Rickenbacker Bass

The Story of Rickenbacker: Influencing Music History - Rickenbacker

The Rickenbacker Bass: A Short History

Why the Rickenbacker 4001 Bass CRUSHES everything

1932-39 Rickenbacker Model A-22

Adolph Rickenbacker and George D. Beauchamp, developed the first commercially succesful electric guitar which has become known as the"Frying Pan” due to it's distinctive shape.   Serial number 0107 is on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. (Image # )

 

1957 - 84 Rickenbacker 4000

Introduced in 1957, this was the first bass model that Rickenbacker produced.  Original Features: Single pickup, chrome 1 volume and 1 tone control, mono output, unbound body, dot inlay, clear plastic pickguard with gold back painting, cresting wave headstock, unbound rosewood fingerboard, 8 dot inlays, clear plastic finger rest, Schaller BM nickel machine heads. Only available in Mapleglo and older style Fireglo (2 tone brown sunburst) finishes.  Milestones included:

• 1957 - Introduced
• 1960 - Fireglo (red sunburst) finish added
• 1963 - Jetglo (black) and Autumglo (brown) finishes added, white pickguard replaced gold pickguard, black bakelite knobs replaced chrome knobs
• 1969 - High gain pickup and cover replaced horseshoe bridge pickup, headstock shortened
• 1971 - Grover sealed back machine heads replaced Schaller open back nickel machineheads
• 1975 - Schaller BMC chrome open back machine heads replaced Grover sealed back machine heads
• 1984 - Discontinued

1961 - 84 Rickenbacker 4001

Introduced in 1961, this was the deluxe two-pickup version of the 4000 model.  The neck pickup was added to give greater tonal flexibility and greater bass response. This bass was originally designed for use with flat-wound strings.  Features: Bound body, bound Padouk fingerboard, triangle inlays, two pickups, separate volume and tone controls, mono-output, truss rods adjust at head. Originally was only available in a Fireglo finish.  Milestones included:

• 1961 - Introduced
• 1965 - Black plastic seven-sided knobs with silver tops replaced all black Bakelite knobs, Mapleglo finish added
• 1969 - High gain single-coil pickup and cover replaced horseshoe bridge pickup, headstock shortened
• 1971 - Grover sealed back machine heads replaced Schaller open back machine heads
• 1972 - Maple headstock wings replaced contrasting walnut headstock wings, Center walnut stripe running the length of the instrument, High gain neck single-coil pickup replaced toaster neck pickup, clear plastic finger rest eliminated
• *1973 - Schaller BMC chrome open back machine heads replaced Grover sealed back machine heads, single color (white or black) body binding replaced block binding, smaller pearloid fingerboard inlays replaced crushed pearl large triangle inlays, pickguard shortened, large bridge pickup surround was made smaller and more rectangular
• 1974 - Set neck design replaces neck thru design, neck pickup was moved 1/2 inch closer toward the bridge pickup, pickguard shortened 1/2 inch
• 1984 - Discontinued
   
• 1984+ Rickenbacker 4001V63 Vintage Reissue Series
  • Reissue of the 1963 model 4001S
  • Features: Horseshoe bridge pickup, no body binding, mono output, 9 dot inlays, no neck binding, toaster neck pickup, contrasting walnut headstock wings, (Kluson style) Schaller vintage machine heads and black knobs.  Available only in Mapleglo and Fireglo finishes

• 1991 - 2000 Rickenbacker 4001CS "Chris Squire" 
  • Limited Edition Series with only 1000 produced in Cream Colorglo finish only
  • Features: Horseshoe bridge pickup, no body binding, mono output, 8 dot inlays, no neck binding, toaster neck pickup, contrasting African Vermilion headstock wings, clear plastic back painted pickguard with signature, more rounded shaped neck profile

 

1975 - 84 Rickenbacker 4002 - 1975 MSRP $1250 (2025 equiv $7500)

The 4002 model was a limited edition deluxe version of the 4001, and in terms of features the fanciest bass that Rickenbacker ever produced.  The two pickups were moved to have the same location as a Fender Jazz bass.  Features: Ebony fingerboard, pearl dot inlays, block bound body, two humbucking pickups, low impedance (XLR) output, 3-ply black/white/black laminated pickguard, truss rods adjust at head, 21 frets, black headstock binding, black fingerboard binding, contrasting walnut headstock wings, chrome Schaller M-4 tuning machines.  Available only in Mapleglo and Walnut finishes.

