{{Short description|Electric bass guitar, produced 1961-1981}} {{More citations needed|date=November 2011}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}} {{Infobox Guitar model|title=Rickenbacker 4001 | image = [[File:Rickenbacker 4001.jpg|200px]] | caption = A 1977 Rickenbacker 4001 | manufacturer = [[Rickenbacker]] | period = 1961–1981,<ref name="rickbeat"/> 1980-present (4003) | bodytype = Solid | necktype = Bound (or unbound maple 4001S model) | scale = {{convert|33.25|in|mm|abbr=on}} (long scale)<br/>{{convert|30.5|in|mm|abbr=on}} (short scale)<ref name="vintage"/> | woodbody = Bound maple (and unbound maple 4001S Model), [[Walnut]] (4003W model) | woodneck = [[Maple]], [[Walnut]] | woodfingerboard = [[Bubinga]], [[Rosewood]], Maple | bridge = | pickups = 2 single coil toaster/horseshoe pickups (early models),<ref name="vintage"/> 2 single coil Hi-Gain pickups (later models) |colors={{ubl|Fireglo (Cherry Sunburst)|Autumnglo (Tobacco Sunburst)|Burgundyglo (Red)|Jetglo (Black)|Mapleglo (Natural)|Azureglo (Blue)|''Source:'' <ref name="vintage"/>}}}} The '''Rickenbacker 4001''' is an [[bass guitar|electric bass]] that was manufactured by [[Rickenbacker]] as a two-[[Pickup (music technology)|pickup]] "deluxe" version of their first production bass, the single-pickup model 4000. This design, created by [[Roger Rossmeisl]], was manufactured between 1961 and 1981, when it was replaced by an updated version dubbed the '''Rickenbacker 4003'''.<ref>T. Bacon & B. Moorhouse. The Bass Book. Backbeat Books. 1995. {{ISBN|0-87930-368-9}}</ref> Variant models of the 4001 include the 4001S, 4001LH, 1999 (European model), 4001V63 (reissue), [[Rickenbacker 4001CS|4001CS]] (a limited edition series based on [[Chris Squire]]'s 1965 British model RM1999) and the 4001C64 and 4001C64S: the C Series is a recreation of Paul McCartney's left-handed 4001S with a reversed [[headstock]]. There are also [[Al Cisneros]] (4003 AC) and [[Lemmy|Lemmy Kilmister]] (4004 LK) signature versions of the instrument.
==Construction== 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 single coil pickups, two volume and two tone dials, selector switch,<ref name="vintage">{{cite web |url=http://www.vintageguitars.org.uk/ric4001.php |title=Vintage Guitar – Rickenbacker 4001 Bass Guitar |publisher=Vintageguitars.org.uk |access-date=13 June 2014 |archive-date=25 February 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100225084657/http://www.vintageguitars.org.uk/ric4001.php |url-status=dead }}</ref> and wiring for Rick-O-Sound (standard after 1971).<ref name=rickbeat>{{cite web|url=https://www.rickbeat.com/modelslibrary/4001/4001.htm |title=Rickenbacker 4001 |publisher=Rickbeat.com |access-date=13 June 2014}}</ref> Models that feature Rick-O-Sound have the capability to "split" the instrument's dual pickup signals between two separate amplifiers.
Unlike most two-pickup electric basses, the 4001's pickups are of two different designs. The 4001 has a small neck pickup, colloquially referred to as a "toaster pickup" due to the distinctive metal covers found on 1960s models. The bridge pickup is larger in size and mounted on a metal plate. Earlier models are referred to as "horseshoe pickups", as the bridge pickup is enclosed between two metal-covered [[Horseshoe magnet|horseshoe magnets]]. Later 4001 models as well as the modern 4003 redesign replaced the toaster and horseshoe pickups with so-called Hi-Gain pickups. The Hi-Gain bridge pickup is of a more conventional design than the horseshoe pickup. The bridge pickup also features a removable metal bridge cover designed to emulate the look of the original horseshoe magnets.
Rickenbacker also produced six-string and 12 string guitars and a short-scale bass, the 3000 model.<ref name="vintage"/> The 4001's bridge is of a fairly unusual design, both in aesthetics and in function, featuring removable saddles as well as a built-in adjustible foam mute.
[[File:4003S.jpg|thumb|left|upright|A 2020 CieloGlo 4003S, showing the lack of body/neck binding and dot fret inlays]] The 4001S, 4003S and 1999 models have been produced as cheaper, streamlined versions which feature unbound, contoured bodies, unbound fretboards with simpler dot inlays as well as a conventional mono output jack instead of the dual Rick-O-Sound system.<ref name="vintage"/>
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 strived to address the issue). The pickups are also higher in output, and the bridge pickup, a so-called "horseshoe" pickup, was entirely remodelled, featuring a more conventional design, although the "horseshoe", albeit removable is still part of the construction, for aesthetic purposes. More recent 4003 models also feature a push-pull switch on one of the tone knobs, which diminishes the output of the bridge pickup to more closely resemble the original 4001 tone. Other features remained similar to its forebear.
