New 4005's ?

bassman · Post by **bassman** » Fri Nov 24, 2000 10:45 am

Landonion, the bass player - John Hall announced over on the Voxtalks.com site that the 4001v63PMC will be discontinued. There has been NO announcement about the standard 4001v63 being discontiuned todate! The PMC is the left handed version with a right handed headstock and nameplate, of Paul McCartney's original 60's 4001S. The 4001v63PMC was only available in Fireglo.
Like yourself, I hope (and trust) that if and when the 4001v63 is discontinued it's replaced with something better. Keep the faith.
Cheers

Landonion_the_bass_player · Fri Nov 24, 2000 11:24 am

Squirebass-My bass is a 1999year 4001CS-I guess it has the later "fatter headstock" but from looking a pictures of Chris Squire's original 4001 and other 4001V63's on the net and in catalogs It's hard for me to tell. I see maybe a little difference, but it must be subtle. I guess I would just have to see "like you have done with your 4001's" the difference by comparison. I still love them-thin headstocks or short 'n' fat-they all are awesome..Maybe Rickenbacker made this change as a matter of convenience. Maybe, if you are willing, you or somebody could post a picture to show the difference. Just for fun and reference....
Thanks,
Landonion the bass player

simer4001 · Post by **simer4001** » Fri Nov 24, 2000 8:16 pm

Bassman, I have a 4001V63 PMC in Mapleglo that is about a year old. Did it only become available in fireglo just recently?

squirebass · Post by **squirebass** » Fri Nov 24, 2000 11:23 pm

Landonion the bass player,
I have found some pics that I think illustrate the differences I am referring to(thanks to Mike Parks Rickenbacker Page). Not big differences I'll admit, but differences you notice if you are as big a Rick bass fanatic as I am.
This one is an example of the older thinner headstock:
http://netmar.com/mall/shops/muscon/r133.jpg
The next one is an example of the new wider headstock:
http://netmar.com/mall/shops/muscon/r142.jpg
If you notice on the second (wider) one the nameplate extends all the way to the top of the headstock. These basses are also the same models and finishes that mine are.
Don't get me wrong, I love all my Ricks, I just couldn't help noticing the difference, and I have a '73 4001 that has a headstock that is different from my two v63s!
But if you ever get tired of the headstock on your 4001CS let me know and I'll be glad to take it off your hands!!!!
-Squirebass

Landonion_the_bass_player · Sat Nov 25, 2000 10:03 pm

Squirebass
Thanks for the info...very intresting...and I love my 4001CS my one and only most favorite!..I would never part with her....The headstock is perfect too....sorry...

rick_j. · Post by **rick_j.** » Sun Jan 21, 2001 1:34 pm

i do not believe it would cost as much as mr. hall says. the R.I.C. company already has the body design for the 4005s,plus,they already have the tooling for the metal,cause they did used to make them!! plus i dont think he realizes the demand out there for this model. i think almost everyone who owns a 4001 or 4003 will consider buying a 4005,because of their beautiful styling,unique sound,and exclusivity. also,i think that the overseas market for this bass would be huge.so come on,mr. hall, reconsider and try giving it a shot. try a test market to see if i am right-i bet you will be quite surprised.

admin · Post by **admin** » Sun Jan 21, 2001 1:50 pm

Rick J: A while back there was indeed interest expressed on the alt.guitar.rickenbacker nerwsgroup, however, it was somewhat surprising that far fewer folks expressed an interest than you might have expected.

John Hall is used to turning out new models and so I would bet that his estimate is reasonably close. I agree that it is a nice instrument with a unique sound and history, however, the demand may not be what we would expect.

Finally, I would imagine there there is indeed extra tooling that needs to be done. It has been quite a while since one of these rolled off the line. Given current projects, I would guess that we won't see one of these instruments for some time. Perhaps John Hall will comment further.

SteveB · Post by **SteveB** » Thu Jul 05, 2001 1:58 am

I recently contacted Rickenbacker about reissuing the 4005 model (because I love them!) and was told that it was not planned, which I think we all know. I have been searching for the right colour, pickups etc 4005 here in Great Britain for around 5 years with no luck. If they reissued them it would probably be a case of buying more than one.
Heres an idea: general reissue of the very limited 5 string 4005!