Reissue this blast from the past? What do you think?

[Ric N. Backer]

Found this old beauty on gbase.com - 1959 Rickenbacker 4000



http://www.gbase.com/gear/rickenbacker- ... 59-natural

I wonder how many of us would like to own something like this?

What do you think; is this something Ric should consider reissuing? It's certainly different from some of the other reissues (V63 & C64) we've seen or have in our possession. Ric could probably use a horseshoe pickup along the same lines as the V63 and C64.

There aren't all that many 4000 basses out there in tip-top-shape. Many have been converted and modified. Reissuing something like this '59 would be a welcomed treat.

I'd sure would like one! How about you?

[cjj]

Well, for a mere $21k, you could have that one there!
Very cool, old bass! I've got a feeling RIC isn't gonna be reissuing these any time soon...

[Ric N. Backer]

Well, for a mere $21k, you could have that one there!
Very cool, old bass! I've got a feeling RIC isn't gonna be reissuing these any time soon...

Well, in this economy, perhaps I could talk them down to $20,000.00

[ilan]

From what I've heard, those early basses were heavy, most of them have developed neck issues and hight action, and they don't sound as good as later 4001's.

I don't think a 4000v59 reissue model would generate much interest outside of this forum. Also, none of these basses was ever associated with a celebrity player, and I suspect that the majority of Ric bass owners today have never seen this model or heard about it. And it looks a bit like an amateur mod, with the guitar bridge/tailpiece and the not so elegant pickguard shape.

RIC could, however, make a 70's-style 4000 reissue with a bolt-on neck as an economy model... That IMHO will have a better chance.

[aceonbass]

It wouldn't be hard at all to mod a 4004L MG to look like that.

[rickaddict]

I think it would be a cool RI. Maybe not one with huge demand, but I'd check one out.

I think one of our fellow forumites is having one made out of a late 80's 4003S, btw. It would involve removing and replacing headstock wings and the upper body wing (maybe both wings...I'm not sure), but that's gonna be a cool and unique bass when it's finished.

[rickaddict]

Mine would have full string access, BTW!

[Ric N. Backer]

From what I've heard, those early basses were heavy, most of them have developed neck issues and hight action, and they don't sound as good as later 4001's.

I don't think a 4000v59 reissue model would generate much interest outside of this forum. Also, none of these basses was ever associated with a celebrity player, and I suspect that the majority of Ric bass owners today have never seen this model or heard about it. And it looks a bit like an amateur mod, with the guitar bridge/tailpiece and the not so elegant pickguard shape.

RIC could, however, make a 70's-style 4000 reissue with a bolt-on neck as an economy model... That IMHO will have a better chance.

Oh, I'm sure Ric could lighten them up and correct any early design flaws.

As far as celebrities that have used 'em..., Well, this will give someone a chance to make his/herstory!!

Remember, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I think this bass is absolutely stunning, and given its inherent anomalies, would garner a faithful following.

I say, "Do it Ric!'

[aceonbass]

I think one of our fellow forumites is having one made out of a late 80's 4003S, btw. It would involve removing and replacing headstock wings and the upper body wing (maybe both wings...I'm not sure).

At that point, there's not much original RIC content. The upper horn looks awkward compared to the later ones....not quite the right proportions. I'd use a 4004 so I had a minimum of routing to fill and so that I wouldn't have to refinish it. A sleeker, more modernized version would be nice. The RI horseshoe would need a custom bobbin though since the strings are further apart at that point on a 4004. I like the big gold pickguard and would use a cover over the Schaller bridge with plexi to make the mute functional.

[Ric N. Backer]

I think one of our fellow forumites is having one made out of a late 80's 4003S, btw. It would involve removing and replacing headstock wings and the upper body wing (maybe both wings...I'm not sure).

At that point, there's not much original RIC content. The upper horn looks awkward compared to the later ones....not quite the right proportions. I'd use a 4004 so I had a minimum of routing to fill and so that I wouldn't have to refinish it. A sleeker, more modernized version would be nice. The RI horseshoe would need a custom bobbin though since the strings are further apart at that point on a 4004. I like the big gold pickguard and would use a cover over the Schaller bridge with plexi to make the mute functional.

It's the "differences" that make it so unique and thus, desirable.

[jingle_jangle]

I won't be a party pooper, so I'll only say informational things in this post...

These basses were made from non-farmed maple. This means the wood grew naturally at its own pace, slowly and DENSELY. They are a full 2" thick, and weigh over 12 pounds or so. (Wish I'd have weighed the last one I had in. It was more than my old LP, anyway...)

The look of these oldies with their quirky guard shape and wacky bridge construction, is unbeatable!

[s4001]

The three of them I played sounded real nice, but that probably had to do with the heavy, dense wood. Big & heavy, they are.

[woodyng]

i'll have one,please! i love the look of the first 4000's,and have pondered converting my 74 4000- but can't bring myself to do it. (she's pretty unique,anyway) Dane's idea of converting a 4004 sounds good,as it already has a smaller footprint bridge,and the 2 tone headstock,but i think a 4000 would be better still as you wouldn't have to change the pickup/routing. from what i have read of the older models,i doubt i would want one even if i did win the lottery,but a more modern version with "that look",sure!

[johnallg]

The one I played was indeed big and heavy, with a thick neck. The horseshoe sound was very special though, full, rich, and round. These old 4000s look, um, seminal compared to even the 60s 4001/RM basses. If a RI was made but with all the modernizations, it wouldn't be representative of the 50s 4000 basses and then what's the point? At that point it would be smarter to convert an MG Laredo as Dane suggested, IMHO.

[antipodean]

It wouldn't be hard at all to mod a 4004L MG to look like that.

Absolutely - by far the easiest and possibly the cheapest way of getting the look of the original 4000 down.

Getting everything 100% correct for the purist is going to be very hard and very expensive...