Model of the Week Six: Rare, unusual, desirable - the 4002

ricosound · Post by **ricosound** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 11:35 am

Ric O'Sound wrote:
ricosound wrote:I'm another Wes that agrees they do not look as well balanced. I know they are special models and the figuring in each is lovely, I just don't care for the overall asthetics.
Well, my name isn't Wes, (but our usernames are very similar...could that be it?) however I also think the 4002 has got to be the ugliest bass ever produced by Rickenbacker. You couldn't give me one. Just as well, because they don't come cheap nowadays. I'm happy to let y'all fight over 'em while I sit back watch.

Rare? Yes. Unusual? Definitely. Desirable? Completely subjective.

I don't feel that strongly, It's just an aquired taste. I think the pickgaurd looks a little squashed. What would hve been cool with such attractive flame on each would have been to make them rear routed with no pickgaurd. Sort of an upscale precurser to the 4004 and in direct competion to the Alembics of the time.

ilan · Post by **ilan** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 12:33 pm

I like the 4002 aesthetics. If RIC ever offer a 4003 with 4002-style pickguard and pickup placement, I'd consider buying one just for the looks.

ajish4 · Post by **ajish4** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 12:54 pm

Well,

I hate to admit this, but I was never taken with the 4002 either. I EVEN passed one up for $1800.00 a few years back!

THEN, I played a few..............uh-ho......................it's like an Alembic & a Rickenbacker had an affair and produced this un-loved offspring.....that now EVERYONE LOVES! LoL!

Most of the time I play with my thumb planted on the neck pickup or the very base of the neck, so the 4002 never really appealed to me as a viable player....until I played one.

I'm SUCH an idiot.

I'd LOVE to get a new 4003FL with the kind figuring and walnut finish that was used on the 4002. WHEN I hit the lottery, I would love to speak to Paul W. and see what he can come up with along those lines. IDK if you can put a wood lam over an existing 4001/4003 and still make the binding work....and I love the Ebony neck as well. Another throw to Alembic. Ah, dreams are free anyway!

jon · Post by **jon** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 1:45 pm

ginger_lee wrote:
86kubicki wrote:Just curious - was the 4002 available in anything other than Mapleglo or Walnut?
to my knowledge no..just the 2 finishes i thought..i wanted walnut anyways so i was lucky i guess giggles

Seems to be just the two finishes. I used to think that this one was white, but I suppose it must be Mapleglo.

http://www.rushphotoarchive.com/concert ... _00_78.jpg

jdogric12 · Post by **jdogric12** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 1:58 pm

jon wrote:
Seems to be just the two finishes. I used to think that this one was white, but I suppose it must be Mapleglo.

http://www.rushphotoarchive.com/concert ... _00_78.jpg

Looks like white to me too, but I suppose the headstock gives it away?

rickenbrother · Post by **rickenbrother** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 2:05 pm

ajish4 wrote:I hate to admit this, but I was never taken with the 4002 either. I EVEN passed one up for $1800.00 a few years back!

I'm SUCH an idiot.

You shmutz!

cassius987 · Post by **cassius987** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 3:52 pm

Ric O'Sound wrote:
ricosound wrote:I'm another Wes that agrees they do not look as well balanced. I know they are special models and the figuring in each is lovely, I just don't care for the overall asthetics.
Well, my name isn't Wes, (but our usernames are very similar...could that be it?) however I also think the 4002 has got to be the ugliest bass ever produced by Rickenbacker. You couldn't give me one. Just as well, because they don't come cheap nowadays. I'm happy to let y'all fight over 'em while I sit back watch.

Rare? Yes. Unusual? Definitely. Desirable? Completely subjective.

BURN THE WITCH!! BURN THE WITCH!! ...*cough*... I mean... different strokes.

As for looks, I think they appeal to a different constituency, is all. If I could replace a 4003 pg with a 4002 pg I probably would. Of course I'd want it in black, along with my TRC and any binding, but if I ever do a refin, any of my basses I currently have will go "S".

