4001S, Tell me about it?

cavernplayer · Post by **cavernplayer** » Sun Dec 10, 2006 1:07 pm

Can anyone tell me the differences in a 4001S as opposed to a 4003 and a 4001V63 please? Thanks.

cp

lars · Post by **lars** » Sun Dec 10, 2006 1:32 pm

4001S is a version of 4001. It has no binding and dot neck markers.

4003 is the current version of 4001. The main difference is that 4003 has improved truss rods.

4001V63 is a reissue of a 1963 4001(s). It has different pick ups (vintage "toaster" neck p.u. and reissue "horseshoe" bridge p.u. (Even if it is called 4001 it has the improved truss rods of the 4003.)

Hope I got it right... And welcome to the forum!

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Sun Dec 10, 2006 2:55 pm

Here is some info about the Rickenbacker 4000 series basses. I can't guarantee it is 100% accurate but it is a good source of info. This was written about 1999 so it lists some basses as still in production that are discontinued. And the 4001C64 is not listed either.
***********************************

by David Axt

4001 MODELS
4001
This is the deluxe two-pickup version of the 4000 model. The neck pickup was added to give greater tonal flexibility and greater bass response. This bass was originally designed for use with flat-wound strings.
Features: Bound body, bound Padouk fingerboard, triangle inlays, two pickups, separate volume and tone controls, mono-output, truss rods adjust at head. Originally this bass was only available in a Fireglo finish.
1961 - Introduced
1963 - Bridge with under string mutes was added
1965 - Black plastic seven-sided knobs with silver tops replaced all black Bakelite knobs
1965 - Mapleglo finish became optionally available 1965 - Three special six-string 4001 basses were produced
1969 - Ric-O-Sound became standard instead of an optional feature
1969(1971) - High gain single-coil pickup and cover replaced horseshoe bridge pickup.
1969 - Headstock was shortened
(????) - 9th dot inlay position marker was added in between the 18th and 19th frets
(????) - Three special 30 inch scale 4001 basses were produced
1971 - Starr Stowe was featured in the February 1978 issue of Playboy magazine holding an Azureglo 4001 owned by Gene Simmons.
197? - Some set neck basses produced
1971 - Grover sealed back machine heads replaced Schaller open back machine heads
1972 - Maple headstock wings replaced contrasting walnut headstock wings
1972 - Center walnut stripe running the length of the instrument was introduced
1972 - High gain neck single-coil pickup replaced toaster neck pickup
1972 - Clear plastic finger rest was eliminated
1973 - Schaller BMC chrome open back machine heads replaced Grover sealed back machine heads
1973 - Single color (white or black) body binding replaced block binding
1973 - Smaller pearloid fingerboard inlays replaced crushed pearl large triangle inlays
1973 - Pickguard was shortened by moving back from bridge pickup surround
1973 - Large bridge pickup surround was made smaller and more rectangular
1974 - Gap in center raised lip of bridge eliminated
(mid 70's) - Set neck design replaces neck thru design
1974 - Neck pickup was moved 1/2 inch closer toward the bridge pickup
1974 - Pickguard shortened 1/2 inch
1983 - Discontinued

4001FL
This bass is the fretless version of the 4001 model. This model was only available as a special order.
Features: Two pickups, separate volume and tone controls, stereo and mono output, bound body, 9 dot inlays, bound Padouk fingerboard, truss rods adjust at head.
1960 - Introduced
198? - Some set neck models produced
1989 - Reintroduced with dot inlay (????) - Discontinued

4001S
The designation "S" stands for "Special"
This bass is a simplified "no frills" model of the 4001. This bass is also known as export model "1999" sold in Europe by the Rose, Morris & Company.
Features: Horse shoe bridge pickup, toaster neck pickup, separate volume and tone controls, mono output, unbound body, 9 dot inlays, unbound Padouk fingerboard, clear plastic finger rest, truss rods adjust at head.
1964 - Introduced
1967 - Bridge with understring mute was added (1967?) - Bridge with under string mutes was added 1969(1967?) - Discontinued being sold by Rose Morris
1980 - Reintroduced as standard US model with center stripe walnut laminate, high gain neck pickup, high gain bridge pickup and cover, no finger rest.
1986(1984?)(1985?) - Discontinued (replaced by 4003S model

4001V63
Vintage Reissue Series
This bass is similar to the 1963 model 4001S
Features: Horseshoe bridge pickup, no body binding, mono output, 9 dot inlays, no neck binding, toaster neck pickup, contrasting walnut headstock wings, (Kluson style) Schaller vintage machine heads and black knobs. Available only in Mapleglo and Fireglo finishes.
1984 - Introduced
1986 - 8 dot inlays with 1 inlay removed from in between the 18th and 19th frets
1986 - Bass lengthened 9/16 inch to an overall length of 45 1/16" from 44 1/2"
1986 - Neck profile narrowed 1/16"
1999 - Currently still in production

4001CS "Chris Squire"
Limited Edition Series
This bass is the Chris Squire signature model similar to Chris Squire's 1965 model 1999. [Note: Chris Squire's original bass had finger rest mounting holes, different shaped headstock, different tuners, and stereo output.]
Only 1000 of these basses were produced.
Features: Horseshoe bridge pickup, no body binding, mono output, 8 dot inlays, no neck binding, toaster neck pickup, contrasting African Vermilion headstock wings, clear plastic back painted pickguard with signature, more rounded shaped neck profile. Available only in Cream Colorglo finish.
1991 - Introduced
2000 - Production completed March 15, 2000

