Model of the Week 22: The 4004LK Lemmy Kilmister

[bassduke49]

It's now 1995, and strangely enough, the next bass to pop up chronologically (by way of official price lists) is the gorgeous and rare 4004LK Lemmy Kilmister limited edition. Now, I know what you're thinking, "they came much later," but it's true: the Lemmy first appeared on the 1995 price list. I don't have enough official information, so it is not clear if a prototype or a few were made right away, or if it was simply listed and the factory waited for orders. Legend has it that talented woodcrafters were to carve the intricate oak leaves and acorns into the flat-face walnut body wings, but somewhere along in the project, the chosen one parted ways with the company and it took several years for another to be assigned. It seems to me that the first production models came out around 2000-2002, and the first one I ever saw was Brian Crisman's at the Columbus Confluence in May 2005 shortly after he received it.

While similar to the 4004C, as mentioned, the body wings were flat-faced and featured checker binding. The oak motif carving is inset about 3/4" from the binding, and also has a flat "tongue" where the volume and tone knobs and microswitch rest. The neck plank is maple with a bubinga fretboard with special star position markers. This is the only production Rick bass with three pickups, all gold-trimmed humbuckers. The TRCs are gold-back painted Plexi, and all the rest of the hardware is gold-plated as well. There is no pickguard, and therefore no "signature" as applied to the Glenn Frey and Chris Squire editions.

Supposedly, the carving is done to a template, but there are some that are much different from others, with the leaves and acorns running in different directions. Also, there is some variation on the pickup positions; some closer together, some farther apart. I understand that the edition was eventually limited to 60, but I don't know if that was because orders were slow in coming, or if the production was so time-consuming that the company just had to cut it back.

I'm away from home right now, so can't post photos, but don't let that stop you. Let's post pictures and discuss the Lemmy this week!

[cassius987]

I'd sure like a chance to play one some day.

[spongebob]

I'm a massive fan of the man and his music, and his playing is perhaps the biggest influence on me playing Rics. In fact, he was also one of the resons for me getting a 4004 - I'd not really seen anyone else playing one!

I think as a player he remains under-rated - I just love the way he's always had 'that' sound - you know a Lemmy bassline from a mile away! There may be less notes per minute than your Geddy's and the like, but for me Lemmy remains the ultimate Ric player - the look, and that bass always sticking out in the mix.

He's created a fine body of songs and albums over the years, and remains a great ambassador for Rics. Celebrate by sticking on their latest LP, 'Motorizer', and get air-bass playing. How about some classic Lemmy pics of him and his basses?

Let's hear it for Lemmy, and the 4004L!!

[gareth]

Here you go, here's mine. No 26.

]

[incubus2432]

An LK in it's true glory where it belongs.....


The NAMM 2 p/u LK.....


The "clustered" p/u LK......


Mine (#21 of 60)......




With Hipshot 'A' bridge and V/V/V/T dual concentric pots installed (on/off toggle).......


And the reason why my gold hardware is heavily worn and why my LK does not look like a case queen.....

[spongebob]

[incubus2432]

I understand that the edition was eventually limited to 60, but I don't know if that was because orders were slow in coming, or if the production was so time-consuming that the company just had to cut it back.

Paul, IIRC, the LK was originally supposed to be limited to 50 units but due to some mix up with dealers more were ordered than should have been so RIC upped the edition to 60 to allow some of the "extra" customers a shot at getting one.

One thing interesting is that I remember when the LK was announced and I tried repeatedly to place an order but was told RIC wasn't accepting them yet. It wasn't until 2001 when Mike Parks was able to finally place the order. Others on the board have said that they placed their orders well before and had confirmation. I'm just happy I made the cut.

[86kubicki]

I understand that the edition was eventually limited to 60, but I don't know if that was because orders were slow in coming, or if the production was so time-consuming that the company just had to cut it back.

Paul, IIRC, the LK was originally supposed to be limited to 50 units but due to some mix up with dealers more were ordered than should have been so RIC upped the edition to 60 to allow some of the "extra" customers a shot at getting one.

The story I recall had something to do with a bunch of stores having their RIC dealership status taken away, which left some folks with 4004LKs on order in the lurch. RIC then extended the run to 60 basses to give those folks a chance to re-place their orders with other dealers.

Here's mine, along with a couple of factory shots:

[j_gary]

Here is a shot of #27.

She was born in October of 2005. I had ordered one in 96 at the list price, $1895 as I recall. It somehow got lost as prices rose. I found her at the "Music Zoo". Price had gone up a bit, to about that of a Buick. Well, a used Buick. It's always a buzz to fire the old girl up. Even the unwashed get all tingly when they see this thing. I get a lot of folks thinking it was some sort of home wood-shop project I put together. I wish!

She seems to like Marshall's.

[4003]

#29 On order for 4 1/2 years.

[4003]

I always liked the way the back looks. No one ever talks about the back!

[fretless]

Awesome !

[markbass99]

#29 On order for 4 1/2 years.

IMGP0016.JPG

IMGP0017.JPG

IMGP0018.JPG

IMGP0019.JPG

Cool picture! Before I blew it up to take a closer look I thought it was laying in the sand at the beach-

[4003]

Cool picture! Before I blew it up to take a closer look I thought it was laying in the sand at the beach-

This is the photo from the 2007 RRF Calendar. You can see the blanket more clearly.

[spongebob]

Anybody know how many Lemmy has got?

I did hear a rumour a few years back that he had sold one, but that was an 'unconfirmed' report...!

I've never heard of any of these in the UK, either. Anybody know any different?