Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

...and anyone else with opinions...I found the recent discussion elsewhere on this site concerning Lemmy and the LK interesting...especially the relative 'success' of the model. What do current and past owners of 4080's think of this concept applied to these rarities? I believe there are considerably fewer of these out there than the 60 LK's planned...

Setting aside the volatile discussion of monetary value, what are your impressions of the 4080's intrinsic value as a guitar? 'Rare and Collectable' frequently describes the goofy as well as the cool ("...such a fine line between clever and stupid..."). My own opinion (from having played out with it) is that the things that can be done with it cannot be done without it (this could also describe a flamethrower)...I mean, I love the 4080's, but they're not for everyone. Susanna Hoffs would look like Kilroy behind one. (I mean that in the nicest way)

So what do you think? What are these things parked in our garages? Packards or Edsels?

If you ever want to get rid of the 4080 I would gladly take it off your (or anyone's) hands. Lack of cash not withstanding!
I think they are the ideal for anyone seriously interested in multi-instrumentalism (if that's a real word).
Incidentally, does anyone know how many were made (including 4080's & 4080/12's)?

My opinion (although I have never played one but that has never stopped me yet) is that they are too heavy and clumsy to really play as a first instrument especially as one is going to be too low and the other too high, maybe nice to take out for one or two songs but not for a whole night. Definitely a Packard: big, heavy, and expensive, but very cool.

I say Packards

First of all, I think they made closer to 200, but we will never know.

The sound of the 4080 is amazing.

In particular the bass neck. Be it that it has a bolt on neck, it still has great sustain.

(I believe) that due to the extra wood and the 5th knob, it is the warmest Ric (4001 type) bass I have ever played.

I currently own three. I just love them.

Besides Geddy Lee, (who I think played it live only, for 2 years, on two songs), I know of no one else to use it.

I must be honest;
I play out about 35 to 40 times a year. They are so heavy. I never made a full set using it to date.

It is my goal to get one in each finish. I have WHT, BG, and MG.

That leaves BLK, AZ Blue, Ruby and FG.

I do not know of another finish that they were made in.

One thing you guys should know: the 4 bolt neck plate on a 4080 is just for added strength, the necks are 1st fitted then glued in. Dave I'm all over your 4080. You'll have a 1 of a kind when I'm done with it.

Dale, God speed, I can no longer sleep at night.

Dave

Dale: With the permission of Dave and your kindness, I would eventually love to see a couple of photos of what you have done.

Me too Pete - me too !!!

If Dale was to grace the Forum with photos of his craftsmanship, it’s fine by me.

If Dale is to busy, I will surely post something once the project is done.

Geddy played his 4080/12 for more than two years. From '77 to '82 I believe. Yeah just two songs...

You're right, Nate. I've seen Rush every year since '82 and the Signals tour is the only time I've seen the 4080 come out....although on that tour it was only for Xanadu. What other song was it played on live??

I meant every "tour" since '82, not year....you understand.

Geddy played "A Passage To Bangkok" with it.

I will post pictures from start to finish, if you like. Later tonight I'll put some pix on the site. This will be a fun project. I can hardly wait to do the C.P. Inlays. I will also send Mr. Scott some pictures of his 4002, What a terrific instrument and the color makes the wood just come alive.

Thanks Pekka!!