If I had a 4002FL, I don't think I'd ever be able to put it down. My 4003FL is so bada** already that between it and a 4002FL I don't think I could ever leave the guitar room to go to work or school.

Ginger, I didn't know you got so deep into the jazz circuit, but I'm not surprised. I love your playing.

Could somebody expand on the "glue - sustain" thing that Jason mentioned? What are you talking about?

jdogric12 · Post by **jdogric12** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 3:58 pm

It's pretty simple. I never mentioned any "glue," but the 4002 is one of the rare Rick basses with a 21st fret. It's great not only for that high E to complete your third octave, but that means more wood too.

What I was talking about before is the big area of solid wood between the fretboard and pickups. On a 4001 or 4003 you would have a big ol' rout for the neck pickup. On a 4002, you don't, you get more contiguous wood for superior sustain to a 4001/3.

cassius987 · Post by **cassius987** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 4:08 pm

jdogric12aolcom wrote:It's pretty simple. I never mentioned any "glue," but the 4002 is one of the rare Rick basses with a 21st fret. It's great not only for that high E to complete your third octave, but that means more wood too.

What I was talking about before is the big area of solid wood between the fretboard and pickups. On a 4001 or 4003 you would have a big ol' rout for the neck pickup. On a 4002, you don't, you get more contiguous wood for superior sustain to a 4001/3.

Ah--that makes sense.

ajish4 wrote:I'd LOVE to get a new 4003FL with the kind figuring and walnut finish that was used on the 4002. WHEN I hit the lottery, I would love to speak to Paul W. and see what he can come up with along those lines. IDK if you can put a wood lam over an existing 4001/4003 and still make the binding work....and I love the Ebony neck as well. Another throw to Alembic. Ah, dreams are free anyway!

If you can snag one, a 4003FL with two Toasters is another sexy FL beast. I'm not as an*l about looks as some people--but if I ever have to do lots of work on mine, a refinish in walnut, "S"ification, tigerstripe ebony fingerboard, and black TRC/PG will probably happen.

rickaddict · Post by **rickaddict** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 4:18 pm

You also don't have anywhere near as deep of a route between the bridge and neck as the bridge pickup route on a 4001/4003. Not that the 4001/4003 needs any more sustain, and not that I've noticed a sustain difference between my 4001/4003's and my 4002. I've just heard someone (Ted) point it out, and it made sense. Where is Ted anyway? This thread needs him! Maybe if we all think about him, he'll pick up the telepathic waves.

Pfffft...."Calling Ted....Ted Staberow....RickResource to Ted....Come in Ted"...Tfffffffft."

rickaddict · Post by **rickaddict** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 4:23 pm

And while I'm at it...

Pfffft...."Calling Dave....Dave Pascoe....RickResource to Dave....Come in Dave"...Tfffffffft.

dswp · Post by **dswp** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 5:49 pm

Reporting for duty Mr. Thomas...

ajish4 · Post by **ajish4** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 6:30 pm

BEAUTIFUL.

rickenbrother · Post by **rickenbrother** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 6:43 pm

ajish4 wrote:BEAUTIFUL.

+1
I don't know anyone could think it isn't!

ginger_lee · Post by **ginger_lee** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 6:44 pm

Giggles I dont care what you all say..my 4002fl is the nicest fretless ive ever played..i was going for an alembic or something when i saw a 4002 in the catalogue..i ordered it without ever playing one..ive never been disappointed.
as far as balance goes..mine is perfectly balanced..i can rest the heel of the neck by the body on my fist and itll sit there without a waver in either direction til the cows come home.
Also,,being such a Jaco disciple..i need a bridge pickup..precisions an 4001s etc just dont have the cello tone im looking for..fender jazz does of course..and my 4002..as far as others..i hate active electronics so that cuts many of them out..i dont like those bubinga or whatever exotic woods ..theres no response its like the bass is made of concrete..the ebony on maple is ideal..but..p'raps its just me..i think this bass was made for me..i always said she was one of a kind ..i never really knew how close that was to reality.

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Model of the Week Six: Rare, unusual, desirable - the 4002

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