 

1980+ Rickenbacker 4003

This bass is the improved version of the 4001 model. The improved 4003 truss rods in neck are designed for use with round wound strings.  Features: Two-piece pickguard, improved truss rod design, truss rod adjustment at body, triangle inlays, bound body, bound fingerboard, mono and stereo output, Schaller BMC chrome machine heads replaced Grover sealed back machine heads in '83

 

Rickenbacker Historical Price Database

Gary Lee Weinrib on July 29, 1953, in Willowdale, Toronto.  His parents were Jewish Holocaust survivors from Poland who had survived their imprisonments at Auschwitz and later Dachau and Bergen-Belsen concentration camps during the Holocaust and World War II. Lee's stage name, Geddy, was derived from his mother's Polish-accented pronunciation of his given first name, Gary sounding like "Geddy"...

Rush was formed in August 1968 in the Willowdale neighborhood of Toronto. The original lineup included Alex Lifeson on guitar, Jeff Jones on bass and John Rutsey on drums. Jones was soon replaced by Geddy Lee, and, in 1974, after the release of the group’s debut album, Rutsey left and was replaced by Neil Peart (pronounced /ˈpɪərt/). That lineup Lee on vocals, bass and keyboards; Lifeson on guitar, and Peart on drums — has remained stable throughout the years until 2016.  After more than 40 years, 40 million records sold, countless sold-out tours, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, sadly, Neil was diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer in 2016 and passed away at home on January 7, 2020.  

 

Geddy Lee's (Rush) 1973 Rickenbacker 4001 

Used from 1974-1984, Geddy played a Jetglo black 1973 Rickenbacker 4001 bass with a white pickguard and Badass II bridge.  To shape his sound, he used Rotosound Swing Bass 66 Bass Guitar Strings, and a stereo rig splitting the neck and bridge pickups to different amps (e.g., Ampeg SVT and Sunn 2000S).  Geddy does not use a pick, but when he wants a punchier sound he uses his fingernails in what he describes as a "flamenco" style.  He loved the 4001's clean, punchy sound and used it for just about every album and live performance between 1974 and 1984, including:

• Rush (1974): Geddy used the Rickenbacker 4001 for the band's debut album. The album's raw, hard-rock sound prominently features the 4001's bright, punchy tone.
• Fly By Night (1975): The Rickenbacker 4001 was used exclusively for this album. It’s notably featured in tracks like "Anthem" and "Fly By Night," where its distinctive trebly sound shines. A white 4001 also appeared in the music videos for these songs.
• Caress of Steel (1975): Geddy alternated between the Rickenbacker 4001 and a Fender Precision Bass for this album. The 4001's crisp tone is evident in tracks like "Bastille Day" and "The Necromancer."
• 2112 (1976): The Rickenbacker 4001 remained a primary instrument, contributing to the iconic sound of this progressive rock landmark. Its aggressive, clear tone is prominent in tracks like "2112" and "A Passage to Bangkok."
• A Farewell to Kings (1977): The 4001 was the main bass used, alongside a Rickenbacker 4080 double-neck bass/guitar for tracks like "Xanadu." The 4001’s clarity and bite are notable in songs like "Closer to the Heart."
• Hemispheres (1978): Geddy continued using the Rickenbacker 4001, along with a Rickenbacker 4080 and a 4002 model. The 4001’s tone is evident in tracks like "Cygnus X-1 Book II" and "La Villa Strangiato," complemented by his use of Rotosound strings and a stereo rig for enhanced depth.
• Permanent Waves (1980): Geddy used both the Rickenbacker 4001 and a newly acquired Fender Jazz Bass for this album. The 4001 is believed to have been used on tracks like "The Spirit of Radio" and "Freewill," though the Jazz Bass started to take prominence. The exact split is debated, but the 4001’s brighter tone is discernible in parts.
• Moving Pictures (1981): This album marks a transitional period, with Geddy using both the Rickenbacker 4001 and the Fender Jazz Bass. Notably, "Red Barchetta" is widely attributed to the 4001, while "Tom Sawyer" was recorded with the Jazz Bass, as confirmed by Geddy himself. "YYZ" likely features the Jazz Bass, and "Limelight" is confirmed to use the Jazz Bass based on studio footage, despite some initial speculation about the 4001.
• Signals (1982): The Rickenbacker 4001 was used alongside the Fender Jazz Bass, but its role diminished as Geddy leaned more toward the Jazz Bass. Specific tracks are harder to pinpoint, but the 4001’s presence is noted in parts of the album, likely for songs requiring its characteristic punch. After this album, Geddy largely moved to other basses like the Steinberger L2.

He brought it back live for the performance of A Passage To Bangkok on the Snakes & Arrows tour in 2007-08.

