Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Just saw this on E-Bay, looks like a 4002 and the seller doesn't know it.

What is the consensus on the value of one of these?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=913984462

That doesn't look like a 4002 to me. Looks like a 1972 or '73 Rick that has been tragically modified! I'd say with the cracked headstock and heavy mods it would go for something less than $1000.

I agree with Gene, the one on eBay is most definitely not a 4002 (I have a 4002 Autumnglo, so I should know). The sellers obviously don't know that the pickguard and nut aren't original; however, their reserve sounds like they know it's no "collector's guitar".

It wouldn't be a bad project bass for one of those folks who happen to love those wide, thin necks on 4001s from that era (I'm a proud member of that group, but I recently got my hands on a '71). It could probably be fixed up pretty well so you wouldn't notice the crack near the headstock, and its got the wide inlays and checkboard binding! Is that a toaster in the bridge pickup position? Whata shame to butcher a bass like that just to put another Rick pu on it!
Sad!!!

I feel the same way you do. Why don't they butcher a d**n fake instead?

I feel that the mods look cool. It looks like it would make a good player for the guys who play with their fingers as opposed to a pick. I bet this bass sounds real good. I always felt that the horseshoe was always in the sweet spot for finger players. Rickenbacker may be able to steal some Fender players if they were to come out with an active version of a bass like this.

Well I don't think it's that bad. It's not like they replaced a horseshoe pickup. The mother of toilet seat pickguard is a little gaudy though. It's not like it couldn't be returned to stock or that it's a 1 of 6 produced bass or something. If you play with your fingers a lot the stock pickup assembly would get in the way. Another toaster top and more Rickenbacker looking pickguard would make for an interesting bass.

Does anybody have a link or picture of a 4002, for future reference?

Here you go John. 1981 Model 4002

Thanks.

There was a 4002 on ebay a few weeks ago that looked very nice. I was the high bidder at $2025, but the reserve wasn't met. I have a feeling the guy wanted upwards of $2500 for it.

Peter, that's a Beautiful bass! Is it yours or is the photo from a Ric catalog?

It's from their 1981 catalogue. I happen to have a copy which I ordered from the Company in May of that year. Like any Rickenbacker bass, the 4002 is ravishing. I wish they would reissue it.

How does it sound?

I had been looking for a 4005 and and came across a fretless 4002 (autumnglo) at rhodes music. He wanted $2000 for it I tried to talk him down but and he was willing to if I came to pick it up. That wasn't cost effective for me and much to his credit and my joy he did give me a bit of a break as he included the shipping cost in that 2k.

The-music-connection.com usually lists their 4002s in the $3300 range (much as most 4005s I've seen). I looked it up in the guitar blue book (I believe it was a 1996 edition) and the 4002 was listed as $795. A bit disappointing but I still feel like I got a fair shake. It feels like the bass that I was born to play. I

How does it sound?...I have GHS Brite Flats on it (these are ground round/half round type strings).
Quite a bit more high-end than flat wounds. I also tune it CGDG (I believe the C is a .128).

It's the first (and so far only) rick that I've owned. From memory it has the "standard" 4001 features: nice sustain, nice piano-like overtones, excellent clack. I'm sure that the tone is a bit different due to the high gain pickups and their alternate placements. And of course it's got that growl .

I'll try to track down a 4001 and do a side by side. I know that there is a 4002 review posted at http://www.harmony-central.com. It makes my 74 jazz sound guitar-ish.