4001S - Worth A Look?

spongebob · Post by **spongebob** » Tue Dec 15, 2009 11:43 am

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Rickenbacker-4001 ... 19b880958f

Been having a look at this on the 'bay.

Price is a litte high? Looks original enough, minus the pup cover, and toggle switch seems to be white (should be black?) Obviously, all replacable.

I'm no expert on these at all - I'd just expect a 4001, minus the trim, etc.

How are the necks on these, size-wise? It's a July 1980 build.

I like the look, but I'm always wary of buying used without seeing. I suppose my other problem is the idea of gigging a 30-year old bass.....but I'm sure loads on here do!

Looks like a crack in the finish on the neck. These are bolt on? Could be a worry.

Any 4001S fans out there?

iamthebassman · Post by **iamthebassman** » Tue Dec 15, 2009 11:48 am

Looks just like my lefty '80 4001S I've had for many years, has a set-neck. Its a great bass with a narrow neck. I gig mine (almost)nightly.
The knobs are not original, FWIW.

rickenbrother · Post by **rickenbrother** » Tue Dec 15, 2009 11:52 am

There are very nice basses. I love mine, it gets alot of use. If the neck was bolt-on, it would be a fake. One of the pics shows that it's has a set neck. Mine does as well. These 4001S basses play and sound great and they have the Rick tone even though they have a set neck. The neck on mine is slim. I don't think that anyone here would play it and complain about it's neck girth.
Mine has a black switch cover. Switch covers are replaceable. I'd want to see more pics of that part of the neck that looks like it has a crack.
Mine from October '81:

spongebob · Post by **spongebob** » Tue Dec 15, 2009 12:06 pm

Thanks guys.

I like the way they're a little different, you don't see hardly any for sale (in the UK/Europe) anyway.

He says it's no minter, and a useable bass. The pictures don't look too bad - IMHO!

Price did concen me - but there's always the 'make an offer' thing going on.

I'm aware they were cheaper than the 4001's - but minus the detailing, there's not much real difference?

SIngle truss rod? Forgot to ask!

iamthebassman · Post by **iamthebassman** » Tue Dec 15, 2009 12:54 pm

spongebob wrote:SIngle truss rod?

Of course not.

BAD RONBO, KiLLeR DWaRfS · Tue Dec 15, 2009 1:39 pm

the finish looks hand sprayed with a spraypaint can. notice the rough porous finish on the neck and body ? beware.

iamthebassman · Post by **iamthebassman** » Tue Dec 15, 2009 1:41 pm

BAD RONBO, KiLLeR DWaRfS wrote:the finish looks hand sprayed with a spraypaint can. notice the rough porous finish on the neck and body ? beware.

I'm not seein' what you're talkin' about.

bassduke49 · Post by **bassduke49** » Tue Dec 15, 2009 3:41 pm

iamthebassman wrote:
BAD RONBO, KiLLeR DWaRfS wrote:the finish looks hand sprayed with a spraypaint can. notice the rough porous finish on the neck and body ? beware.
I'm not seein' what you're talkin' about.

Might be the rather large but low-res photos that are giving that impression. Considering that, it looks OK to me.

BAD RONBO, KiLLeR DWaRfS · Tue Dec 15, 2009 5:52 pm

iamthebassman wrote:
BAD RONBO, KiLLeR DWaRfS wrote:the finish looks hand sprayed with a spraypaint can. notice the rough porous finish on the neck and body ? beware.
I'm not seein' what you're talkin' about.

my apologies, bassman, i was assuming the jetglo 4001s was the one on ebay as i did not click the link. i assumed the jetglo was taken from that auction and the pic posted here. the finish in the pics looks matt and porous.

iamthebassman · Post by **iamthebassman** » Tue Dec 15, 2009 6:01 pm

BAD RONBO, KiLLeR DWaRfS wrote:
iamthebassman wrote:
BAD RONBO, KiLLeR DWaRfS wrote:the finish looks hand sprayed with a spraypaint can. notice the rough porous finish on the neck and body ? beware.
I'm not seein' what you're talkin' about.

my apologies, bassman, i was assuming the jetglo 4001s was the one on ebay as i did not click the link. i assumed the jetglo was taken from that auction and the pic posted here. the finish in the pics looks matt and porous.

Ah, that 'splains it.

We've been doing a lot of radio lately, I think we've been on "The Matt and Porous Show".

johnallg · Post by **johnallg** » Tue Dec 15, 2009 7:40 pm

Nyuk nyuk.

Thems that 'ave an S set neck love 'em. And the 4001 70s (80s) higains are great, IMHO.

rickenbrother · Post by **rickenbrother** » Tue Dec 15, 2009 10:36 pm

Sorry for the confusion with my black 4001S. I was just trying to show another example of the set neck. Yes, some former owner of it stripped it down and took a spray paint can to it, but it's a killer player that I never worry about accidentally scratching or dinging. Someday it will have a proper finish.

spongebob · Post by **spongebob** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 7:05 am

Some lucky buyer seems to have snapped this up - and paid the full asking price!!

BAD RONBO, KiLLeR DWaRfS · Wed Dec 16, 2009 9:08 am

rickenbrother... i thought the paint looked a little off...sorry for mistaking your animal for the ebay monster ! i had an '81-s with white trim.

just_bassics · Post by **just_bassics** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 11:23 pm

spongebob wrote:...Any 4001S fans out there?

Yea, I think there's a few of us around!

Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

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