Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Just from the pictures , a Badass I would work, if you were so inclined.

Cool! I am sure someone will take you up on that Andy.

So, install a badass bridge and Ric humbuckers, get to own a birdseye Rick with checkerboard binding...hmmm...But, the low impedence input would not work without correct pickups, no?

I don't know. It might be possible to tap the treble pickup in the same or similar way. Only JH could tell you if you could. The 4002 pickups are more or less sealed units. They are riveted together and I just can't bring myself to open a potentially irreplaceable pickup to find out.

Contrary to what I reported above, I was just looking at my 4002 and I see that there is, in fact a thin bit of maple under the fingerboard where the neck meets the body. The finish is very concentrated there and it is difficult to see through it. The strings run closer to the body than the strings of 70's vintage 4001's but are about the same as the strings on my '63 4001. There seem to have been regular subtle changes made to the 4000 series geometry since the begining.

Marc: Shall I release the hounds tomorrow?

If releasing the hounds means opening up your pickups, Nah.

I guess my real question is, what are you getting if you buy this bass?

Are you getting an instrument that will sound at best like a 4004?Nothing wrong like that, but I'm expecting one any month now anyway.

Yes the 4002 is historical as Rics go because of all the features it has and that it was largely ignored by Ric fans when it was in production.With that said, the lack of use of the low impedence input defeats one of the major differences between the 4002 and all other Rics.

Then I digress to the birdseye and the fact this could sell for a reasonable price....what to do, what to do....

Well, you could wait for one in better shape and let my bid stand! *smirk*

Naw, Dave, would rather make you sweat.....adds some enjoyment to the holidays...

Marc: No, I meant should I ship the Seligbass?

I,ve been debating this one all week too. Been looking at another fretless for some time and was either going to order a new one, or more likely look around for an old Alembic or such. This bass would work being both a FL and of course a 4002. Even though it,s not original, which is a shame considering how rare they are, it,s far too interesting and eclectic for someone like myself to pass by.

OK, Ted, I see what you're doing. Taking my mind off the 4002 so you can grab it ;>).

But, Yes, It's safe to return the beast.

No, as much as I love my 4002 and as much as I love project basses, I am going to leave this one to the forum. There are apparently several of you interested in bagging it. I hope it ends up here. If any of you missed it, one of our new members, Andy White, has offered the services of his shipping company to help reduce the transatlantic shipping cost. See the previous page. I offered my analysis as a long time 4002 owner to help anyone here who might be interested in nailing this baby down.

I,ve asked for better pics of the fretboard so we can hopefully see what,s going on. The serial number comes out as a 77 which means it must be one of the first.

The irony for me is that I normally wouldn,t consider something like this as it,s not stock, but because I,m on a major fretless kick at present it fits the bill.
Personally, I prefer the M/G and i,ve only seen two others. The flamed one on Bjorn,s site is just fantastic.
I think the majority of 4002,s (that,s an oxymoron in itself..) came in the walnut, apart from that white one that,s meant to exist..

Hopefully it will end up with one of us here. With all the generous offers, help and other expertise from Ted and others on this board and elsewhere, one can return it to it,s former glory as well...

Ted, as the only bidder so far... Would you consider restoring it for the right price for the high bidder? Sorry, I had to ask...

PS: I'll get you those 4005 pics tonight or tomorrow at the latest - I forgot to bring them to work - sorry!!!

The new fretboard pics have been posted. It looks considerable! I,d be interested to see what Ted has to say about it.