Very first 4001 Bass ever

[Bas Möllenkramer]

A supposed very early Rick 4001 with the old pickguard layout. Is it real?

Hello everybody.
I am new to this forum, therefore it's possible this topic has been discussed before.
Many of you will be familiar with the earliest Rickenbacker basses from 1957 onwards.
The first bass from 1957 was the 4000. It's body contour is already familiar to everyone who knows and loves the 4001 and 4003.
However the pickguard, bridge, pickup and control layout was very different.
These vintage Rickenbacker basses are rare and collectible and of course I'd love to have one.
However, now comes my question.
I have seen a couple of photos somewhere online, showing a vintage Rickenbacker with two pickups.
So what I mean is the OLD pickguard and bridge layout exactly like the oldest 4000 models but with an extra "toaster" style pickup mounted near the neck.
What I want to know is: did this instrument really exist? Is this the first ever sighting of a 4001?
Or it the photo a fake?
The reason I suspect it's a fake is twofold. First off, is the rarity of photos online, only two from the same source.
Second, the number of controls in the photo does not correspond to the number of pickups!
So, to summarize, did the 4001 first see the light of day with the old pickguard configuration, or did it start life as we know it today?
Thanks to anyone who has answers!
Bas Möllenkramer
Owner and player of a nice red 4001 from 1975.

[jps]

This bass is quite real. A good friend, and RRF member has had this bass in his hands.

[T.A.R.]

Ah to dream the impossible. Jeff did it have binding can't tell from the pic.

[jps]

I have never seen it in person , I was referring to Mike Gutierrez.

As to your binding question:

[bassduke49]

Hello Bas, and welcome to the forum!

That bass is quite real. I believe it to be a developmental step in the creation of the classic 4001. It was made in November 1961 and recently surfaced and sold by Heritage Auctions. We believe the new owner is an occasional participant here on this forum. I'll be featuring a photo of this bass in my forthcoming book which will have a little more detail about it. I used the photo again in an illustration of the design development. The attached picture is of a preliminary layout for the page, and there have been some changes to the text and even the title of the book since then.

[Bas Möllenkramer]

Thank you all very much for your kind words and your excellent answers.
It's great to know that this thing really exists.
Of course now I have a new problem..........how am I ever going to own one??

Just kidding.
I will have to strike this off my wish list.
I am still totally happy with my lovely red 4001 which I have had for over 20 years.
I bought it for about 400 dollars !!!
Lucky me

Best wishes to all.
And when the book is released, please put me at the top of your list!
Bas

[bassduke49]

Thanks, Bas. I won't be able to "sell" the book myself, but it will be available at bookstores and for ordering online at Amazon and other vendors. There will also be an electronic version I'm told. I'm looking forward to seeing it myself! Should be sometime in early 2013.

[coolingitdown]

Paul, reading that page has me more excited than ever for the book! I can't wait to get my hands on it!

[ilan]

Just noticed the inlays are not full-width.

[bassduke49]

Well, they inlays did go all the way across but not to the degree of the later, full-production model style. This particular bass may have been a one-off, so it was an experiment on the way to the final design.

[T.A.R.]

Thanks Jeff, The checker board makes it, I love the look of whole thing. Paul I can't wait for your book to come out!

[jps]

Just noticed the inlays are not full-width.

As Paul mentioned, they are full width,however, the inlays go to more of a point under the G string so they appear to not go all the way across from a distance.

[Bas Möllenkramer]

Thanks, Bas. I won't be able to "sell" the book myself, but it will be available at bookstores and for ordering online at Amazon and other vendors. There will also be an electronic version I'm told. I'm looking forward to seeing it myself! Should be sometime in early 2013.

In fact I will be buying two books.
One is for my friend and fellow band member who owns and plays a hollow body Rick electric guitar. Wooden finish. Quite rare. Dont know the model number but can find out.

[T28]

Very cool bass. Anybody ever heard how it actually sounds?
One knob for volume and one for tone?

I too am waiting for Paul's book and while I am a big fan of electronic versions of books, when they have lots and lots and lots of cool pics, I prefer to hold them in my hands and not view them on a screen.

[rickboy88]

Hello Bas, and welcome to the forum!

That bass is quite real. I believe it to be a developmental step in the creation of the classic 4001. It was made in November 1961 and recently surfaced and sold by Heritage Auctions. We believe the new owner is an occasional participant here on this forum. I'll be featuring a photo of this bass in my forthcoming book which will have a little more detail about it. I used the photo again in an illustration of the design development. The attached picture is of a preliminary layout for the page, and there have been some changes to the text and even the title of the book since then.

Evolution.jpg

I'm looking forward to your book, Paul. I'd still love it if Ric would re-issue this older style 4001.