 

1975-85 Rickenbacker 4080/12-String Double Neck

• The RICKENBACKER 4080 was a 4001 bass and 480 guitar combined into one double necked instrument. It had two pickups per neck and switchable (between necks) electronics with Rick-O-Sound stereo and mono outputs. Deluxe tuners adorned the laminated maple necks which were bolted to the solid maple body. The fingerboard was bound rosewoodwith pearl triangle inlays. 
• Geddy used this bass from 1977-80

 

Chris Squire - 1964 4001S ("S" indicates stereo pickups with separate output jacks for each pickups)

• Best known as the bassist and backing vocalist of the progressive rock band Yes, Squire was influential for later generations of bass players, and his trademark was the Rickenbacker 4001. 
• While he did record and perform with several other basses over the years, his cream-colored 1964 model is iconic, and really helped form his signature style and sound. 
• In 1965, while working at a Boosey & Hawkes shop in London’s West, Squire used his staff discount to purchase a 4001, and the rest is history.
• From 1991 to 2000, Rickenbacker produced a signature model in a limited 1000 unit run, in his name – the 4001CS.  A tribute to the icon, it featured a contoured neck through body construction with solid Eastern Rock Maple, and that famous Rickenbacker tailpiece. 

 

Cliff Burton (Metallica) - 

• Known as the Jimi Hendrix of Metal bass, Cliff Burton is immortalized in Metallica’s golden era from 1982-86, playing on their first 3 albums, “Kill ‘Em All,” “Ride the Lightning,” and “Master of Puppets”
• Cliff preferred the Rickenbacker for a number of reasons. For one, the guitar produces a unique tone, that is characterised by its distinctive “bright” and “punchy” sound that is heavy on the treble and lends itself to the fast-paced rock music of Metallica. 
• Cliff removed the factory pickups, replacing the neck pickup with a Gibson EB Mudbucker and the bridge with a Seymor Duncan stacked jazz pickup. He also added a ‘hidden’ single coil Strat guitar pickup on the bridge for when he needed to kick the distortion on which was the secret ingredient to Cliff’s sound in his early days of playing shows. Luthier Chuck Marting fitted it in where the mute foam of the bridge pickup would typically be.
• Cliff tragically died at 24 years old on September 27, 1988, after the band’s bus crashed while on tour in Sweden.

 

Lemmy (Motorhead) - 1996 4004LK signature model, which was part of an extremely limited run. 

• played with a pick

 

Roger Glover (Deep Purple) - 

The M5 Guitar is a  2021 Custom ‘73 Rickenbacker 4001 "Geddy Lee" Replica

Geddy Lee:  Rush - YYZ

Geddy Lee:  Rush - Tom Sawyer

Geddy Lee:  Rush - A Farewell To Kings

Geddy Lee:  Rush - 8mm - June 18, 1976 Oshawa Ontario 2112 tour

Geddy Lee:  Rush - By-Tor And The Snow Dogs/In The End/In The Mood (Medley/Live From The Montreal Forum / 1981)

Geddy Lee (double bass):  Rush - Xanadu - Montreal Forum on March 27, 1981

Chris Squire:  Solo bass guitar

Chris Squire:  Yes - Roundabout 

Chris Squire:  Yes - The Fish

Cliff Burton:  Metallica - Anesthesia (Pulling Teeth) Live Chicago 1983

Cliff Burton:  Metallica Seek And Destroy Live at The Metro 1983

Cliff Burton:  Metallica: Whiplash Chicago, IL - August 12, 1983

Roger Glover:  Deep Purple - Highway Star Live, Tokyo ’72

Lemmy:  Motorhead - Ace of Spades

 

The Rickenbacker Bass: A Short History

Why the Rickenbacker 4001 Bass CRUSHES everything

Rickenbacker Bass Models and Specifications: The 4000 Series

Geddy Lee Bass Guitars & Gear (2025 Update) - Guitar Lobby

Home - Rickenbacker

Rush, Fly By Night, Carress of Steel, 2112, All The World's A Stage (live album), A Farewell to Kings, Hemispheres, Permanent Waves, Moving Pictures, Exit Stage Left (live album), and Signals.  

https://www.rush.com/gear/rickenbacker-4001/ https://reverb.com/p/rickenbacker-4001-bass https://reverb.com/p/rickenbacker-4001-1973-1983 https://reverb.com/guide/buying-guide-rickenbacker-4003-4001-and-other-basses

https://guitarspace.org/electric-guitars/rickenbacker-4001-vs-4003 4003 is an improved version of the 4001 model 4001 uses a horseshoe and toaster pickup > 4003 uses high hot gain pickups, which create a more punchy sound 4001 has a slimmer neck profile making it a better fit for people with short fingers > 4003 has a wider (fatter) neck 4001 is set up with caps in its circuits to produce its vintage sound > 4003 caps cut out for a brighter sound

 

Reissues: 4001C64S Paul McCartney’s '64 4001 ,4004LK and 4001CS models “FL” is a fretless variation “S ” are more affordable version without body binding and stereo outputs. and use of dots instead of triangular inlays Ric-O-Sound stereo output Three primary finishes- Fireglo, Mapleglo, and Jetglo

 

Paul McCartney lefthanded body righthanded neck Fireglow 1964 4001 S