Rickenbacker 4004 LK

[bassduke49]

I'm pretty sure the two-pickup was a prototype, basically set up like a Cheyenne. I don't know if they went with three pickups on a suggestion from LK or what, but there have been at least two 3-pickup arrangements. There have also been a couple of wildly different engraving patterns used. I think most follow a template, but some were clearly way off the template.

[rickfan60]

Lemmy is said to only use his bridge pickup. Given that, it seems doubtful he would have asked for 3.

I think you are right Paul. The two pickup model was the prototype. The last few were carved quite differently from the first ones. A fact that was called to John Hall's attention right here on this forum, if I recall correctly. The carver apparently got bored and changed things up a bit.

[kiramdear]

... the outline of oakleaves carved around the edges if the face of the body. These were inspired by the oakleaves on the lapels of WWII German uniforms. I believe that was the inspiration for the carving on the 4004LK.

Whoa! Is that true?

[aceonbass]

Yes, it's true. While Lemmy is a collector of WWII Nazi memorabilia, it is a hobby that reflects his appreciation for the asthetics of the German uniforms and NOT the politics and policies of the NAZI party. This last point is one that unfortunately gets lost on some obsessed these days with political correctness and what not. Lemmy has said that "the bad guys always had the best uniforms. Napoleon, the Confederacy and the Nazis". Incidently, I'm pretty sure the bass in the pic I posted has three pickups. There is another one tucked in right behind the bridge pickup.

[kiramdear]

Thanks for clearing that up for me, Dane. I feel better now

I had thought it might be inspired by the Northern California Arts and Crafts revival of the early seventies, when interest in woodcarving, macrame, leather tooling and other handcrafts came to a peak. The design itself could have been inspired by a walk through Muir Woods.

Shows what I know. I'm glad Lemmy's OK.

[aceonbass]

Puff..puff..yea!

[kiramdear]

[incubus2432]

Here's the two p/u prototype.....


The three p/u version with "alternate" spacing.....


Some pics to show the carving detail.....

[rickfan60]

Hey Brian, do you have any insight on Lemmy's pickup preferences? I read at least one interview where he says he only uses the bridge pickup but that was a while ago. I wonder if it is still true.

[incubus2432]

Howdy Ted......I'm not sure of his current preference. I've read that he tends to just use the bridge p/u as well.

All I can say about it is that when I'm looking for the Lemmy tone I solo the bridge p/u and use my index fingernail as a faux-pick and it pretty much nails (pun intended) the tone......along with just a touch of overdrive. If the neck p/u(s) is in the mix it tends to thicken the mix too much. Of course this is with my rig/settings/technique......YMMV.

[rickfan60]

Doesn't he also jack the mids and cut the ends on his EQ?

[incubus2432]

Not sure about that.....sounds like it would do the trick though. A mid boost along with the highs being jacked a little by the overdrive, bridge p/u solo'd and a sharp picking technique should get pretty close.

I'm not much of a student on how others get their tone......I tend to go for "close enough". Even if I knew exactly someone else's settings/gear by the time my hands get involved it will come out sounding like **** anyway.

[rickfan60]

That's cool. I did not know if you were one of those to the letter types. Close enough works too!
I read that interview years ago before I ever heard a Motorhead song so I had no idea he played so many double stops and was more like a rhythm guitarist. I just recalled something about no lows, no highs (legal ones anyway) all mid.

[bb5000]

While I don't consider myself a Lemmy enthusiast, I remember reading or hearing about
him favoring or using solely the treble pup. Prior to looking up info on the 4004 lk
and the Guild (i used to and still kinda want one of those;
so cheesy but awesome) I was led to
the Lemmy Wikipedia entry and saw this :

He uses the bridge pickup exclusively (giving his bass sound more definition) and turns
all the tone and volume knobs on the bass up full. On the amplifiers, he turns the bass
and treble off, and the midrange up all the way, with the volume and presence up to the 3:00 position.

I didn't know that or hear that about his mids . But coincidentally I've been using similar amp settings albeit
not as extreme on the treble and bass, as of late.

Interesting to hear about the leaves on his original 4001, and interest in Nazi memorabilia.
I have a cousin who collects all war memorabilia but would dress visitors up in Nazi
soldier/ officer uniforms for a picture. ??? . I guess almost as interesting as incorporating
one's fondness of Nazi memorabilia into a bass.

The original carvings make for an interesting trim as well.
Perhaps it's the pics, but it looks as if he's using flats (look shiny/lacking the windings).

[rickfan60]

There you go then. I should have looked there myself. Thanks for that.