Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Scott - yep I still have them and a few more besides. Will I see you at the Arlington show this year?

Scott I remember your quote from bassplayer about the Michael Anythony 4000, I don't know if they interviewed you or if someone quoted you or what but I never forgot that quote. Should have tried some flatwounds on it, haha!

Yep, I'll be at Arlington this year. Now that I'm a local I don't have much of a choice.

Bob, I was probably interviewed at the time. For someone who never did drugs my memory is pretty shakey. Between my lifelong friends and the internet it does all manage to come back to haunt me.

I didn't mean that quote to suggest the bass sounded bad. I had told Entwistle at the time that he needed one of these basses as it sounded like what he had always been going for, lots of piano like lows and highs.

Scott

Here is what the article said:

"Rickenbacker 4000

Rickenbacker introduced it's first solidbody bass, the 4000, in 1957. Early Rickenbacker basses are quite rare; fewer than 200 were made prior to 1964. This '57 40000 bass is serial number B7102, which designates it as the third 4000 they made (the model's serial numbers started at B7100). Most early 4000 basses featured a mahogany neck-through-body construction, but this instrument has walnut neck-through-body like those found on versions from 1958 to 1960. Note the single-piece headstock. Later versions had laminated headstock "wings." The horse-shoe pickup creates a bright tone, which "sounds like you're smacking a piano with a ball-peen hammer." notes Scott Jennings of Route 66 Guitars. Van Halen's Mike Anthony owns this Bass.
Photo by Jeff Veitch"

The same photo as Scott posted is in the article.
It appears to me that this bass does indeed have wings on the headstock in the photo. That is the article word for word.

Ahh, I remember now. Thanks for posting that, Ken.

This was back in the early to mid-1990s when Guitar Player started doing their Encore page on the second to last page of the magazine. I forgot they were doing it in the bass magazine as well. Jeff shot many of those, and many of the instruments were ours or from my shop. When he wasn't working as a world class photographer Jeff was my shop manager. (This was back when, as my friends like to put it, I 'used to be The Man.')

I do not remember if B7102 had headstock wings or not. I would assume if it says one piece then this was the info I gave them. I'm talking to Jeff about pulling his negatives, so I'll be able to tell for sure when that happens.

Sj

I have a color scanned copy of that page. My friend has the magazine. If I can get it from him I could scan it again to post a full page image. I don't think it would be worth trying to scan this copy as the background is pretty dark plus a copy of a copy...well you know.

I just received this from the seller:

"Hi everyone,
Thanks for all the interest and emails and research and information. We've learned ALOT from you guys. Several dealers/collectors have told us this may be a Prototype and a couple dealers/collectors have said its definitely not a Prototype. We've even had this bass referred to as "The Holy Grail of basses"--by 2 different individuals! Anyhow, after going through all the incoming information, it is our opinion that THIS IS NOT A PROTOTYPE. It is, however, pretty obvious that this is the 8th Rickenbacker Bass produced in 1957. Also of importance is that this bass HAS NEVER BEEN REFINISHED. It has been in the owners family since 1957--both her and her Mom are alive and have completely confirmed that no work has ever been done to the bass. There is original belt-buckle wear on the back about quarter sized as proof of never having been refinished. Anyhow, on to the story/history of the bass.
In 1957, Connie's mother (who does not want her name broadcast across the internet) played a Kay bass in her band The Western Melodiers (Connie has some slide pictures of this band which will be included with the sale of the bass). At a later date (1959?) she played in a band The Country Drifters out of the Rapid City, S.D. area (there is a couple pictures of the band at the Kodak site with her Mom holding the guitar--she's the shortest band member). A member of the Western Melodiers (Lyle Bollinger) owned a music store in Rapid City. He received a flyer in 1957 from the Rickenbacker Co. advertising a new line of electric bass guitars. Connie's mom immediately ordered one from the factory even before they hit the shelves/general public. She can't remember the original price, but ended up buying # 7107. She played the bass on stage with either the Western Melodiers and/or The Country Drifters--from 1957 to 1962. Since 1962 until present day, this bass has sat in its case in Connie's house. It has been played by Connie only on special family occasions at her home. She's a great musician and has several other guitars she's played at local establishments, but the Rickenbacker always stayed at the house and has been played only about 20 times since she got it in 1962. She knew it was a collectible guitar, but had no idea to what extent. She's taken great care of the bass which shows through in the pictures. As this is part of her heritage, Connie's main concern is not just $, but that this bass end up in a good home where it can be truely appreciated and cared for. If possible, she would like to be able to keep track of the guitar and where it ends up at. She is open to discussing the bass over the phone or in person with any serious buyers. We are very easy going and want this to be a feel-good happy transaction and keep things positive. Any confusion with our advertising has been my fault. Connie and the bass are as real as they come! There is a missing thumb rest WHICH CONNIE IS SURE IS AROUND AND IN THE HOUSE SOMEWHERE--- WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO FIND IT--but no promises until we actually do find it! Pictures, slides, and original band promotional poster (shown in the pictures) will be included with the final sale (as well as any additional stories Connie has to tell). I've included the link to the Kodak picture site which has some new and more detailed pictures. Please e-mail
[email protected] with any questions. Again...... GOOD LUCK!!"

Scott -- Have you seen these photos? There is most definitely the areas of wear on the body as he has indicated, but, are you convinced that it was never refinished or oversprayed?

I have the photos.

Am I 100% sure the bass has not been modified? No. All I've seen are the images everyone else has. Having said that...

Look at the crisp lines of the headstock edges in this shot:



You don't see that if an instrument has been sanded and refinished.

Same for the beveled edges around the body wings and where the neck/body and body wings meet in these shots:





I've exchanged several emails with this person, and feel that the story they are offering makes sense.

If I had the cash, which I don't at the moment, here is what *I* would do. I would bid 20% more than I can absolutely stand to pay for it. If I win I'd take the time to go pick the bass up in person and spend the afternoon getting as much of the history of the bass as they will tell me, and as many photos and documents as they have relating to it. If I had a problem with it when I get there, I could simply walk away.

You have to ask the important questions:

How many of these still exist?

How many are still being cared for by the original owner?

How many are still in this condition?

How many still have the bridge cover, or the original case, let alone both!?

And the most important question:

How long will you talk about that one owner '57 4000 bass that got away if you don't go for it? If the answer to that one is more than a week, do your friends and family a favor and buy the thing.

But that's just what *I* would do...

Sj

Scott, I wish I had the $$$ too. One of our own is the high bidder right now. Let's stay out of his way and hope he gets it. Best of luck to you, BS.

Winner MUST bring it to the confluence

YES!!!

Brian is the high bidder with 39 min. to go. Way to go. You won't find another like this.

$8439. with 13 min. left.

$10,200. with 9 min. left. EXCITING.

Hang in there, Brian! I'm out.