McCartney's Rickenbacker 4001S neck
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McCartney's Rickenbacker 4001S neck
Does anyone know if Paul's Ric 4001S has side dot markers on both sides of the neck?
His bass was constructed with a right-handed neck. On a lefty instrument, this would mean the neck side dot markers would be facing downwards (as you can see in the photo) instead of the usual upwards.
However, with some vintage lefty instruments that used righty necks, an additional set of side dot markers was added on the top side of the neck, meaning both sides of the neck had markers. For example, see reissues of left-handed Gibson Les Pauls from the 1950s.
His bass was constructed with a right-handed neck. On a lefty instrument, this would mean the neck side dot markers would be facing downwards (as you can see in the photo) instead of the usual upwards.
However, with some vintage lefty instruments that used righty necks, an additional set of side dot markers was added on the top side of the neck, meaning both sides of the neck had markers. For example, see reissues of left-handed Gibson Les Pauls from the 1950s.
Re: McCartney's Rickenbacker 4001S neck
In that picture, it sure does look like markers on that side.
Re: McCartney's Rickenbacker 4001S neck
And, you can easily see the really wide cutaway area of the HS surround under the strings.
Re: McCartney's Rickenbacker 4001S neck
What I meant was about the other (top) side that is not in the photo. So far I've not been able to find any images of this side.teeder wrote:In that picture, it sure does look like markers on that side.
Re: McCartney's Rickenbacker 4001S neck
Interesting thread. I wonder if any of the Flowers In The Dirt sessions photos with Elvis Costello have anything to offer?
Re: McCartney's Rickenbacker 4001S neck
If only Mal had turned the bass around!!
Re: McCartney's Rickenbacker 4001S neck
3rd and 5th fret dots are visible in this photo, so yes, both sides of his fretboard have markers.
Rickenbacker '64 & '68 4001 basses ♦ Fender Pre-CBS J & P Basses and 1968 Telecaster Bass ♦ Moog Taurus III Bass Pedals ♦ Hiwatt (Hylight) Amplification
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"A good bassist determines the direction of any band."- Ron Carter
Re: McCartney's Rickenbacker 4001S neck
I see them on the 7th, 9th, and 12th frets, too.
Is that binding on the heel end of the fingerboard in that photo of Mal, or just a really bright reflection off the end grain of the fingerboard?
Is that binding on the heel end of the fingerboard in that photo of Mal, or just a really bright reflection off the end grain of the fingerboard?
Re: McCartney's Rickenbacker 4001S neck
Looks like binding to me. Amazing that we still learn things about this bass!jps wrote:I see them on the 7th, 9th, and 12th frets, too.
Is that binding on the heel end of the fingerboard in that photo of Mal, or just a really bright reflection off the end grain of the fingerboard?
- squirebass
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Re: McCartney's Rickenbacker 4001S neck
Yeah, like how many pics are out there of Sir Paul's 4001S with the original fireglo finish and the horsey?!?!bottom4 wrote:Looks like binding to me. Amazing that we still learn things about this bass!jps wrote:I see them on the 7th, 9th, and 12th frets, too.
Is that binding on the heel end of the fingerboard in that photo of Mal, or just a really bright reflection off the end grain of the fingerboard?
Re: McCartney's Rickenbacker 4001S neck
Either way he doesn't need the side dots - Höfners don't have side dots and that's how he's used to playing.
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Re: McCartney's Rickenbacker 4001S neck
Hm... what makes you think binding vs a reflection? Seems weird that only the heel end would have the white binding when the sides of the neck do not.bottom4 wrote:Looks like binding to me. Amazing that we still learn things about this bass!jps wrote:I see them on the 7th, 9th, and 12th frets, too.
Is that binding on the heel end of the fingerboard in that photo of Mal, or just a really bright reflection off the end grain of the fingerboard?
Re: McCartney's Rickenbacker 4001S neck
We've seen lots of interesting things over the years. This is a possibility.Axelorox wrote:Hm... what makes you think binding vs a reflection? Seems weird that only the heel end would have the white binding when the sides of the neck do not.bottom4 wrote:Looks like binding to me. Amazing that we still learn things about this bass!jps wrote:I see them on the 7th, 9th, and 12th frets, too.
Is that binding on the heel end of the fingerboard in that photo of Mal, or just a really bright reflection off the end grain of the fingerboard?
- bassduke49
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Re: McCartney's Rickenbacker 4001S neck
The detailed portrait of McCartney's bass in the book, taken probably in the '90s or early oughts (I think) shows no evidence of binding on the heel of the fingerboard. I think it's a reflection in that old shot.
Author: "The Rickenbacker Electric Bass - 50 Years As Rock's Bottom"
Re: McCartney's Rickenbacker 4001S neck
Me too.bassduke49 wrote:The detailed portrait of McCartney's bass in the book, taken probably in the '90s or early oughts (I think) shows no evidence of binding on the heel of the fingerboard. I think it's a reflection in that old shot.