Model of the Week 22: The 4004LK Lemmy Kilmister

[gearhed289]

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.

I believe JH said that they initially tried to do the carving on the CNC, but the programming was such a pain that they decided to just have it done by hand.

Very very cool basses, but a bit much for me with the gold hardware, star inlays, checkerboard binding, and carvings.

Incubus - GREAT shot of the Man! Doesn't get more rock star than that.

[paologregorio]

Cool shots! Thanks for sharing them.

It will be interesting to see the finished restoration of LK's original 4001 when it's completed. I hope RIC posts some pics!

[Mik]

WOW!!!
Those are real "oeuvre d'art", beautiful bass.

[rickfan60]

I had not heard before that RIC considered using a CNC to cut the inlays. I am guessing that would have been a long program to write and test. Doing them by hand was probably a lot faster.

[incubus2432]

I had not heard before that RIC considered using a CNC to cut the inlays. I am guessing that would have been a long program to write and test. Doing them by hand was probably a lot faster.

Plus I think the CNC would take away some of the character. I love how each one is different. Also seeing the tool marks in the details is pretty cool.

When they were initially announced I thought they were sort of gaudy.....kind of overdone I guess. I'm also not a fan of gold hardware. Over time I grew to appreciate the gaudiness and I started to find it more attractive. I've considered swapping my hardware to black for a more business look rather than the gold bling but I think the worn gold has a certain flair to it as well.

I'm sure other LK owners aren't too interested in mods but I can't stress enough how happy I am with the V/V/V/T mod......such a wide range of tones to tap into.

[nov_1981]

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

That's the first time that I've ever seen a picture of the back
Thanks for that shot Bob

[bassduke49]

The back of the Lemmy is visually identical to the original 4004C Cheyenne, and the first batch of Cii's that came out with the quilted maple top. Pretty indeed!

[daveman]

I'm also not a fan of gold hardware. Over time I grew to appreciate the gaudiness and I started to find it more attractive. I've considered swapping my hardware to black for a more business look rather than the gold bling but I think the worn gold has a certain flair to it as well.

Me three. The gold looks nice against the walnut. A good color combination.

[jnbass]

I had to wait a whole 3 days for this!

Gold and oak, what can I saw, I'm crass!

[gareth]

What you don't get from the photos is the playability of the LK. It's natural finish and thin neck makes it a very fast and easy bass to play. It's also a very light bass compared to my 4001's. I can see why Lemmy had a pickup surround put on his though, because after years of adjusting to them on the other 4000 series basses, it's actually quite hard to find somewhere for your hand to go when you're used to having one there.

The finish takes a little more maintenance than the usual RIC basses. Mine likes to drink quite a lot of Watco Danish Oil to keep it in good condition. About four times a year, I strip it and give it two or three applications. If I don't do that, the wood dries out and I have tuning and adjustment issues.

[thx1955]

These were taken at the very first SoCalCon, during our visit to the Ric factory in 2005, can't ever thank John Hall enough for allowing us the pleasure of touring the factory and the museum.

This is/was the sole Ric luthier who carved almost all the Lemmy's himself by hand, the ones we saw on the table were all slightly different.


A set of carved wings waiting to go back to assembly.


John Hall holding Lemmy 's actual bass that was in for a "service" As you can see Mr Kilmister had the good taste to ADD a pickup cover to this otherwise naked Ric.

[86kubicki]

A set of carved wings waiting to go back to assembly.

I believe this is the same bass.

[johnallg]

Interesting Steve, how does the other wing match up?

[8mileshigh]

A few pics of numbers 40 & 46.....................

[spongebob]

They are seriously good looking Rics.

Ah well, in my dreams..........!!