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4001 six?

Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2010 10:08 pm
by Tarrbot
I wasn't 100% sure where to put this as it's actually a good fit for our online sightings area but since the auction ended, I figured some good discussion here would be better.

I'm actually surprised to not see this talked about already, even in passing.

Anyway, long story short is that it's a modded 4001, obviously.
Up for auction is a project Rickenbacker 4001 bass made in 1979 that I bought off ebay routed for a Kahler and with no parts. I had the idea of make it a 6 string bass (E-E), so I got a new fretboard with crushed inlays, new truss rods and all checkered binding by Dale Fortune and it was drilled for six tuners and painted (and aged) by RS Guitarworks, but what I got was a bass that's neck is just to thin and weak for six strings tuned to standard, so I gave up on the idea. Change it back to a 4 or tune it B-B or what ever you want. I'm not making any claims to how well it will work or how it will sound, but all the parts are Rickenbacker including the toaster neck pickup. Just keep in mind this is a project and it has no case.

Please read and understand this bass is being sold as a project or for parts. It is not playable as it is now. As is it's best use is for bow hunting. Please don't ask me why I'm not fixing it or what it would take to make it work. It's simply an idea I had about three years ago that did not work and I'm tired of looking it sitting in the corner reminding me of the money I waisted on it. I know it can be converted back to four string, but I have three other 4001/4003s so I don't need another one. I just want to make sure no one bids and is let down of does not understand what they are getting.
body.JPG
head.JPG
pickups.JPG
tailpiece.JPG
Thoughts?

Personally, I find it an intriguing concept. It's probably only good for picking but it's an interesting concept...

Re: 4001 six?

Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2010 10:10 pm
by Tarrbot
More pics...
all.JPG
back.JPG
jackplate.JPG
neck.JPG

Re: 4001 six?

Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2010 10:18 pm
by rickenbrother
Poor thing started off life very happy with 4 strings.

Re: 4001 six?

Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2010 10:42 pm
by jamespaul71
interesting bridge piece though.

Re: 4001 six?

Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2010 11:53 pm
by sloop_john_b
I loved this project at the time. Too bad it didn't work out.

Re: 4001 six?

Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2010 12:01 am
by FretlessOnly
A RIC Bass VI.

How terribly unplayable. :roll:

Re: 4001 six?

Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2010 12:28 am
by marc61
I can understand the person's frustration.

Oh well. Guess we won't be seeing the 4006 any time soon :cry:

Re: 4001 six?

Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2010 1:38 am
by VRICKY63
Fender did it with the BassVI. Why not a Rickenbacker baritone 6 ? It might work on a wide neck 4003 but a 4001 ? No way.

Re: 4001 six?

Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2010 4:05 am
by weemac
A good idea and well excecuted, just a shame it did not work...

It may work on the next bass after all the 4008 is a 4001 eight strings and they work (sort of)

Eden.

Re: 4001 six?

Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2010 8:26 am
by ram
Could almost be a baritone guitar… a good looking one at that!

Re: 4001 six?

Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2010 9:11 am
by jps
marc61 wrote:Guess we won't be seeing the 4006 any time soon :cry:
There was a 6 string 4005.

Re: 4001 six?

Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2010 9:46 am
by cheyenne
Not bad, they lost me with the unfinished headstock and "cyclops" bridge lift solution though.

Re: 4001 six?

Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2010 10:07 am
by cassius987
VRICKY63 wrote:Fender did it with the BassVI. Why not a Rickenbacker baritone 6 ? It might work on a wide neck 4003 but a 4001 ? No way.
What I've heard from clips of Bass VI's was really underwhelming. I can't say I have high hopes for this idea either.

Re: 4001 six?

Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2010 11:07 am
by jdogric12
The Bass VI is awesome!!! You deserve a good glove slap to the face for that Josh! :lol:

Re: 4001 six?

Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2010 11:40 am
by sloop_john_b
Yep, loved my Bass VI. Sounded unbelievable.