Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

... is the title of Lemmy's autobiography, recently published by Simon & Schuster (UK only, I had to order mine from amazon.co.uk, since it can't be found in the states). Easily one of the best-ever "sex, drugs & rock'n'roll" autobiographies, with *plenty* of each (Dave Davies' 'Kink' being another prime example), but unfortunately not much info about his basses. In fact, the only mention of Rickenbacker in the entire book is in reference to Lennon's 325 (Lemmy's always been a HUGE Beatles fan). He does mention one bass (which I think was his original Rickenbacker - he describes it as a favorite) being broken by his roadie, and another being stolen after filming for a tv show. At least there are pictures of him playing at least 3 different Rickenbacker basses (his first, which, I was recently informed by someone who would know, was actually a 4000 - not 4001s - with a 60's T-Bird humbucker in the neck position and retrofitted with two extra knobs [easily identifiable because the knobs are in a different configuration than a 4001 or 4003] which started life as fireglo, but was later stripped to natural; a later non-s 4001 or 4003 [white with white binding?]; and his current 4004LK model). It would be great if the book talked about his dealings with RIC and John Hall, and the process of designing a signature bass, but I can see how most readers would be more interested in stories about encounters with groupies, jamming with Slash, sending a flaming trailer into a lake for its viking funeral, appearing onstage with Frankie Goes To Hollywood, which producer did smack and which producer ate rabbit food, etc. etc. But a great read, nonetheless, if you're into that sort of thing (I am!).

Doug,

I've just got the Nov. issue of Vintage Guitar Mag.(Mr. Les Paul on the cover) which contains an interview with Lemmy(along with another interview with guitarist Philip Campbell). I'll try to type and reproduce the RIC bits for you to enjoy.

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VG: Bass players will want to know what you were using on the intros to "I Don't Believe A Word" and the title track of Overnight Sensation. The tone on those tracks was huge; presumably the latter song's intro was done on an open A string, and it sounded like it could have decapitated some listeners.

LK: (chuckles) It was a 4x12 cabinet and one of my Marshall heads; no effects... I was sensitive that day(laughs)! The bass was the new carved Rickenbacker [4004LK].

VG:Further details about your Rickenbacker signature bass?

LK:Well it's your basic Rickenbacker construction with the one-piece maple neck running all the way through. It's a beautiful dark wood, hand carved in oak leaves.
I think they've got one fellow carving by hand. They are kind of expensive, but I do think it's worth it; it's a really beautiful piece, with a great neck. I've got the prototype.

VG:And it has 3 pickups?

LK:Yeah, they made an excellent pickup. In concerts, I have the controls full up, and I use the bridge and middle pickups, for the most part.

VG:There was a bass solo on the '83 album, just before you went into "(Don't Need) Religion," and in the middle of it, you yelled out "The white bass!"

LK:That would have been a white Rickenbacker, obviously; I think somebody gave me one to use, but I must have broken a string on it.

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The interview touches on other aspects of Lemmy's song-writing and Motorhead's personnel shifts. Should make for an interesting read if you're a Lemmy fan. Get a copy if you want more of it.

Cheers,
Paul

It's nice to see that Lemmy approved of the pick-ups that Rickenbacker made for his signature bass. Years ago, I heard him blast Ric pickups as awful, necessitating immediate Bartolini (or whatever) replacements!

Now if Ric would take the checkerboard binding thay have leftover from the 4004LK's and make a few reissue 4001 Fireglo's....

John:"Now if Ric would take the checkerboard binding thay have leftover from the 4004LK's and make a few reissue 4001 Fireglo's...."

John, I'm totally with you.

Objets d'art these 4001FG with checkered binding would be.

Just picked up the Motorhead box set, 'Stone Deaf Forever' ($45 for 5 CD's at Richard Branson's shop is a tough deal to pass up). Needless to say, *lots* of great Ric photos in the booklet, but the most interesting thing is an 80s Rickenbacker ad featuring Lemmy with a 2030! (Sorry I don't have a scanner, otherwise I'd post some pics.)

Isn't Lemmy the guy who posed for the label on bottles of Armorall?

4001 FG with binding like this? Wide inlays would be nice but beggars can't be choosers!

Doesn't anyone agree that on the intro of Overnight Sensation Lemmy uses a chorus effect? I think it's rather obvious(listening to the track). Or can some one tell me otherwise?

What does anyone make of this one...looks like a maple fretboard.

A replacement board with custom inlays perhaps?

I just mentioned this book in another thread. It's a great read for sure. He lives a pretty eventful life. If you're ever in Hollywood when they're not on tour, you can find him at the Rainbow playing video games and pinball.