64ish 4001 Reissue?

doubleneck · Post by **doubleneck** » Sun Jul 02, 2006 6:59 am

I remember reading somewhere that John Hall was giving some consideration to a 4001 reissue with deluxe trimmings. Such as checkerboard binding, long triangle inlays, walnut wings, toaster & horse shoe pickups, plexiglass thumbrest and the like. Any rumours out there?

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Sun Jul 02, 2006 7:22 am

we here were trying to talk him into doing a v68 ... like this one here ... http://www.3dentourage.com/425/68-ric-2.htm

doubleneck · Post by **doubleneck** » Sun Jul 02, 2006 8:16 am

That's a KNOCKOUT Bass! I think it would actually be more like the '63 on page 203 of Richard Smiths book. Only because of the non crushed pearl inlays.

rickcrazy · Post by **rickcrazy** » Sun Jul 02, 2006 8:50 am

Make that a 21 fret 4001 BG with pickups by yours truly (= me) and then we'll talk business.

Am I sounding too conceited? I hope not.

rickcrazy · Post by **rickcrazy** » Sun Jul 02, 2006 8:57 am

One-time forumite Grant Arthur's early 1971 21 fretter. Talk about the one!

walker · Post by **walker** » Sun Jul 02, 2006 4:44 pm

OK... that's a new one on me - a 21-fret 4001! Please, somebody fill me in. Where these done as a custom order from the factory? A limited run? Or did someone customize their own fretboard post-purchase?

Walker

bassduke49 · Post by **bassduke49** » Mon Jul 03, 2006 3:00 am

These were definitely factory issue, but must have been a limited run, probably "experiment." Most that have turned up appear to be 1971 production, but I believe there are some '70s also. Chris Squire had a Mapleglo for a time (maybe still does?) and Peter Levett in England has a leftie. The neck was about 1/2" longer to accommodate the extra fret (allowing a full four octaves to the E), so to keep the scale the same, the tailpiece/bridge was moved up the body the same 1/2."

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Mon Jul 03, 2006 6:45 am

Rickenbacker was constantly experimenting with ways to improve the instruments back then (and now). Maybe the 21 fretter was a possible way of addressing dead spots. A few years later they moved the neck pickup to the 1" space and started putting rectangular lead weights in the fingerboards to that end. Of course, the 21st fret could have been added simply to give the bass a full 4 octave range.

walker · Post by **walker** » Mon Jul 03, 2006 11:05 am

Amazing. THAT would be a find.

Walker

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Mon Jul 03, 2006 11:25 am

Hey Mark, noticed you're in NYC too, very cool! I'll let you know next time i'm playing - always lots of Ricks all around.

walker · Post by **walker** » Mon Jul 03, 2006 4:06 pm

Right on, John. Let me know... add me to your email list. And likewise, if you're in Manhattan tomorrow for the 4th, we're playing at 9:00pm at The Continental. Music at 9... fireworks at 10... is that how that goes? Well, for better or worse, we're playing at 9:00. Swing by if you're in the 'hood.

gratuitous plug courtesy of:
Walker