Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Having been able to aquire a 4001v63 PMC recently, has got me thinking/wondering about Paul McCartney's Rickenbacker bass........

I have seen and heard it referred to as both an RM1999, AND a 4001 "S". Which one IS it.....really??????

To my mind, it should be an RM....it CERTAINLY looks like one. The ONLY real difference is the backwards headstock
( It wasn't an export which he purchased, it was built specifically for and given to him )

And as for it being a 4001S......WERE "S" basses in production at that time???? I don't know.........

Now of course, I'm talking about the way his bass looked ORIGINALLY. It really looked as if it was designed as an RM.

So.......what is it??????? Can someone please tell me??????????

Lefty4003s8




Do not drink from the toilet when taking Lyrica

Hi Greg....

Per the Radio-Tel doc sheet, "Qty.(1) 4000+1(pickup), Fire(glow), left-handed, serial # DA 23...."

Paul's bass was thought of at the factory as a 4000 Bass with an added neck toaster pickup......I'm pretty sure they just made it for him, and not simply a bass from the Rose-Morris orders. IMHO it is one of the first basses from Rickenbacker made in that configuration that we know of as a 4001-S or RM 1999.

I always thought it to be a 4001S just beacause of the missing thumbrest.

I consider it a 4001S as it was never exported to/imported by Rose-Morris; why would it be considered a RM1999 at all?

jps wrote:I consider it a 4001S as it was never exported to/imported by Rose-Morris; why would it be considered a RM1999 at all?

Can we all conclude that is is a Rickenbacker?

jps wrote:I consider it a 4001S as it was never exported to/imported by Rose-Morris; why would it be considered a RM1999 at all?

Between John's Radio-Tel quote and your logic, that for me defines it.

IvanMunoz wrote:

jps wrote:I consider it a 4001S as it was never exported to/imported by Rose-Morris; why would it be considered a RM1999 at all?

Can we all conclude that is is a Rickenbacker?

What's with this immature post?

jps wrote:

IvanMunoz wrote:

jps wrote:I consider it a 4001S as it was never exported to/imported by Rose-Morris; why would it be considered a RM1999 at all?

Can we all conclude that is is a Rickenbacker?

What's with this immature post?

It was a joke, sorry...

Well, never mind, then!

jps wrote:Well, never mind, then!

Maybe I should utilize those smiley more often! (There we go.)

That's much better!

leftybass wrote:Hi Greg....

Per the Radio-Tel doc sheet, "Qty.(1) 4000+1(pickup), Fire(glow), left-handed, serial # DA 23...."

Paul's bass was thought of at the factory as a 4000 Bass with an added neck toaster pickup......I'm pretty sure they just made it for him, and not simply a bass from the Rose-Morris orders. IMHO it is one of the first basses from Rickenbacker made in that configuration that we know of as a 4001-S or RM 1999.

This is very interesting information,(Radio-Tel docunent). Thanks John!!!
And yes, the info. I have claims that Rickenbacker made that bass for Paul.

Lefty4003s8




Do not drink from the toilet when taking Lyrica

John Simmons has it correct.

I think to truly be considered an RM1999 or, perhaps more properly, a "1999," the bass would have to have been invoiced to Rose-Morris and have taken the boat ride.

That said, I have found very little evidence that Rickenbacker named these basses "4001S," as a bass with these features wasn't even shown in catalogs or listed on price sheets until the early '80s when they still had a few left in inventory. And it now appears that some of those survivors were set up with Toaster pickups and formed the early "B" models when the folks at Rick developed that first "vintage" series. A Japanese catalog from 1981 lists the "4001sB" and shows a picture of a lefty set-neck bass in basic trim with a Toaster and the shedua strip in the neck only. When they were gone, the B model became the 4003SB, concurrent with the introduction of the 4003S in 1982. That's my theory, and I'm stickin' to it!

So, long story short, Macca's is not an RM.

Thank You all for the info.

The 4000 +1 toaster p/u idea explains the basse's look, and makes a lot of sense. Especially since Paul's bass had nothing to do with Rose Morris, and was given to him here in the USA.

I LOVE this forum!!!!!

Thanks
Lefty4003s8






Do not drink from the toilet when taking Lyrica

johnallg wrote:

jps wrote:I consider it a 4001S as it was never exported to/imported by Rose-Morris; why would it be considered a RM1999 at all?

Between John's Radio-Tel quote and your logic, that for me defines it.

Me too!

I would be surprised if any of Rickenbacker's records mention "1999" at all. They would have been 4000+1 and not a 1999 until in RM's hands.

The ONLY real difference is the backwards headstock
( It wasn't an export which he purchased, it was built specifically for and given to him )

IIRC, wasn't Paul's the first lefty?