Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Ilan,

You got first dibs.

Cole

Ilan, I have a 78 azureglo coming??

Have never heard of a 4002 older than '76--maybe Geddy's was that old. Mine is a '77.

Smith says that the 4002 was introduced in '82 but that is simply not true. I remember seeing it in Rickenbacker brochures in the late 70's and I bought mine in early '81. I have seen or heard of several 1977's, nothing prior. Mine is a '79 and it hung in a glass display case here in Chicago in the defunct "Just Music" for just over a year. It was abused by the employees all that time. Customers were not allowed to touch it. I went to see it about every other week. Back then, Alembic was starting to get a lot of attention. Greg Lake, John McVie, John Paul Jones, John Entwistle and members of the Greatful Dead were playing them. I have wondered if the 4002 was not Rickenbacker's foray into the realm of "boutique" basses. Perhaps testing the waters of the emerging high end market. The 4002 cost 4 to 5 times as much as a 4001 and was entirely unprecedented in Rickenbacker history. Unfortunately, it just did not sell. I hear that It took more than 10 years to clear them out of inventory, if you can believe it. It really was ahead of it's time.

I wish I had a time capsule right now.

Cole

"... The 4002 cost 4 to 5 times as much as a 4001 [...] Unfortunately, it just did not sell"

Now I know why!

I played a 4002 in the late 70s at the guitar center in San Francisco ... I offered them my 1968 4001 as a straight up trade for a brand new 4002 ... then offered me an aluminum neck Kramer bass for my 1968 4001 ... I played the 4002 for a while and left with my 1968 4001 ...

A late '70s aluminum neck Kramer bass is exactly what I traded in for my Rick TR35B amplifier about a year and a half ago, haha.

A bit of a correction - a used 4001 cost back then between $300 and $350. New ones typically sold for $425 to $450. I have heard 3 different prices for the 4002, $1250, $1600, and $1800. I think $1600 was right for the time mine was new. At least that is what my local Rick dealer was telling people then.

The 4002 was introduced in 1977 or at least that's the first price list I see it on. It was offered as a high end model to take further advantage of the large market share the company enjoyed with basses at that time.

Ted seems to be dipping into that fantasy well again for his pricing info. In 1977, the list price for the Model 4001 was $588 while the Model 4002 was $1275, just a little more than double for an instrument with some huge upgrades.

The 4002's main feature was the bi-filar wound pickups with low impedence output, as well as the aesthetic features.

Given that we made hardly any of these models, I'm a bit skeptical about having any in inventory to clear out.

I'm not back yet- just highly allergic to baloney to the extent that I can't not say anything. But when I get back from China in January, I'll re-evaluate my participation.

John: So very nice to see your detailed reply about the 4002. A very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and your family.

Merry Christmas Mr Hall!

oops hope the PC police didn't catch that one...

Have a good, safe trip John.

Come on back and chat with all your friends here at the Forum when you return!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Thank for the input John. We'd love to see you back here on a more permanent basis!
And good luck over in China setting up your new factory.....

....just kidding!!!

How come you bassists get a post from JH? Us guitarists love you too Mr Hall!
Seriously...a very happy Christmas to you, your family & all in Rickenbacker land.