them, and in a special, never-before-offerd color!!

I'm liking the '09 4003. A bit darker at the edges and more depth to the fade.
Just personal preference.
My 4000 is similar, looks like a nice, ripe apple. Yum!

 

[kcole4001]

It's a great bass!

A reissue's not very likely, I'm afraid.
At least not in the near future.

They need to get the bread and butter stuff on the table, so to speak, first, and I get the impression that Mr. Hall isn't keen on reissues in general.

Of course, all the Beatle stuff sells like crazy, but that's just the generational thing.
All the Beatle fans have money to spend now.