1978 Rickenbacker 4001 Electric Bass Guitar

Overview: I've known this 4001 since 2014 when it was brought in for a level/dress and setup. It's got the usual super-super-low tiny frets, the tres-cool looks, and the punchy, all-its-own sound that you'd expect. This time around the instrument was brought in for sale and so I gave it a thorough clean, sanded-off many layers of black housepaint from the (broken) white pickguard, and replaced yicky replacement Tele knobs with some classic black ones. I'm a fan of Rickenbacker basses and this one ticks all the boxes!

Tone: It's punchy and fat at the neck with a nice, steely, brang sound to it. That's thanks to the "mushroom" pickups which are higher-output than the "toasters." The middle position is just about perfect as it adds treble but gives a bit of a mildly-scooped presence. The bridge position is thin-sounding but bright and jangly. It's all good...!

Interesting features: The bass is actually all-original except for the knobs and a couple of pickguard screws. The pickguard itself started-off a glossy white but is now a sort-of masonite-like, satin-like, eggshell-like finish after I had to sand the entire thing free of black paint (it would not scrape off or heat-off). It looks rather fetching in a lived-in way, and the rest of the bass is definitely lived-in -- it has wear on the back like crazy (thankee, belt buckles) and everywhere else besides, in the best sort-of ways.

Repairs included: I gave it just the lightest adjustments and cleaning this time around. I also cut-in a second slot for the G-string bridge saddle so that the string spacing would remain accurate. Why Ricks always wind-up with the G so close to the treble side of the board is beyond me... but at any rate, it's playing quick and easy and is ready to go!

• Weight: 9 lbs 12 oz
• Scale length: 33 1/4"
• Nut width: 1 11/16"
• Neck shape: slim-medium C
• Board radius: 6-7"
• Body width: 13 1/2"
• Body depth: 1 1/4"
• Body wood: maple
• Bridge: adjustable
• Fretboard: rosewood
• Neck wood: maple
• Pickups: 2x original mushroom-style single-coils
• Action height at 12th fret: 3/32" bass 1/16" treble (fast, spot-on)
• String gauges: 100w-45w
• Truss rods: adjustable
• Neck relief: straight
• Fret style: low/tiny

Condition notes: As noted, the frets are low and tiny just like you'd expect for an old Rick. This means that finger placement just behind the fret (accurately) is critical to really enjoy these basses. The truss rods (double rods in these) have nuts that slightly dip-down into the truss access channel at the headstock. They are still accessible and the neck is adjustable back and forth and good to go. The original foam mutes on the mute riser are decrepit and need replacing if one wants to use them (I can do that if desired). There's significant belly-wear on the back of the bass and general scratches, scuffs, nicks, etc. throughout the rest of the finish. The knobs are replacements. The pickguard has a repaired break near its bottom/near the jacks.

It comes with: It's got its original hard case.

Consignor tag: SMLR