Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

This is a mystery.

If there were some 4001-S models made for the US market, the only way to tell would be to have original documentation from the factory, for they would be identical in spec to a RM1999. McCartney's bass is known as a 4000/1 or a '4000+1 pickup', which is essentially what it is.I know for a fact that even in the late 70's the 4001-S basses were designated "4000/1/S" on the warranty cards.

Rose-Morris had their own model numbers but I don't know if the Radio-Tel documents reflect something different or not. There are some here who've seen these, and maybe they can add something if they choose....

Ironically, the only Beatle to play a Rose-Morris Rickenbacker was John Lennon who had a RM1996 as a spare for his '64 325 while being repaired.

Lefty, I don't know about them being all identical spec to the 1999. There's the 1967 on page 205 with two toasters. Anything like this could have earned an S tag.

Here,s my RM1999 residing with a couple of de-luxe guys, and still the centre of attention...

I like the look of that two toaster 4001S in the book. I think that is how the pickups should be located on the 4004 series. Like those on my 4005WB, which produces a great variety of tones.

wow,andrew i'm going to guess first one's a[72-73] the 1999 look's to be a late[64] or[65] because of pickup surround third look's to be a[68]without horseshoe it looks like it has long headstock no grover's[69-71]probably would have had grover's. nice.

I am well aware of Jeff's (JPS) appreciation of the curved horseshoes!

Duplicating that gentle curve is another story! Between the wind/rain (not good for AC GTAW welding) I am getting closer to that next level.

Jeff, we are almost there!

The two-toaster 4001-S was a prototype/design study and not regular production..it has more in common with the latter-day 4004 than a 4001 model of the period IMO. Still a very cool bass.