Old Shortscale 4001

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Chris P
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Old Shortscale 4001

Post by Chris P »

Today I was a guest at the national radio to talk about bass. Long story short: we have our 50th issue and we published a reader chosen bass song top 50. As a Dutch magazine it's no surprise Golden Earrings Radar Love won. Rick link: In the official video you see Rinus Gerritsen play his '60s 4001S ('68?), while it's recorded with a Gibson EB-3 through a Fender Twin Reverb amp.

In the show I was accompanied by Rinus Gerritsen. I Know about his EB0, EB3, his see through Dan Armstrong, his Danelectro's, his Ovation Magnum, his very old Höfner and his 4001, but he told me earlier he had an old short scale Rick. As a former 3000 owner, I asked him before if it was a 3000 but he told me it was the 'normal' Rickenbacker type bass. I thought he was just wrong, but today he brought a picture and he told me the story:

He is not a big Rickenbacker fan and he never played his 4001 much. On tour in the US with the Golden Earring a Rickenbacker sales rep came up to him and he asked him why he didn't play a Ricky. Rinus, too polite to tell him he disliked the 4001, said he only played short scale.
The next dat the rep was back at the hotel with - according to Rinus - one of two short scale Rickenbackers, built for a bass player of a country band/star. He bought it for 300 US Dollars.

So it seems I was wrong and RInus right. Of course I want to visit him once to see it and judge it for myself. And I will ask John Hall at the NAMM about it.

What do you guys know/think/...?

Checkered bindings
Bound headstock
Dots

BTW: I have Rinus' permission to post this.

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jps
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Re: Old Shortscale 4001

Post by jps »

This is really cool, Chris. Not only short scale, but a deluxe model with fingerboard dots, along with your aforementioned bound headstock. :D

If you see or talk to Rinus, again, let him know that when my old band played "Radar Love" I always used my Rick! :mrgreen:
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berth
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Re: Old Shortscale 4001

Post by berth »

How nice for you as journalist to finally have a scoop after many years. I'm happy for you!
68 4001|73 4001 MG|75 4000 MG|79 4001 JG FL|81 4001S AZG|86 4003 MID/BT|86 4003 Shadow|88 4003s Blackstar|89 4003 Grey/BT FL|93 4004 Ci|96 4003S/8 FG|98 4003S/5 JG|05 650D|05 4004Cii/5 TG|08 660/12 JG|18 4003S/5 MID|19 4003S/5 WAL ||TR35B|RB 30||
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Chris P
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Re: Old Shortscale 4001

Post by Chris P »

Bert, do the forum rules allow me to kill sarcastic people? It should!

(Before anyone reacts: Bert and I know eachother very well)
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lumgimfong
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Re: Old Shortscale 4001

Post by lumgimfong »

If he wants to sell it let me know.
Have wanted a shortie Ric for a long time.
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