Oh what a bass, late December back in '63

s4001 · Post by **s4001** » Tue Sep 05, 2017 11:04 pm

Wow. Whattabass!

FabGearHead · Post by **FabGearHead** » Wed Sep 06, 2017 10:43 am

A beautiful example! Just beautiful... Hey guys, would this bass be one of the first of the 4001 series which has the features we have come to know and love? With the exception of the inlays of course! I realized I wasn't sure when that happened.

Jim

JWR · Post by **JWR** » Sun Sep 10, 2017 11:02 am

This is a beautiful example. Thanks for sharing.

libratune · Post by **libratune** » Sun Sep 10, 2017 6:16 pm

FabGearHead wrote:A beautiful example! Just beautiful... Hey guys, would this bass be one of the first of the 4001 series which has the features we have come to know and love? With the exception of the inlays of course! I realized I wasn't sure when that happened.

Jim

Judging from what's in the Register, late 1963 marked the beginning of the "4001 Deluxe." The 1962 and earlier predecessors were generally versions of the model 4000 with gold pickguards.

Here's a sampling (corrections welcome):

: 1962 4000

: 1963 - 4000

: 1963 4001S

: 1963 4001 Deluxe

FabGearHead · Post by **FabGearHead** » Sun Sep 10, 2017 7:46 pm

Thanks Ron! Just an amazing instrument, beautiful...

Jim

wints · Post by **wints** » Mon Sep 11, 2017 5:23 am

Lovely example. Still not many stories like that one. Hope you got the neck sorted out out Tony!

Now, where's that blonde stack knob jazz!

opticnerve · Post by **opticnerve** » Mon Sep 11, 2017 9:47 am

Thanks again guys!

Ron, It looks like January 1963 is when the modern style 4000/4001's were first introduced.

As per a previous post from Vincent G....

"One is dated very late 1962 and has a gold guard. My earliest 63 with all the newer details and white guard is from February 63. I do not believe there is a 62 bass with a white guard nor a 63 with a gold guard."

Andy, I sent the bass to Dale straight away & he dealt with the neck issue.

There was a slight hump on the fret board around the 14th fret. He lifted the bottom of the board and inserted a shim.

The neck is now straight & it plays beautifully. The strings are set low and parallel to the neck up and down.

Dale did a fantastic job saving this bass!!!

libratune · Post by **libratune** » Mon Sep 11, 2017 2:48 pm

opticnerve wrote:
Ron, It looks like January 1963 is when the modern style 4000/4001's were first introduced.

Agreed. My observation was that it seems that the "4001 Deluxe" was introduced later in 1963, after the 4000 and 4001S -- again, based on what's in the Register.

bassduke49 · Post by **bassduke49** » Mon Sep 11, 2017 3:29 pm

Although I haven't looked at the registry in some time, it seems to me that there was a single 4001 example from 1962 in there - at least it was listed that way. It had the "new" tailpiece, pickguard, and controls with the deluxe appointments. Lemme see if I can find it . . . .

bassduke49 · Post by **bassduke49** » Mon Sep 11, 2017 3:37 pm

Hmm . . . nope, but then I found this late 1961. Don't know if this one was modified or if it is another stage in the evolution, but it has the old bridge/mute with the two pickups and four controls:

http://www.rickresource.com/register/vi ... lebrity%3D

opticnerve · Post by **opticnerve** » Mon Sep 11, 2017 4:18 pm

libratune wrote:
opticnerve wrote:
Ron, It looks like January 1963 is when the modern style 4000/4001's were first introduced.
Agreed. My observation was that it seems that the "4001 Deluxe" was introduced later in 1963, after the 4000 and 4001S -- again, based on what's in the Register.

Ah, I see Ron. You're probably correct!

I don't recall ever seeing an early/mid '63 Deluxe.

I know someone with a '63 Deluxe (not a member here). I believe it's also a late '63.

Chef, can you find out what month Peter's bass is?

opticnerve · Post by **opticnerve** » Mon Sep 11, 2017 4:28 pm

bassduke49 wrote:Hmm . . . nope, but then I found this late 1961. Don't know if this one was modified or if it is another stage in the evolution, but it has the old bridge/mute with the two pickups and four controls:

http://www.rickresource.com/register/vi ... lebrity%3D

Not modified Paul. It's the stuff of dreams...

viewtopic.php?f=31&t=411972&hilit=1961+4001

bassduke49 · Post by **bassduke49** » Mon Sep 11, 2017 5:54 pm

I don't know how I ever could have missed that one. Ooh, now I know! I don't check the Register forum at all. I wish somebody who does would have given me a nudge on this one so it could have been included in the second edition. Damn!

jps · Post by **jps** » Mon Sep 11, 2017 8:31 pm

bassduke49 wrote:I don't know how I ever could have missed that one. Ooh, now I know! I don't check the Register forum at all. I wish somebody who does would have given me a nudge on this one so it could have been included in the second edition. Damn!

Fodder for the 3rd.....................

FabGearHead · Post by **FabGearHead** » Mon Sep 11, 2017 9:29 pm

C'mon Paul! You know you wanna! (#3) Thanks for the pics and info guys. 1963 was a pivotal transition year for Rickenbacker basses.

Jim

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Oh what a bass, late December back in '63

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