Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

with this thread, i was wondering what was going on with this 4000 from april wine's bassist, jim clench, who recently passed on. note the late '50's short upper horn, but '64 type surround and '70's 4000 pick guard with tug bar !

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Ric N. Backer wrote:As far as celebrities that have used 'em...

I'm not sure whether they used them or not in recordings/gigs, but Michael Anthony and Tom Petersson own early 4000s.

I would really dig such a reissue bass !!! Will this ever happen ?

I like the designation "4000."

I also like the design, including the body and the pickguard. It has a '50's mystique that I find irresistible. I get the same sense when I look at the '50s pics in the "Gallery" section of the corporate website. It's part nostalgia, part something else I don't know how to pin down.

I hope that only the bridge and truss rods are updated when this is reissued.

I have a 4000 made in 1974 and it is a killer bass, no doubt. Set neck, high gain PU in the bridge position.

I would LOVE a 4000 RI but for me, it would have to be neck through and with a HS PU. A version in FG with a gold TC and pickguard would suit me just fine!

I think it would be kind of cool to do a limited-edition reissue series. This doesn't appear (to me) to be too complicated to just plug into a CNC. Ric could make, say, 100 of these - they would probably sell quick even at a premium price. Then maybe they could move on to other models. Just a thought, YMMV.

The original 4000 is right behind the 4080 on my wish-list of Ric reissues. I would want mine in the vintage ruddy orange non-burst FireGlo, one of my all-time favorite Ric finishes. A limited run of 100 or even 200 sounds good to me - I think they would sell out quickly, and would be a highly sought-after reissue.

if the factory were to do this,i would think they could use a 4004 body,with the standard bridge,and a single rihs pickup,albeit modified as Dane suggested. i would also prefer they use the longer headstock with the wider walnut wings,and not being a purist,the new 2 peice neck would be cool as well,although a 3 peice with the wider walnut/shedua center a la the 4005 would be tres cool.....(ok i am just taking a brief stroll through fantasy island,ok?) i like the idea of capturing some of the style of the 50's model with unique updates,especially if this were a limited edition type of thing.

ps i would want mine in amber FG!

Make mine with a 4003 neck please!

Definately makes me want to pick up a beater Ric, sand it down, fill the neck cavity, and get a custom pickguard like that made.

There were a couple of good beaters on eBay just a few days ago. I'd have picked one up but I can't justify another custom project right now even if the price is right.

plus they are usually 4001/4003's with all the wrong triangles,binding everywhere etc...ok so i am a little bit of a purist...

Oh yeah...the triangles. I meant to say a 4003S/4001C64 neck, please!

There was a really nice 4003s that Carl aka 'Jim Dandy' had listed here, and just sold on eBay. Too nice of condition to re-do, and I had just bought an amp, so I'm was a bit over extended.