Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

what is the scale of these basses

I never had one, but I think they are long scale, same as the 4000 series.

all 2000 series basses are the same scale as the 4003 4004 basses ... the 2030 has a slimmer neck ... the 2020 has a neck like the 4004 ... the first few years of the 2030 had single coil pickups the later models had humbucker pickups ... there was also a 2060 and a 2050 model ... I believe both of these had binding ... then there was also a Glen Fry 2000 series bass and a 200 series guitar ... the 2000 series basses had a body that was pretty much the same as the 3000 series bass ... the 3000 was a short scale bass 1 pickup bass and the 3001 was a long scale 1 pickup bass ... also the some of the 2000 series basses had what was called active electronics ... but it was really passive 2 volumes and 2 tone controls ... the tone controls were the traditional tone control where treble could be cut by rolling it off to ground ... but it was not just pots ... there is a whole circuit board in the 2030 basses ... my 2020 came wired like a 4004 ... toggle, volume, tone ... I rewired it volume, volume, tone ... there is a 2020 on ebay right now ... if it hasn't already ended ...

Here it is

http://cgi.ebay.com/Rickenbacker-Model-2020-Electric-Bass-Guitar-Case_W0QQitemZ200028134965QQihZ010QQcategoryZ4713QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

this bass would make a good 5 string bass

That's a nice one.

In short, the 2000 series basses evolved from the 3001, roughly the same shape, bolt-on neck, etc. Both were considered the budget Rickenbacker bass, as opposed to the 4000 series.

Inexplicably, the first ones were the 2030 and 2050, the latter having more deluxe features such as double-bound body and neck, and gold-plated hardware. In 1992 (?), the pair were modified into the 2020 and 2060, with the same wiring setup and maple fretboards as the new (at the time) 4004 series basses, as Jeff pointed out. They also have the sharp tear-drop pickguards. The odd-man-out in the designations was the Glen Frey signature edition 2030GF. It's not set up like the earlier 2030s, but more like the later 2020. Why they kept the 2030 designator is unknown at this time. In any case, all the 2000 series basses are the standard long scale.

Here's Gary Clauson's 2030GF, and you can see that it's setup like the 2020 but with black painted maple fretboard and black hardware.

And here is my Fireglo 2060, nice example of the top of the 2000 bass line.

I left my 2030 alone with a 350 and it mutated....Good thing I didn't leave it alone with the Pedulla.

So cool, Todd! I think it needs toasters though.

Todd, That bass is what the 2030's dream of being. If Rickenbacker offered these my order would have been placed yesterday. Rickenbacker has so many nice looking guitars its too bad that something like this isnt available. I love the 4001/4003,4005(still wishing for one), and I had a 2030 a few years back but really like the look of the 325 body on a bass. It makes me wish I had woodworking talent and could do what you did.

Paul and Todd, those pictures get me every time! Very cool!

Here are a couple more. On the left is Erik Kutzler's '77 Mapleglo 3001. Note the large pickguard and single pickup. Can't explain the three control knobs; hmm. Volume, tone, ??? Also note 4000 style tailpiece/bridge.

On the right is Erik's white '86 2030. Two pickups, two vols, two tones, microtoggle. Note the black hardware (bridge and tuners), black binding on the neck, and bubinga fretboard.

My basses sure look nice in those pictures. About that auction for the 2020 that ended today. I put in a nice bid before I left for the day. I came home to find that my bid was cancelled with the reason "entered wrong amount". Now the auction has ended with a lower price that when I entered a bid. WTF?

This really irks me.

Damn! I can't believe that one went for so cheap.

Maybe you should email the seller about it, Erik? Get it straightened out with eBay...that's messed up.