Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

In observation of models, I see a lot of 4003s and 4001s around. Very few 4000s and 4002s. Were these models not as popular? Different? Just curious. Thanks.
Jack

I see lots of Fords and Chevys on the road, not so many Deloreans or VW-The-Things.

Yes, they're rarerer.

No, they are not so rare, as you can see them quite frequent here in the forum. It might be the 4002 is just a too heavy axe with it's ebony fingerboard so only few people play it and the 4000 just misses a pick up, so most of us go with the 4003/4001-thing

jack1953 wrote:In observation of models, I see a lot of 4003s and 4001s around. Very few 4000s and 4002s. Were these models not as popular? Different? Just curious. Thanks.
Jack

Of the people who play a Rick bass, by far, most have a 4001 or 4003.

The register has 73 4000's, 3,639 4001/3's, and 19 lonely 4002's. You do the math!

Very few 4000's, and even less 4002's, were made.

As has been discussed ad nauseum here before, the 4002 was really ahead of its time. For the late 70's and early 80's, it was a lot of money to pay for a Rick bass with wacky electronics. It reportedly didn't sell well and got dropped from the lineup as a result.

I like the 4000, but prefer 2 PUPs. My '78 could do with a bit more restoration, but it really does sound great.



I'm probably slightly more careful with it due to the set-neck - it doesn't seem like a lot of wood connecting it, but it's been around for over 30 years so it must be strong enough!

godber wrote:I like the 4000, but prefer 2 PUPs. My '78 could do with a bit more restoration, but it really does sound great.



I'm probably slightly more careful with it due to the set-neck - it doesn't seem like a lot of wood connecting it, but it's been around for over 30 years so it must be strong enough!

Man, thats a cool picture!

godber wrote:I like the 4000, but prefer 2 PUPs. My '78 could do with a bit more restoration, but it really does sound great.



I'm probably slightly more careful with it due to the set-neck - it doesn't seem like a lot of wood connecting it, but it's been around for over 30 years so it must be strong enough!

That looks just like my old 73. Man, I miss that bass; it could be awkward with some amps but it sounded killer through the right ones, by far the most aggressive-sounding Ric I've ever had.

henry5 wrote: That looks just like my old 73. Man, I miss that bass; it could be awkward with some amps but it sounded killer through the right ones, by far the most aggressive-sounding Ric I've ever had.

Ah - the fantastic sound of the '70s higain sans cap.

weemac wrote:Man, thats a cool picture!

+1!

gearhed289 wrote:

weemac wrote:Man, thats a cool picture!

+1!

+2!

rickenbrother wrote:

gearhed289 wrote:

weemac wrote:Man, thats a cool picture!

+1!

+2!

+3!

Agreed- my '75 4001 is a monster once I took out the cap! The bridge pup is alive and kicking now!

Always wanted a 4000, tho.

I love the simplicity of the 4000, but I never play without the neck pickup - it's either the toaster soloed or both pickups.

That pic above made me break out my '74 Rick 4000 and play it. Still one of the coolest basses ever!