New rickenbacker 4002 model bass...
Moderators: rickenbrother, ajish4
-
rick_j
New rickenbacker 4002 model bass...
this question is for john hall, although anyone certainly can respond. why doesnt rickenbacker start making the 4002 model again? from everything i have read or heard, it was their nicest(fanciest) bass, and had a real nice sound. i am sure there would be a demand for it--just look at how they get snatched up whenever one comes along. and i dont think the price to bring this model to market would be that bad, since there are only a few differences from the 4003 models. lets hear some feedback on this.
Here's some info that I've gathered over the past couple of years about the 4002. A dead-on reproduction will probably never be done because:
1) The fretboard is ebony, and many varieties of the wood are on the endangered species list. John Hall has stated that Rickenbacker now uses only farm sustainable woods in the manufacturing of its instruments.
2) The production ended about '84, when John took over and apparently slashed a lot of slow movers from the product line. The 4002 was a slow mover, most likely because of it's price: $1275.00 in 1977. The line was never conceived as a Limited Edition, rather its low production numbers stemmed from low consumer demand. People wanted a bass like Geddy's 4001. A reissue 4002 bass would probably cost about the same as a reissue 4005, a bass for which there seems to be a lot more consumer interest.
3) The bass pickups are different in that they are 'bifiliar': I've taken this to mean that they're not only wound hum-cancelling, but there's yet another isolated 'set' of windings which accommodates the Lo-Z output from the treble pickup. I've tried to order spares from Rickenbacker and have been told that the bobbin for that pickup is special and is long out of production. A 4004 humbucker would fit, but I have no idea if it would capture the spirit of the original unit.
4) The neck and headstock are different. Even different from a 4001 from the same era. The neck is slim AND fairly narrow. The headstock is narrow and shaped differently. Walnut headstock wings and a strip of shedua runs the length of the neck, as well. As lesser point: the '70-early '80s vintage M-4 tuners have changed a little, too, so an accurate reproduction would be costly. The pickguard material is strange and seems to be something similar to whatever Gibson uses, though not exactly the same. I've been told that the original material was sourced through a trophy supply shop on an as needed basis, at least on the early models.
1) The fretboard is ebony, and many varieties of the wood are on the endangered species list. John Hall has stated that Rickenbacker now uses only farm sustainable woods in the manufacturing of its instruments.
2) The production ended about '84, when John took over and apparently slashed a lot of slow movers from the product line. The 4002 was a slow mover, most likely because of it's price: $1275.00 in 1977. The line was never conceived as a Limited Edition, rather its low production numbers stemmed from low consumer demand. People wanted a bass like Geddy's 4001. A reissue 4002 bass would probably cost about the same as a reissue 4005, a bass for which there seems to be a lot more consumer interest.
3) The bass pickups are different in that they are 'bifiliar': I've taken this to mean that they're not only wound hum-cancelling, but there's yet another isolated 'set' of windings which accommodates the Lo-Z output from the treble pickup. I've tried to order spares from Rickenbacker and have been told that the bobbin for that pickup is special and is long out of production. A 4004 humbucker would fit, but I have no idea if it would capture the spirit of the original unit.
4) The neck and headstock are different. Even different from a 4001 from the same era. The neck is slim AND fairly narrow. The headstock is narrow and shaped differently. Walnut headstock wings and a strip of shedua runs the length of the neck, as well. As lesser point: the '70-early '80s vintage M-4 tuners have changed a little, too, so an accurate reproduction would be costly. The pickguard material is strange and seems to be something similar to whatever Gibson uses, though not exactly the same. I've been told that the original material was sourced through a trophy supply shop on an as needed basis, at least on the early models.
The 4004 is sort of an updated version of the 4002, without some of the frills. The 4004 has a better trussrod system, bridge, and is available in more colors. The major difference is pickup placement, and this is something I DO wish Rickenbacker would consider: move the pickups into a Fender Jazz Bass position--or possibly give us some options to have NO pickups installed so that we can install Lightwave Systems pickups, or piezos, and or any bass pickup system wherever we as the consumer desire. Call it the 4004II-NPI option, and include the two unmounted humbuckers and controls/harness, with a bass body with ONLY the control cavity and jack point routed out. Jack plate mounted with jack, no warranty on electricals. Or, if the 4004II-NPI is too far out there, how about considering offering other pickup placement/type options?
Thanks!
Thanks!
-
frank_rodio
i have a 4004c11,lefty,the new style with a laminate body (maple,walnut then amaple back),the neck width on these babies are huge,a-it feels as twice as "fat" as a 4003,but still comfortable with a flat fret board. in fact the neck is too flat,even when the rods are loosened up there isa little fret noise on the "e"s- string. i think this neck would dwarf a 4002 neck.
FRANK
FRANK
I've got a 4004LK on order, and the 4002 is in the shop. When I finally get them all together, I'll be able to do some direct comparisons between a 4003('88 & '97), 4001CS, 4002 and the 4004LK. I received a new 4004 humbucker a couple of weeks ago to do some testing with on the '97 4003. Just haven't had time to put it in yet. The plan is to test it in both the neck and treble positions.