Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Let's hear from 4080 owners out there! The 4080 is truly an awesome weapon. I've had one for twenty years now. It's a 1978 Azureglo with white binding and black pickguards & nameplates. The massive body of this beast no doubt contributes to its in-your-face bass sound. How many of these are out there? Who owns them? Was this model successful? Tell us about your 4080's, guys.

And, how big are your chiropracter bills from all those shoulder treatments!!

Well, could it be that I am the only one owning a 4080 in the Rickenbacker community? I refuse to believe that. Certainly there are a few of you out there. Make yourselves known! I've seen a few Rick twin-necks for sale on 'The Rickenbacker Page'. Don't anybody buy them? What do you mean, heavy and ungainly? Play them sitting down. I'll be 'listening in' for replies to this post. 4080 on!

Sorry to bring this subject up again, guys. I can hear many of you say 'Rickcrazy, you're really becoming quite a drag!', but I would really like to hear from anyone owning (or having owned) a Rickenbacker 4080. Also, how many 4080s and 4080/12s were made? What is the general consensus on this particular model? (I for one love it!) Mine has undergone a few (reversible) modifications. I'll expound further on these shortly.

Hey I wish I had one ... heck I wish I owned a roomfull of rics

Okay, let's talk about my 4080.
I bought it used in December 1982. It came with the original HSC. Although it was (is) near mint, there was a fair amount of rust on the jackplate which had obliterated the date code. A few weeks later I ordered a replacement jackplate (XX 0382) from RIC. From the date code (51th week of 1978) on the CTS pots I assumed my 4080 to have been built in 1979.
The finish is Azureglo. The original pickguards and nameplates were black. I ordered two white nameplates from RIC and made new pickguards out of white acrylic stock. I also replaced the fifth knob with a two-position mini toggle switch for stereo/mono and removed the mono output. A new, very strong ceramic bar magnet was substituted for the original magnet on the rather weak six-pole bridge pickup. Since the G and E strings on the bass neck were hitting the treble pickup mounting ring, I cut away a very small portion thereof accordingly. Finally, I replaced the original Grover tuners (they were coming apart - you know the problem) on the bass neck with a Japanese (!) set (brand unknown) which is quite fine indeed. I use flatwound strings on both necks, and this beast sounds really awesome!
Your turn to talk about your 4080s, guys.

Here's a 4080 from 'The Rickenbacker Page' to give you an idea of what mine looks like now.

http://www.the-music-connection.com/pics/r276.jpg

How heavy is the case for this monster? Does it come with a Sherpa to port it around for you?

Seriously - I'd love a doubleneck! Do you gig with it? I remember reading that Geddy loved playing his doublenecks because the weight made them sustain really well.

You wanna know how heavy the case for the 4080 Model is? You got it - 8 kilograms. The guitar itself weighs 7 kg.
Yes, once in a while I do gig with it. And yes, like I say in my first post under this topic, its sustain is awesome.
I believe there are a number of 4080s available at 'The Rickenbacker Page' (www.the-music-connection.com). Check them out. And have your checkbook handy...

OK - since this topic seems a bit dead - I'll carry a double-necked torch just for you!

Aside from the fact that it's awesome, and sustains really well, what can you tell us about the sound(s)??

Any marked difference in bass sound? Guitar sound? You've told us about the bass pickups, how bout the guitar's? Hi-gain? Toaster? Aftermarket?

Thanks, John, I appreciate the interest.

Well, my 4080 sounds like a 4001 and a 480 on steroids, as they say. Booming bass and crackling treble. I use flatwound strings on BOTH necks.

All four pickups are high-gains. I've replaced the magnet for the six-string treble pickup with a very strong one, like I said, and the magnet for the four-string treble pickup with a slightly stronger one. Bass and treble pickups are perfectly balanced now.

Sergio:
Is it difficult to play the guitar? With the bass neck on top is it difficult to get around the guitar neck? For that matter does your technique change on either neck?

I wish I had one, doublenecks are so cool.

'Is it difficult to play the guitar?'
Not at all. As I've pointed out in the thread 'Most Unexpected Rickenbacker Feature' hereunder, the pitch of the 6-string neck relative to the body is quite considerable (emulating the 480 guitar) which prevents the bass neck from getting in the way.
Although I'm not very proficient on 6-string guitar, I feel the 4080 is as easy to play as any Rickenbacker bass or guitar. It's a fascinating instrument. Do try and buy one.

Old thread, but I'm new here, so I'll post.

I'm the proud owner of a 4080/12. Bought it in a pawnshop in Nashville about 15 years ago; it is a mapleglo in mint condition with the original (massive) case. I've gigged with it a few times, and it certainly attracts attention. The 12-string is unmistakeably Rick....you hit the first chord and the jingle-jangle is exactly how it is supposed to sound. The bass is pretty much a standard 4001 sound, really indistinguishable from my 70's regular 4001.

Drawbacks....the thing weighs a ton. No way I can play it for an entire set. I also don't really like the configuration of bass on top/12 string on bottom. I am much more comfortable playing the bass slung fairly low, and with the 12-string neck being so much shorter, I don't find the sight lines or the fretting of the 12-string very good. It's interesting that when Mike Rutherford (Genesis, any need to explain that around here?) had his custom-made, he put the 12 string on top....which is what I think the factory should have done.

So, in summary, I love having the thing but I don't use it all that much because of the weight/bulk and the playability. When I was in a three-piece band, I would sometimes use it to hit opening chords (Back on the Chaingang and Heart of the Matter come to mind) and then quickly switch to bass. The few people in the crowd who were sober enough to notice might ooh and aah for a second, though. All in all, a fun collectors item but not the highest value/utility ratio in my collection.

Ah, a 'brother in arms', as it were. Welcome to the rather exclusive 4080 club, Les.
Care to share some pics of your machine with us? What year is it, by the way?
Hm, I think I'll check the local pawnshops on a regular basis from now on - I could get lucky.