Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Someone local is offering me their late 70's 4001 at a very, very low price even though it is in really good shape.
But I already have a 4003 (same color).
This would be a good chance to get another Rickenbacker, as I only have one, and what with the prices of new ones being very high these days...

But is a 4001 just a 4003 with different truss rod system and a volute and a fat upper wave? Or is it different enough in other ways that it would be worth getting, even if I have a 2016 4003 already?

If I were to get a new Ricky these days it would be a 4003s or a 4004. So this purchase seems redundant to me. But maybe there are things about the 4001 I don't know about that you all could tell me.

Thanks for the info.

There were gradual changes/improvements in the 4001 up to the 4003 coming out, and I never really understood why they changed model numbers. RIC continued to make changes/improvements to the 4003 up to today. Photos of what you are looking at will help us date the instrument, but examine the jack plate to get the date/serial codes for us to decipher. Also, if you want to study all the detailed changes over the years, there's a book on that very subject!

If it's at a very, very low price, buy it & see for yourself.
If you don't bond with it, flip it.

I reckon the thickness and shape of the neck would be the biggest difference. I'd probably prefer the 4001!

Yes, you need it because if you don't like it, you can sell it to ME!!!

Remember you said that!!!!
I am going to check it out tomorrow.

One with rounds, one with flats.

Isaac wrote: ↑Thu Jun 30, 2022 9:44 pm One with rounds, one with flats.

That's what I got.

jps wrote: ↑Fri Jul 01, 2022 2:49 am

Isaac wrote: ↑Thu Jun 30, 2022 9:44 pm One with rounds, one with flats.

That's what I got.

Same here.

Good point!!!

clasbas wrote: ↑Fri Jul 01, 2022 3:52 am

jps wrote: ↑Fri Jul 01, 2022 2:49 am

Isaac wrote: ↑Thu Jun 30, 2022 9:44 pm One with rounds, one with flats.

That's what I got.

Same here.

And here!