The B models

[bassduke49]

There's always something to learn. Here's a link to an (overpriced) eBay listing of a Japanese brochure for Rickenbacker instruments, purportedly from 1981, showing two of the "B Models," including what is described as the "4001sB". All this time what little information I was able to gather on the B model indicated it was the 4003sB, but it makes sense that the B model bass would have been "made" from available 4001S still in inventory in the early '80s, and some made from the new (at that time) 4003S. I'm going to have to change the chapter on the B model in the book to include a mention of at least this brochure and possible explanation. It's no secret that John Hall was not happy with the B series and discontinued it as soon as he could, then developed the more "accurate" V series in 1984. Interesting.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/rare-vintage-19 ... _936wt_473

[Lefty4003S8]

So.....Paul......this bass WAS actually available for a period of time???
Has anyone on this forum ever seen/come across one????

This bass looks like the forerunner of the 4001V63 PMC. The PMC model is hard enough to find.....I imagine this 4001/3sB would be EVEN harder to get.







Do not drink from the toilet when taking Lyrica

[bassduke49]

The one in the brochure is likely the same one that was in the Rickenbacker ad; likely a stock lefty set-neck 4001S with a Toaster. The "B" that I feature in the book is a 4003SB which has the split pickguard (with the accompanying truss-rod adjusters at the body end of the neck) and a Toaster pickup. My theory is that at least with the bass model, RIC simply added a Toaster pickup to an in-stock S model and called it a B. Apparently, there were still 4001S instruments in inventory in the early '80s, and if someone ordered a B model, they got a B model made from either a 4001S or a 4003S.

We tend to think of certain models of instruments as having certain features, but that may not have been the rule before JH took over the business. Perhaps inconsistency was one of the reasons JH was dissatisfied with the B model.

[Lefty4003S8]

Interesting stuff......Thanks Paul.










Do not drink from the toilet when taking Lyrica

[iiipopes]

Interesting stuff......Thanks Paul.
Do not drink from the toilet when taking Lyrica

My wife takes Lyrica for a variety of neuro-pains from more than one cause. She'll get a kick out of this one-liner. Thanks.

[leftybass]

The one in the brochure is likely the same one that was in the Rickenbacker ad; likely a stock lefty set-neck 4001S with a Toaster. The "B" that I feature in the book is a 4003SB which has the split pickguard (with the accompanying truss-rod adjusters at the body end of the neck) and a Toaster pickup. My theory is that at least with the bass model, RIC simply added a Toaster pickup to an in-stock S model and called it a B. Apparently, there were still 4001S instruments in inventory in the early '80s, and if someone ordered a B model, they got a B model made from either a 4001S or a 4003S.

We tend to think of certain models of instruments as having certain features, but that may not have been the rule before JH took over the business. Perhaps inconsistency was one of the reasons JH was dissatisfied with the B model.

That entire catalog has a bunch of cool 'oddities' throughout-- not only the LH 4001S with a toaster, but also the 320B with toasters and a white TRC and 'guards, the guitar had gold accessories in the USA; the FG 320 with an f-hole, almost in the 2pm position; the really cool guitar is the 370 JG with toasters, 21-fret neck and crushed-pearl inlay.....something tells me that if someone would have ordered that in 1981 it wouldn't have come in spec'd like that. Also, the 4001 Deluxe in FG was probably made in '73 or '74 judging by the way it is spec'd out.

[bassduke49]

Great info, John. I wonder if a lot of these were special orders for the major Japanese distributors while serving as test markets for ideas such as the "B" series? There have been other special runs done for the Japanese markets, such as the 2010 "RM 1999" and some 4003 basses a few years ago with checker binding.

[leftybass]

Great info, John. I wonder if a lot of these were special orders for the major Japanese distributors while serving as test markets for ideas such as the "B" series? There have been other special runs done for the Japanese markets, such as the 2010 "RM 1999" and some 4003 basses a few years ago with checker binding.

