Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hi guys! I'm pretty interested in buying this guy but I'm a little cautious about spending so much without at least asking for a bit of advice.

Basically I'm just wondering if anybody would mind having a look and tell me if they think this little beauty looks alright/original and is everything it's cooked-up to be.

Thanks for your help in advance...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=220140792603&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=012

Welcome Todd!

This one looks all original to me - '83 is VERY late for a 4001 though!

The tuners are a bit suspect to me, but I defer to the tuner experts on this one (I have very similar oens on my '83 320, albeit guitar tuners).

The late 4001 models might have the wavy Grover tuners (as had some of the early 4003), which tend to fall apart. So this one might not have the original ones anymore.

From the auction: "the only issue being that previous owner increased the nut slot depths to accomodate heavy gauge strings. i re-strung it and with proper guaged strings there is some fret buzz on the E and A strings. so, i am including a new Rickenbacker nut."

If the bass was strung with heavy gauge strings for a long period of time, then I'd want to have a close look at the neck curve. 4001's were designed to use ONLY LIGHT GAUGE strings. Some can handle medium gauge. Heavy gauge can damage the neck. On the other hand, maybe the previous owner strung it with black nylon wrap strings, that are considerably thicker and will necessitate widening of the nut slots, but are still relatively low-tension.

If it was some of the last 4001 models the neck was already slightly thicker, still with the skunk stripe, but able to handle more heavier string gauges, I suppose. At least I had one of those without problems on a 105 set.

The tuners are correct; I believe the wavy Grovers were standard on 4001's and 4003's from '83 thru '84.

Wavy Grovers, if they are in good shape, are some of the smoothest tuners. I like mine a lot.

The seller is a forum member.

I've got wavy Grovers & they work fine. It's very hard (and expensive) to find replacements, though.

4001's were sold until 1985 and Grovers appeared sporadically during the early 80's, they were only standard in the early 70's. This bass looks genuine to me and neck thicknesses also varied for late 4001's and early 4003's so they's no way to tell how thick the neck is, none of them are huge though and the difference is not that big of a deal, a lot of it is the fingerboard thickness which varied back then. I had an 84 white 4001 just like that years ago with normal tuners, was a nice bass.
I have wavy's on a 72, I like them although I like the reverse tuners better, you can find replacements on ebay here and there. They used to put them on basses when they ran out of regular stock during the early 80's, you see more early 4003's with them than 4001's.
I had Fender flats (telephone lines) on my 78 4001 for a couple of years, didn't bother it a bit, that is unusual though.

Todd -

you have come to the right place, as that is my bass. i received it along side a seller's 4001CS.

the neck is good, quite slim. the frets show little wear.

i believe the only issues are the nut (included as noted), and the "bass tone" knob insert is missing.

the Grovers function perfectly and are not at loose.

there is very, very little tail lift, i would describe it as average in comparison to my other 4001s.

cosmetically, it was definitely a 'players' instrument. in good shape, but not mint.

as i noted elsewhere, i'll do free ground shipping for a forumite if they purchase outside of ebay (i'll send a paypal invoice or a money order would be fine).

hope that helps and welcome Todd!

welcome to tha forum Todd!

that is a very cool bass and i would have bought it by now except that i need to sell some gear not acquire it.

bryce is a super cool guy! i have done many transactions with him with no issues at all.

thanks Zack.

oh - and it is a Sept '82, not an '83.

i should have double-checked that before listing.

Hey Bryce, got your email and thanks, I appreciate the offer.

As sad as it makes me though (I always wanted a white one!) I`m gonna have to pass on the grounds that it would be fiscally irresponsible not to do so.

I`m pretty much in the same boat as Zack in that I`d have to run around like mad selling off other **** just to break even with my creditors (and that`s a dance I`m mighty sick of).

Anyway, I`m glad they finally made me register to read this forum. Evryone`s been so friendly and generous with their knowledge I can`t believe it took me so long to join in.

You're here now, and that's what matters! Welcome aboard, Todd!