Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Ric apparently changed the pickup configuration on the second batch of Lemmy 4004 basses. Does any one know how much different the tone is between the two?

Any idea why Ric reconfigured the pick up position?

Here's a shop that has three in stock. One is from the early run. Nice!

http://www.pmblues.com/content/services ... ategory=20

Saw this and thought I'd include it for the reading faithful:

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=341238

I believe the bass in the middle is the early version, and the end cap basses are later versions. As far as I know, the neck pickup was moved up to the end of the fingerboard to allow the pickup route to double as an access pocket for the truss rod ends - a move Ric also implemented on the 4004L and the 4004Cii basses.
btw, I called them a while back to get a price on the Lemmy they had for sale......
Looks like I'll need to win the lotto to ever afford one of those.

As for the sound difference? Only a privileged few know that answer.

The middle one has pickup spacing relatively similar to my custom 4001FL. Although the neck pickup looks 1'' versus 1/2'', which would also mean the mid pickup is pushed around 1/4'' ahead of mine.

The main thing about these tonally, if I had to guess, would be the bright growl of the bridge pickup in the case of the ones where they are pushed forward, and the other would be the unique tones of the middle pickup as well; I really love how the middle pickup sounds on my 4001FL, warm but with a nice growl.

Interesting fact: no Lemmy (except Crisman's) has ever been out of it's hermetically-sealed vault long enough to be plugged in.

sloop_john_b wrote:Interesting fact: no Lemmy (except Crisman's) has ever been out of it's hermetically-sealed vault long enough to be plugged in.

Steve Wood plays his....

Ah, forgot Steve had one! Sorry Steve!

Gary Wilkinson plays his regularly also.

My Lemmy has seen some heavy duty rock and roll....

It just sounds and plays too good to stay in it's case!


Having it wired V/V/V/T was well worth it. Being able to balance in the center p/u really added to the available tonal range. Usually I just crank everything and forget it but while noodling around at home with song ideas it's nice to delve into some more subtle variations.

sloop_john_b wrote:Interesting fact: no Lemmy (except Crisman's) has ever been out of it's hermetically-sealed vault long enough to be plugged in.

Hey, I actually pulled mine out of the "vault" last week to show a friend. It spent almost 4 minutes out of the case!

johnallg wrote:

sloop_john_b wrote:Interesting fact: no Lemmy (except Crisman's) has ever been out of it's hermetically-sealed vault long enough to be plugged in.

Steve Wood plays his....

i had the pleasure of noodling a few notes on steve's lemmy when i barged into his lair. nice neck. very nice indeed !

86kubicki wrote:My Lemmy has seen some heavy duty rock and roll....

Great shot.

Where's Dorthy and Toto?

incubus2432 wrote:It just sounds and plays too good to stay in it's case!


Having it wired V/V/V/T was well worth it. Being able to balance in the center p/u really added to the available tonal range. Usually I just crank everything and forget it but while noodling around at home with song ideas it's nice to delve into some more subtle variations.

Rock'in the Lemmy. Way to go!

When mine was next to Steve's (I love the carving on Steve's BTW) it was painfully obvious to me how "used" mine looks. The gold hardware is heavily worn and some of the edges of the carvings/body are slightly rounded from wear. I take great care of it by keeping it well oiled and the hardware is wiped down/waxed after any heavy use but my ham handed playing is certainly taking it's toll. On one hand it makes me giggle like a schoolgirl that it has some battle wear but on the other hand I wish it was as new looking as Steve's. This is in no way saying that Steve's LK doesn't get used or anything like that (I am only using his for a comparison since it's the only other one I have had my mitts on)......I am just a bit jealous of it's more pristine condition. Maybe he plays his like an adult?!?!?

Closeup of Steve's Lemmy
Steve's on the left, Brian's on the right
Closeup of Brian's Lemmy