Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

After 25 years of searching, I found my 8th 4001 (the other 7 were played in the 80's), a 1972, well used, well played, and still up for the task! Ya, it's got a few replacement parts, but the electronics are correct. I'd been without a 4001 for a long time, and as soon as I started playing it, I knew I was home

Weird thing about this one is the finish on the fretboard is just about gone. I wonder if that may be a problem.. It still plays great and sounds like a Ricky should with Roto's!

Robin

Welcome home Robin!
Your story is not uncommon folks ofter return to where they started!
This is a great forum, not just for Rickenbackers but we also have one of the sharpest peanut gallerys around, so there are many laughs to be had too!
Stick around, learn more, and tell us of your Rickensperiences......

Eden.

Robinthebassplayer wrote:After 25 years of searching, I found my 8th 4001 (the other 7 were played in the 80's), a 1972, well used, well played, and still up for the task! Ya, it's got a few replacement parts, but the electronics are correct... It still plays great and sounds like a Ricky should with Roto's!

Ahh, lucky you, I think 1972 was a really good year for the 4001. I've had mine since 1975, and would never consider parting with it! Don't sweat the replacement parts (unless you're collecting it, not playing it), I bet mine is more modified than yours, and it still sounds right. I think it's the neck-through construction, woods used, and thinness.

I have the impression that Rics of that era were really hand-made, so there was a lot of variation between individual instruments. The neck on mine seems thinner than other 4001s I've played, what is yours like?

Welcome, Robin!

I too was Rickless for quite a while before buying a July '73 4001 in February '03 and then a few months later getting my '67 4005WB back from a friend who had it on loan for many years.

weemac wrote:.....we also have one of the sharpest peanut gallerys around.......

Eden.

Who you calling sharp?

Robin: Welcome home indeed. Congratulations, we look forward to your posts as you get reacquainted with your 4001.

Welcome, Robin, and congrats on getting a cool 4001!

Was the picture taken at a gig?

jps wrote:

weemac wrote:.....we also have one of the sharpest peanut gallerys around.......

Eden.

Who you calling sharp?

Ok, Ok, We have one of the sharpest peanut gallerys around, apart from Jeffrey, who likes to make rather blunt statements!

eden.

Hey, I resemble that remark!

Welcome home, Robin and welcome to the RRF forum family!

TY for the warm welcome

I have plenty of Basses I can play, but the 4001 is my first choice!

songdog wrote: I have the impression that Rics of that era were really hand-made, so there was a lot of variation between individual instruments. The neck on mine seems thinner than other 4001s I've played, what is yours like?

It's been a while since I've played an older one, and admit I haven't tried a 4003 yet. One reason I never liked any Rick I played later than about '76 is the neck on the ones I tried got thicker near the headstock. It may just be the ones I played, or a design change to allow strings with more tension. Mine is pretty uniform feeling all the way up the neck, and a bit chunkier than my Fenders, but narrower. I have a Geddy Signature that was my main Bass until I got the 4001. They are two different animals to play, but they have one, very interesting thing in common, Very low output Pups that sound great! One thing working out on the Rick has taught me is I have to be a bit more precise. The Ricky tone is so well defined that I can't slop through lines anymore, so it's making me a better player as well I do remember some of the '73's I've played in the past had a thinner neck than my '72.

My amp of choice, strangely, is also a model 4001 Trace Elliot 4001... '96 GP12SMX 1X15 combo. The two together are wonderful!

I have had a problem with my string saddles moving back and having the front part of bridge/ Saddles start contacting the strings. It's happened once, and it may have been user error on my part when I restrung it. I moved it back, and so far, so good!

Yes, the pic was taken at a gig, by the drummer. Thanks for all the questions, and I know I'll have a few more as well.