A rare 4000

dave4004 · Post by **dave4004** » Tue May 13, 2003 2:59 pm

With Peter's kind permission, I'm posting a link to a thread in the Rickenbacker section of The Dudepit bass forum. This should take you to page 3 of "The Official Show Off Your Ric Thread": http://pub41.ezboard.com/fthedudepitfrm64.showMessageRange?topicID=14.topic&start=41&stop=48 . Note the 4000 pics on that page; the owner described her bass (in another thread) as "a 55 proto model rickenbacker that has a sliding mute that goes over the strings".

This must be a real rarity. Your opinions and comments are welcome, here or over there.

You should be able to see the pics with most browsers. If the link doesn't work, try http://pub41.ezboard.com/fthedudepitfrm64 and look for the thread.

wints · Post by **wints** » Tue May 13, 2003 4:19 pm

Smith,s book says the prototype went to the sales office in April 57. The first commercial model was made in June. The 57 had a solid mahogany neck, which was changed to walnut soon after. In late 57 they added the sliding mute. Smith lists 25 total basses for 57 and 58. Both the prototype and the 58 pictured in the book are mapleglo/natural. Even if it,s not the prototype this bass is one of the first made, and a wonderful find. It really deserves some good digital pics so we can all see the colour clearly, the neck/body/mute etc in detail... Serial number? There have been very few threads about 50,s basses...they are so rare, there is very little information about them. It would be great for the owner to come over to this site, and share with us this very cool bass ....

girlbassplayer · Post by **girlbassplayer** » Tue May 13, 2003 4:36 pm

I am the owner and I will upload more pictures

girlbassplayer · Post by **girlbassplayer** » Tue May 13, 2003 4:38 pm

I am the owner and I will upload more pictures

girlbassplayer · Post by **girlbassplayer** » Tue May 13, 2003 4:41 pm

I am the owner and I will upload more pictures

admin · Post by **admin** » Tue May 13, 2003 4:50 pm

Thanks Treena this will make for some very good discussion.

girlbassplayer · Post by **girlbassplayer** » Tue May 13, 2003 5:05 pm

The serial # is strange it has # AC255 on the bridge which is a 6 string bridge converted to 4 and on the Jack it has AC277 these are the only #'s on the bass, ask any questions you want...please

girlbassplayer · Post by **girlbassplayer** » Tue May 13, 2003 5:15 pm

What is this book "smiths" I would love to purchase a copy!

dave4004 · Post by **dave4004** » Tue May 13, 2003 6:06 pm

Hi Treena, it's Richard R. Smith's "Rickenbacker: The History of the Rickenbacker Guitar", available at Amazon and elsewhere.

It's on my wish list, but I keep buying bass gear instead.

dminer · Post by **dminer** » Tue May 13, 2003 7:33 pm

Treena, Thanks for posting your bass pictures and welcome aboard....that's gotta be the rarest/oldest 4000 that most of us have ever seen...be sure and register it on the Registration Page.

jwilli · Post by **jwilli** » Tue May 13, 2003 10:56 pm

AC 255 or AC 277 indicates a March '61 build date. Very nice example.

paul_yan · Post by **paul_yan** » Tue May 13, 2003 11:12 pm

Welcome aboard, Treena.
'55, '57, or '61,that's truly a gem you've got.

wints · Post by **wints** » Wed May 14, 2003 12:47 am

Treena, thanks for posting here...there,s a lot of us interested in these old basses. Smith,s book confirms the 6 string bridge, and as yours is a 61 one of the first maple necks. The body shape was slightly changed and was also made lighter sometime in 61. I,m sure I speak for most here by saying we,d love to see some digital pics, that enable us to take a close look at details that we can all use for future reference. It,s a lovely early bass.

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Wed May 14, 2003 2:13 am

Wow...What a find. B-youtiful. Welcome Treena.

IMHO I wouldn't worry too much about the different sn#'s being on the bass. When it was assembled they probabaly reached for the wrong plate, or just mis-stamped it. it's only 22 #'s off. A factory glitch.

WAAAAAHHH!! I want a left-handed one!!!

rickcrazy · Post by **rickcrazy** » Wed May 14, 2003 2:42 am

A fascinating (and rare) early 'new-style body design' 4000, to be sure. No way it was made in the fifties - it is from 1961. Take good care of it, Treena. And welcome.