Subject: Rickenbacker Model 4000 and 4001 Bass
Date: 1999/02/10
Question: Could you tell us if the routing for wiring on the Rick 4000
and the 4001s were the same?
Answer: The 4000 has quite a bit less routing on it, as there was no necessity.
Subject: Rickenbacker Model 4005 Bass
Date: 1998/10/04
Question: I recently read that you made a 4005 bass for Mark Hudson. What are the
chances of the 4005 and 4005WB making a much anticipated return to the
Rickenbacker line-up?
Answer: Unfortunately, until we work the present backlog down considerably, the
chance of anything "new" in the line are pretty slim. But we're working
pretty hard to build additional capacity, with just such products in mind.
Subject: Back-Order for Rickenbacker Model 4003 Bass
Date: 1998/09/15
Question: I've read a few posts discussing a year (or so) wait for Ric guitars. I
was
wondering what the waiting period would run, vaguely, for a new 4003 bass.
Mr. Hall?
Answer: For a new dealer order, it's in the range of 9 to 12 months. But bear in
mind that the larger chains anticipate demand and order for stock; some of
these stores might be able to deliver immediately.
Subject: Paul McCartney's Rickenbacker Basses!
Date: 1998/08/28
Question: This may sound awfully silly, but does this mean that the first production
4004C was a LEFTY? That just might be a first in the industry!
Answer: The first 4004C was indeed a left-handed instrument, since I intended this
only as a Christmas gift for Paul. But it was a nice bass and we decided to
go into production with it. The first production unit, which I still have
here, is right-handed. So . . . I guess the answer to your question is "yes
and no"!
Subject: Customized Rickenbacker Model 4003/S8 Bass
Date: 1998/01/30
Question: I would really like to order an 8 string bass just like Squire's model
he used on GFTO,
that is: white finish, black body binding (nameplate & pickguard),
chrome hardware, 4005-8 headstock, Glover machine heads.
Answer: Regretfully, we are not doing any custom work right now. Maybe if we can
catch up a bit it might be possible.
Subject: Rick 4003: "redesigned" 4001?
Date: 1998/03/24
Question: So could someone tell me what were the design changes that allowed for
the
accomodation of roundwounds? To me I'd imagine different fret material,
but
Smith's book mentions different wood laminations.
Answer: A completely new truss rod system was designed for the 4003 (and subsequently all Ricks). While it is somewhat stronger, the main feature is adjustability and how intuitive it is. The old system was actually quite good, and I notice a number of makers now using something like our old system, but you really had to know how to make adjustments. Not doing it right damaged many otherwise perfectly good basses. The newer system allows as much as 3/8" of over- and under-bow at the 12th fret, no matter how heavy the string. Also, two new laminations with reversed back-to-back wood grain, which you cannot see in the completed bass, increase the static strength of the neck.
The fret wire was never changed, as we have always used the hardest alloy available. An almost pure iron string like the Rotosound is going to wear any fret material away more than, say, a nickel alloy string will.
Subject: Rickenbacker Model 4001 Bass
Date: 1998/01/23
Question: It's funny, I've never owned an autumn glo but every time I think of
getting another 4001, that's the color I picture...
Answer: Unfortunately, there were about three different shades of Autumnglo
produced over the years. The first one, circa '57, was like a Fireglo
surrounded by a brown edge. The second, during the late 50's and through
into the 60's was more like a very dark Fireglo. The last one, in the 70's,
was kind of, for lack of a better description, a baby poop brown with a
matte surface.
So, while dreaming, take your pick! (My personal preference is the first
type.)
Subject: Rickenbacker Model 1982 4003SB (V63 prototype)
Date: 1998/01/22
Question: To John Hall or anyone who may really know. What was the story behind
the
4003sb? I still have a flyer showing this model and the Lennon, as well
as the
Harrison models offered in a color ad by Rickenbacker. I have the bass
and
was wondering about production on these? (how many? how long produced?
different features?) Is this model now rare? Mine has the bass toaster
pickup, no binding, dots, plexiglass nameplate, but it is stereo, and has
the
stock treble pickup, not horshoe. It is kind of a hybrid between a 4001S
and
V63.... any info????
Answer: It's been said that these instruments are notable as the first vintage
reissue models made by any manufacturer. Whether that's entirely true, I
don't really know, but all of these "B" models were available only for
about a year circa 1979-1980. While they are as good as any other
instrument produced from a quality and playability standpoint, they're not
terribly accurate as vintage reissues.
I was out of the company during this one year, and some not too bright soul
was charged with the job of creating such a model line up and unfortunately
my father, partly due to his age and fragile health, didn't validate the
offerings too critically. (In fairness, the concept of "vintage reissue"
was new and no one probably knew how much accuracy was appropriate.)
Anyway, when I returned at the beginning of 1981, I made the appropriate
adjustments leading to the models we have today, and sent the fellow
responsible for these for a well deserved winter vacation in Greenland.
Fortunately, relatively few were produced, and this fact alone may make
them somewhat collectable.
