Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

4001 returns to regular lineup beginning January 2010 and starts shipping immediately. That's my guess.

Something even cooler than the C series?

Yeah, same modern body as the 4003, but with toaster, horseshoe and 1/2" spacing. Saves RIC time and money, streamlines the process to minimize the backlog, sort of overlaps the 4001c64, they already have all the parts so no further investment is necessary, and it would flip everyone out. Check, check, check, check and check. Just a guess though.

beefandbones wrote:Yeah, same modern body as the 4003, but with toaster, horseshoe and 1/2" spacing. Saves RIC time and money, streamlines the process to minimize the backlog, sort of overlaps the 4001c64, they already have all the parts so no further investment is necessary, and it would flip everyone out. Check, check, check, check and check. Just a guess though.

Yep, say a '64 4001 deluxe reissue. Call it a 4001d64.

jakeox wrote: Yep, say a '64 4001 deluxe reissue. Call it a 4001d64.

I've been saying since NAMMthat the new series would be designated as the "D" series . . .

But "D" can only stand for one thing --

DELIRIOUS

de·lir·i·ous (d-lîr-s)
adj.
1. Of, suffering from, or characteristic of delirium.
2. Marked by uncontrolled excitement or emotion; ecstatic.

beefandbones wrote:Yeah, same modern body as the 4003, but with toaster, horseshoe and 1/2" spacing.

Something like this, maybe?

Ehhh, it needs a real pickguard, not that sissy one!

I got one of them plain white one's, too!

jeffrey - have u assembled the prototype for them? that is one cool bass. hope the company one includes a "real" magnetized hs like yours.....

I like the idea of a Deluxe reissue. 1/2'' spaced Toaster, HS, checkerboard binding.... And a cool COY would be nice too. Greenburst would be good!

aceonbass wrote:I like that idea too, but I think the 1/2" toaster thing is way overrated. The routing in this area of the body removes a lot of material, weakening the bass, and resulting in shallow neck angles for a lotta basses. Even my 4004's have a slight deflection of the headstock upwards, and the route in these basses is an inch away and not as deep. One thing I like about the 4002's I've played is how solid the neck feels with the route so far away.

Both my 4001's and the 4000 that I converted had enough material routed to allow either a 1/2 inch or 1 inch spacing. The 4001's are '75 and '79 and the 4000 was '84. The routings were all factory standard as far as I know. All of the necks are nice and stable, if a little battle worn in places. I prefer the half inch spacing because of it's warmer balance to the harsher bridge pickups. When I use the Rick-O-Sound on them, they sound fantastic.

As for the C series, I can't see me "flipping out" over small modifications to the current 4000 series line. I think RIC are setting us up for something a little more exciting. At least I hope so.

I still can't afford whatever it is though. Paul W has all my cash.

I can't see a deluxe version of a 4003/4001 (4001/V68 for example). You'd only be competeing with yourself. If the uneducated Rick guy goes into a store and sees a new 4003 for $1800 and beside a V68 (or whatever the new one would be called) and it offers checkerboard binding and a slightly different pickup/spacing for $500 more I don't think you'll sell too many; it would be too close to a 4003 already produced. I put money on an RM reissue bass- satisfies those who like the plain jane Rick without binding, those that are thinking of a C bass but couldn't get over the headstock, those who want and missed out on the V63, and even those who desire the most recent collectible: the 4001CS. They could tweak it to cover all those, particularly if they offer it in a cream finish as well. And I still think we'll know in August!

To illustrate my point, try this....Assuming your neck is adjusted perfectly flat per RIC specs and holding the your bass in the playing position, fret the E string at the first fret. Now push the other end of the string down close to the bridge until the string makes contact with the 20th fret. Is the string parallel with the top of the body or aiming slightly downward? I'll bet it's the latter.
A V68 with checkered binding, a plexi truss rod cover and a Horseshoe pickup would most certainly not be only $500.00 more. Try at least $1000.00.

I'm with Dane, more wood is good.

I really want to see a new design or an extinct design brought back to life--not a reissue of a reissue of a reissue. The way I (admittedly a noob) see it, the 4001 is still here with us as the 4003, just like how the therapods evolved into birds*. Okay, no jokes about how much birds suck compared to dinosaurs please!! I set myself up for that one...

But seriously, if it's just pickups and 1/2'' spacing we care about, just make that stuff available in the boutique (or DIY like everyone else here). Most people know how to swap that stuff in and out without RIC tying up new models with it.