Bastille Day

[jakeox]

OK, it's a little late, and there will be a longer description of this soon, but here's the short version:

This is the 4002 that was for sale on craigslist in Vegas. The seller is a fairly well-known person associated with the band Rush (I'm keeping his name off the forum out of respect, but you can PM me if you want to know). This bass was purchased by Geddy and Alex as a gift to him because he couldn't stop playing Geddy's 4002. Although memories are a little fuzzy, the seller thinks that Geddy ordered the bass from RIC with this bridge on it (to match Geddy's). I haven't confirmed that with anyone from RIC, but I'll follow up with them when I get a chance. The bass has a UJ serial number -- late '81 -- which jives with the story. I haven't taken off the tailpiece yet to see what's underneath, but that may tell a lot of the story.

You may or may not recall that today is Bastille Day. Given the day, and the bass and its history, the first thing that I played on it when I received it tonight was, of course, Rush's Bastille Day. (Poorly, and by ear from memory, but nevertheless.)

More impressions to come, but this thing is really clean and nice.

[cjj]

Uh, like, WOW! Very cool! More pictures please!

[cassius987]

I am really happy for you and also extremely jealous.

[johnallg]

Wow Jake. What a buy, and with history! I like that tailpiece; make sure you update us if you find out about it.

Congrats!!!

[86kubicki]

Does Geddy's 4002 have that same bridge?

[rickaddict]

Does Geddy's 4002 have that same bridge?

Yeah, 'cuz if Geddy's has it then I want one for mine too!



You scored a home run with this one, Jake. I was very tempted, but I already have one and didn't want to be (more of) a bass hog.

What I can't believe is that the thing sat out there for at least 24 hours with no takers.

HELLO??!

Glad it went to you, and I hope you like it Jake!



And a BIG high five should go out to Dan Neyman for finding the listing and posting it on this forum so that one of us could snag it:

HIGH FIVE, DAN!
*SMACK!*

[jakeox]

Does Geddy's 4002 have that same bridge?

That's a good question. I always thought he had a badass on his 4002, and the two pictures I've found of it are inconclusive.

And a BIG high five should go out to Dan Neyman for finding the listing and posting it on this forum so that one of us could snag it:

Seriously. Dan, if you're ever in Chicago, beers are on me.

And thanks, everyone. I'll take some nice pictures as soon as I have a chance -- it's supposed to be rainy and cloudy here today, so maybe tomorrow. Maybe I'll check under the tailpiece tonight though.

[jaymi]

that is a "Stars Guitars" bridge. I don't think they have been made since the 80's...Jake that is a great score.....maybe some sound clips while you're at it.....

[markbass99]

Very cool score Jake! Personally, the 4002 doesn't do much for me , which can be a good thing financially. But I feel really good for those who "get" what the 4002 is all about and can actually get their hands on them, rare as rockin horse ****. On a related note, I'm pretty close to ordering two Dargie Delight II Bongo 5's with ebony fretboards, yumm, ebony. The future value on those could be as crazy as the 4002, or not.

[s4001]

Dayum!!! I don't think all this jealousy can fit into my little body.

[atomic_punk]

That's an awesome story....well, what you told of it. sure would love to hear the full thing. PM?
Hope you can get some kind of info out of RIC as well. That would REALLY be cool. Congrats!!

[atomic_punk]

And Mark, I am jealous about your Dargies. Would love an ebony board on my Bongo. Congrats on those too! (or TWO)

[woodyng]

that is friggin incredible looking! i love that bridge,too-i have never seen one like it before...enjoy that jazz bass pickup placement!

[doctorwho]

Congrats, Jake!

[cassius987]

But I feel really good for those who "get" what the 4002 is all about and can actually get their hands on them, rare as rockin horse ****.

Having played one example on several occasions (even gigged it once), I feel like I'm in a position to say posit my experiences. The 4002 is the most desirable vintage bass I have ever run across for tone, playability, versatility... it's exactly like a typical 4000-series bass on steroids. I absolutely love it and if it was still around today I think RIC might have twice as big a following, because while it is so very much like its brethren, it also has oodles of innovations found almost nowhere else in the line. The closest thing would be a forward-spaced 4004 but even then it's not the same thing, lacking the ebony board, the XLR out, VTVT, 21st fret (as I recall), etc. Just one of the utterly nicest basses I have ever played, and I've sought out many "boutique basses", and so on. They are fan-f***ing-tastic.

Oh and... congrats on your incoming MM basses! I think I may get a fretless 5-string Bongo soon.