Again, they're nice, quality instruments but they missed the intended mark
by a kilometer.
Subject: Rickenbacker Model 4002 Bass
Date: 1998/01/16
Question: Just thought you might like to know. I spotted a 4002 on "8-Track
Flashback" tonight. David Cassidy is the host, and he was doing a show
on the solo Beatles. It was in the background with a Les Paul, a 60's
Epi Sheraton (nice), and an Epiphone Viola Bass. It was Fireglo with
black guards and appeared to be very very nice, indeed.
Answer: Sure it was a 4002? We only produced those in Walnut and Maple finishes.
The ebony fingerboard would be the most noticeable difference, if the
pickups were not visible (or were transplanted from another 4002).
These basses are as rare as hen's teeth, since so few were produced.
Subject: Rickenbacker Lefty Model 4003 Bass
Date: 1998/02/11
Question: My brother just picked up a gorgeous left-handed 4003 in pristine
condition at
an incredible price. But we noticed something wierd about it. In all
the
photos I've ever seen of left handed 4000's, they always have had the
same
headstock and truss rod cover shape as right-handed necks. The only
difference
is they've had the Rickenbacker truss rod cover with the writing starting
at
the top instead of at the nut.
Answer: Older lefties were made with right hand necks and the somewhat strange
looking name plate as on Paul McCartney's bass. In approximately 1984, I
told the factory that left-hand players deserved a true right hand
instrument and we began making fully mirror image units (except for the
R-tailpiece).
However . . . for the Japanese market only, we make lefty 4001V63's in the
old way, just like Paul's, as they seem to be more than fanatic about
having a perfect copy.
Subject: Rickenbacker Customized Model 4003/S8 Bass
Date: 1998/02/01
Question: This answer does beg the question--how far behind is RIC? I know, I
know,
you probably cannot answer that. It's one of those nice little
frustrating things where you want to see more RIC products out in public
for sale (especially out on the East Coast, where I have yet to see a
Laredo or Cheyenne in the DC area), and yet you don't want to push it,
since adding more people many times leads to a diminishment of quality.
Answer: We're about 9 months backlogged (at least before the NAMM show which is
currently in progess). There are a few models, like the 381 series, that
are more like a year behind due to the requirements for premium Maple.
It's just a matter of hiring more people to make more product. . . it's a
whole system thing including components, machine time, floor scheduling,
etc. that has to be brought together, especially if quality is to be
maintained or improved.
Subject: Rickenbacker Model 4003: The "Redesigned" 4001 Bass
Date: 1998/03/24
Question: So could someone tell me what were the design changes that allowed for
the
accomidation of roundwounds? To me I'd imagine different fret material,
but
Smith's book mentions different wood laminations.
Answer: A completely new truss rod system was designed for the 4003 (and
subsequently all Ricks). While it is somewhat stronger, the main feature is
adjustability and how intuitive it is. The old system was actually quite
good, and I notice a number of makers now using something like our old
system, but you really had to know how to make adjustments. Not doing it
right damaged many otherwise perfectly good basses. The newer system allows
as much as 3/8" of over- and under-bow at the 12th fret, no matter how
heavy the string. Also, two new laminations with reversed back-to-back wood
grain, which you cannot see in the completed bass, increase the static
strength of the neck.
The fret wire was never changed, as we have always used the hardest alloy
available. An almost pure iron string like the Rotosound is going to wear
any fret material away more than, say, a nickel alloy string will.
Subject: Rickenbacker Model 4001 or 4003 Bass. Which is it?
Date: 1998/03/13
Question: Your previous remarks concerningthr production
dates of 4001, 4001S, and 4003 were as follows:
4001 - '61 to '86
4001S - '61 to '69, and '80 to '84
4003 (1st version) - '79 to '84:
truss-rod adjuster at body end and two-piece pickguard
4003 (2nd version) - '84 to current:
truss-rod adjuster at headstock
Am I reading this wrong then? You said this information is correct and
4001
and 4003 were never in simultaneous production. But don't the dates
here say
the 4001 was from '61 to '86 and the 4003 was from '79 to present?
Answer: Sorry, I didn't notice this error before.
The 4001 ended sometime during 1980, maybe even '81. That overlaps too, but
that's the difference between the catalog or price list dates which reflect
inventory, and actual production dates. Without a doubt there are even a
few 4001's with later serial number dates, which would been "stragglers"
through the production process or "clear off the shelf" goods.
Subject: McCartney's Model 4001 - Rickenbacker's Finest Year?
Date: 1998/03/23
Question:
OH! I hate his sound so much on that album. He's playing that Rick and
it
sounds so "ploddy" to me. I think it's because he's got his amp set in
what
would be the reverse-smily-face EQ. I think the reason why it bothers me
so
much is because it's the antithesis of Squire's sound which is what my
ears
consider to be THE Rick bass sound.
Answer: Paul McCartney has always insisted on using those German-made flat wound strings on
his instruments, while the rest of the world had (and since) moved on to
strings with some ring. Just as simple as that.