4001V63PMC "Paul McCartney"
This bass was designed for the Japanese market and based on Paul's 1964 Model 1999.
Features: Horseshoe bridge pickup, no body binding, mono output, dot inlay, no neck binding, toaster neck pickup, large white pickguard, left handed only, right-handed headstock. Available only in Fireglo finish.
???? - Introduced
1999 - Currently still in production

4003 MODELS
4003
This bass is the improved version of the 4001 model. The improved 4003 truss rods in neck are designed for use with round wound strings.
Features: Two-piece pickguard, improved truss rod design, truss rod adjustment at body, triangle inlays, bound body, bound fingerboard, mono and stereo output, Grover sealed back machine heads.
1980 - Introduced (replaced the 4001 model)
1982 to 1983 Rickenbacker B Series of Fireglo colors (three-color sunburst finish: black/red/yellow)
1983 - Schaller BMC chrome machine heads replaced Grover sealed back machine heads
1985(1984?) - One piece pickguard replaces two-piece pickguard
1985 (1984?) - Bridge modified
1985(1984?) - Truss rod adjustment changed to headstock end
1988/1989 - Bridge pickup capacitor removed and replaced with a shunt.
1995 - Schaller strap lock system replaces standard strap buttons.
1999 - Currently still in production

4003FL
This bass is the fretless version of the 4003 model.
Features: Bound body, 9 dot inlays, single color bound Padouk fingerboard, mono and stereo output. (Refer to 4003 for specifications and changes.)
1980 - Introduced
1999 - Currently still in production

4003S
This model replaced the 4001S.
Features: No body binding, mono output, 9 dot inlays, unbound Padouk fingerboard, truss rod adjustment at body, two-piece pickguard. (Refer to 4003 for specifications and changes.)
1980 - Introduced
1995 - Discontinued in November

4003SB
This model is similar to 4003S and the 4001V63.
Features: No body binding, mono output, 9 dot inlays, unbound Padouk fingerboard, horns wider than V63, toaster neck pickup, clear plastic pickguard and logoplate. Only available in Mapleglo.
1982 - Introduced
1983 - Discontinued

4003S/5
This bass is a five string version of 4003S with a low B string added.
Features: Unbound body, 9 dot inlays, mono output, unbound Padouk fingerboard, Schaller M4 machine heads.
(1986)1987 - Introduced
1995 - Schaller strap lock system replaces standard strap buttons.
Still in production

4003S/8
This bass is an eight string version of the 4003S model.
Features: Unbound body, 9 dot inlays, mono output, unbound rosewood fingerboard, toaster style neck pickup, Schaller M4 machine heads.
1987 - Introduced
1995 - Schaller strap lock system replaces standard strap buttons.
1999 - Currently still in production

4003 "Redneck" or "Bloodstar"
Limited Edition Series
This bass is similar to the 4003 model.
Features: Ruby red finished fingerboard, black hardware, black pickguard and truss rod cover, 9 black micro dot inlays, Ruby red finished unbound body
(1987?) - Introduced
(1987?) - Discontinued

4003 "Tuxedo" or "Whitestar"
Limited Edition Series
This bass is similar to the 4003 model.
Features: White lacquered fingerboard, black hardware, black pickguard and truss rod cover, 9 black micro dot inlays, white finished unbound body.
1987 - Introduced
1987 - Discontinued

4003/SPC "Blackstar"
Limited Edition Series
This bass is similar to the 4003 model.
This is a Mike Mesaros (The Smithereens) signature model.
Only 200 basses were produced
Features: Jetglo finished fingerboard, black hardware, black pickguard and truss rod cover, 9 white micro dot inlays, Jetglo finished unbound body.
1987 - Introduced
1990 - Discontinued

4003 "Shadow"
This bass is similar to the 4003 model.
Features: Black bound Padouk fingerboard, 9 black dot inlays, black hardware, black old style knobs, black pickguard and truss rod cover, block binding, Jetglo finished body and neck.
(1986-89?) - Introduced
(1989?) - Discontinued

ajish4 · Post by **ajish4** » Sun Dec 10, 2006 3:20 pm

Jeff,

Thanks for your post. MOST EXCELLENT information...

Rickenbacker crash course in one post!

rickcrazy · Post by **rickcrazy** » Sun Dec 10, 2006 3:47 pm

Crash course, right. The above description on the 4001 bass has too many inaccuracies to be authoritative. Sorry. Get the facts right.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Sun Dec 10, 2006 6:40 pm

read the disclaimer

bassduke49 · Post by **bassduke49** » Sun Dec 10, 2006 7:38 pm

This comes from the Rick Resource Articles section and is dated. Inaccurate? Because it is dated and a lot more information has come to light since it was posted. With luck and cooperation, there will be a better reference about a year from now.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Sun Dec 10, 2006 7:46 pm

I was thinking about fixing the errors but some of the minor details can be hard to track down so I did a copy and paste ... for instance the high gain replaced the horseshoe in late 68 and not in 69 like listed above ... but he was close ... and there are several other details that are off by a year or so ... but if you look at it more as a general overview it does track several changes ...

it gives you the basics of what is an S bass ...

wints · Post by **wints** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 12:40 am

Slightly OT, but,

"for instance the high gain replaced the horseshoe in late 68 and not in 69 like listed above"

I had always thought that too, using Jeff's old September 68 bass with, and my December 68 without, along with others from this time as well for reference.

But, as usual from this period, there are no absolutes and a very early 69 bass has come to my attention that has an original horseshoe.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 5:33 am

ya the grover tuners came and went in the 70s and 80s ... I think they built with parts available in the factory ... and sometimes finished bass has to go back to be reworked to fix a minor flaw and that messes up the timeline sequence as well ...