Well, as a 'man on the street' observing things, I was learning to play bass in the late 70's when the height of the 'Beatlemania' production was doing it's thing....as a young guy soaking up all I could in music and what gear was what, it was during this time that I started to notice 'changes' in the industry about what was offered for sale, Rickenbacker being no exception. Musicians like Geddy Lee were playing contemporary instruments (4001, 4080/12), but people saw those Beatlemania guys doing Beatle tunes with Ricks and the demand increased. Lenie Colacino (one of the Paul's in the original show) still has his '4000+1, LH' bass made for him by Rickenbacker for the 'Beatlemania' production.Sadly, John Lennon's murder brought even more focus on the legacy of The Beatles as well, here and abroad, and the gear was/is a huge part of that interest..

The Japanese have always had a huge fascination with American pop-culture and have a keen sense of what they want as product...You can see for many years what they have ordered from Rickenbacker, it is a pretty cool list of stuff.

The 320 in the US catalog, looking more like Fogerty's than Lennon's, went from being a blurb about being a "Liverpool favorite" in the catalog to the 1981-'82 B-series with toasters, specifically due to Beatle-hype....also the other B-Series models.

As far as what is in the Japanese catalog, I see a couple of things that were probably samples in the US catalog, like the FG 320; the 370 with the 21-fret neck is simply a vintage Rickenbacker used a model sample in the catalog IMO...the 320 may have had it's origins in 1959 as a 315, it has been discussed for years by those who follow the 3/4 Capris like Glen Lambert and myself.

[Eddie Dupont]

Hi,
Just rejoined the forum. I have a 4003SB, know everything there is to know about them, the inaccuracies, the good and the bad. I still gig with it and it is in pristine condition. I believe I own one of the first sold throught Maddy"s in NYC. I got it the minute it was shipped. It is more of a 4003S than a re-issue. Aks me some questions. BTW, it did NOT come with a horseshoe, and it has a ric-o-sound. I just wanted it at the time because it was the closest Rick to Paul's Wings 4001S.

[chrisdski]

Hi,
Just rejoined the forum. I have a 4003SB, know everything there is to know about them, the inaccuracies, the good and the bad. I still gig with it and it is in pristine condition. I believe I own one of the first sold throught Maddy"s in NYC. I got it the minute it was shipped. It is more of a 4003S than a re-issue. Aks me some questions. BTW, it did NOT come with a horseshoe, and it has a ric-o-sound. I just wanted it at the time because it was the closest Rick to Paul's Wings 4001S.

Welcome Ed. I am sure bassduke49 will be asking you lots of questions very soon

[bassduke49]

Yes, Ed, my principal question is the date of manufacture. If you can give me the date code (two letters/numbers at the "top" of the jackplate) that would be of help. I've received photos of only one 4003SB for the book, but recently discovered that the B series may have started as the 4001SB.

[Eddie Dupont]

VF 1590. Just to let you know, my knowledge of the 4001 is substantial and I can certainly explain every minor detail in the flaw or inacurate reproduction of the 4003SB. The entire deisign is 100% innacurate. It doesn't even have the headstock wings, and the two horns are overly wide and large. The tail piece has the two extra external screws for more support, no horseshoe PU, two inputs, has ric-o-sound, toaster is there, but at the 1" mark, not the1/2 ", does have the plexiglass nameplate, maybe a pound or two heavier than normal. I also have the first year (84) V63 FG and it is super accurate, and extremely different in design and color than the 90's V63's. These changed through the years during production in several ways, including the FG coloring.

[sloop_john_b]

Ed, off topic, but does your '84 v63 have a real magnetic horseshoe?

[Eddie Dupont]

Yes the V63 came with a SUPER HOT, (always made my amp over modulate), horshoe. It was super charged. I actually replaced it with a 70's stock hi-gain and sold the horseshoe in the 90's.

[Eddie Dupont]

Here is a pix of my 84 (1st year) V63. Notice the totally different Fire-glo color. I still use it often and the neck is very round like a Louisville Slugger and I love the feel of it.