Manufacturer Rickenbacker Body type Solid | Period 1961–1981 | |
Neck joint Bound or unbound maple (4001S model) Scale 33 (medium scale) or 30 ⁄2 (Short-scale version) Body Bound maple and unbound maple (4001S Model) | ||
The Rickenbacker 4001 is a bass guitar that was manufactured by Rickenbacker as a two-pickup "deluxe" version of their first production bass, the single-pickup model 4000. This famed design was manufactured between 1961 and 1981, when it was replaced by an updated version dubbed the Rickenbacker 4003. Variant models of the 4001 include the 4001S, 4001LH, 1999 (European model), 4001V63 (reissue), 4001CS (a limited edition series based on Chris Squire’s 1965 British model RM1999) and the 4001C64S C Series, a recreation of Paul McCartney's left-handed 4001S with a reversed headstock. There is also a Lemmy Kilmister signature version (4004LK) of the instrument.
Contents
Construction
The iconic upper bout and headstock silhouettes of the Rickenbacker 4001 are the most salient characteristics of the "crested-wave" body shape designed by luthier Roger Rossmeisl for Rickenbacker's model 4000. The 4001 model features a neck-through construction, a full-wood body, fretboard with metal strings (originally flat-wound, though many players replaced them with round-wounds), twin truss rods, triangle inlays, two pickups, two volume and two tone dials, selector switch, and wiring for Rick-O-Sound (standard in models post-1971). Rickenbacker also produced six-string and 12 string guitars and a short-scale bass, the 3000 model.
The 4001S (and 1999) model varies in its use of dot inlays, and unbound neck construction. The Rickenbacker 4003, which replaced the 4001, differs in the truss rod design and introduces a fret wire that better withstands the wear from round-wound strings. Fast fret wear was a common complaint for many years, and Rickenbacker sought to address the issue. Other features remained similar to its forebearer.
Notable players
The Rickenbacker 4001 (Fireglo) appears in the comic book series Scott Pilgrim and the Rickenbacker 4003 (Fireglo) appears in the film adaptation Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, played by the title character. The Azureglo variant also appears in the anime series FLCL, used by the character Haruko Haruhara as both an instrument and a weapon.