Rickenbacker has also produced five-string 4003 basses. Earlier examples were generally faithful to the original model in terms of parts and electronics, whereas newer models feature a more conventional bridge, smaller Schaller machine heads and distinctive triangular pickups. Both versions retain the Rickenbacker's signature 33" scale length, an unusual design for a five-string instrument.
Between the years 1993 and 2018 Rickenbacker also manufactured a streamlined model, named the 4004, that used the 4001's trademark shape but featured smaller pickups, a simplified control layout, a more conventional bridge system and eschewed the use of aesthetic details such as binding or a [[pickguard]]. In the early 2020s, the 4003 model was given a slight overhaul with a more conventional single truss rod-system as well as a redesigned bridge with individually adjustable saddles.
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==Notable players==
* [[Lou Barlow]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Lou Barlow of Dinosaur Jr. on Playing Bass with a Really Loud Guitarist | website=[[YouTube]] |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymI7t9gb8nk |access-date=18 April 2021}}</ref> of [[Dinosaur Jr.]] * [[John Bentley (guitarist)|John Bentley]]<ref>John is shown playing the Ric in the video for {{cite web |title="Another Nail in My Heart" (official) | website=[[YouTube]] |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bTWF7eirJw&feature=share |access-date=5 October 2019}}</ref> of [[Squeeze (band)|Squeeze]] * [[Cliff Burton]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Gear Rundown: Cliff Burton |date=11 August 2017 |url=https://mixdownmag.com.au/features/columns/gear-rundown-cliff-burton/ |access-date=21 November 2020}}</ref> of [[Metallica]] * [[Geezer Butler]]<ref>{{cite web |author=Ed Roman |title=Rickenbacker Guitars - Rickenbacker Guitar Artists - Ed Roman Guitars |url=https://www.edroman.com/guitars/rickenbacker/artists.htm |access-date=13 June 2014 |publisher=Edroman.com}}</ref> of [[Black Sabbath]] * Jon Camp of [[Renaissance (band)|Renaissance]]<ref> {{cite book |last=Snider |first=Charles |title=The Strawberry Bricks Guide to Progressive Rock |date=2007 |publisher=Strawberry Bricks |isbn=9780615175669 |edition=1 |location=Chicago |page=207}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=22 February 2012 |title=Jon Camp Interview 2012 |url=http://renaissance-fanfare.net/forum/topics/jon-camp-interview-2012 |access-date=11 December 2015 |publisher=Renaissance Fanfare |archive-date=29 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929192722/http://renaissance-fanfare.net/forum/topics/jon-camp-interview-2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> * [[Peter Cetera]] of [[Chicago (band)|Chicago]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Peter Cetera |url=http://www.dennybegle.com/peter_cetera.htm |access-date=6 October 2019 |website=www.dennybegle.com}}</ref> * [[Al Cisneros]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Bass Guitar Magazine October 2006 |url=https://www.electricamp.com/bass-guitar-magazine-10-2006.html |access-date=13 June 2014 |publisher=Electricamp.com}}</ref> of [[Sleep (band)|Sleep]] and [[Om (band)|OM]] * [[John Deacon]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Instruments: Early Shows I [27.06.1970 – 24.03.1972] |url=https://www.queenconcerts.com/instruments/1971-early.html |access-date=13 June 2014 |publisher=Queen Concerts}}</ref> of [[Queen (band)|Queen]] * [[Julie Doiron]] of [[Eric's Trip]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/belikewater/2552282952/ | title=Eric's Trip | date=29 May 2008 }}</ref> * [[John Entwistle]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Pete's Gear: Pete Townshend Guitar Equipment History | Pete Townshend's Guitar Gear | Whotabs |url=https://www.thewho.net/whotabs/equipment/bass/equip-entwistlegear-60-66.html |access-date=13 June 2014 |publisher=Thewho.net}}</ref> of [[the Who]] * [[Bruce Foxton]]<ref name="ashton" /> of [[the Jam]] * [[Roger Glover]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Dawk Sound Limited – Rainbow / Ritchie Blackmore |url=http://www.dawksound.com/rainbow.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040420174645/http://www.dawksound.com/rainbow.html |archive-date=20 April 2004 |access-date=13 June 2014 |publisher=Dawksound.com}}</ref> of [[Deep Purple]] and [[Rainbow (rock band)|Rainbow]] * [[Bob Hardy (bassist)|Bob Hardy]]<ref name="ashton" /> of [[Franz Ferdinand (band)|Franz Ferdinand]] * [[Glenn Hughes (British musician)|Glenn Hughes]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Glenn Hughes |url=https://equipboard.com/pros/glenn-hughes/rickenbacker-4001 |access-date=17 March 2019 |publisher=Equipboard}}</ref> of [[Deep Purple]], [[Trapeze (band)|Trapeze]], and [[Black Country Communion]] * [[Rick James]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Rick James poster |url=http://images.uulyrics.com/cover/r/rick-james/album-street-songs.jpg |access-date=14 June 2014 |publisher=Images.uulyrics.com |archive-date=5 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140605170206/http://images.uulyrics.com/cover/r/rick-james/album-street-songs.jpg |url-status=dead }}</ref> * [[Inge Johansson]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Inge Johansson |url=https://equipboard.com/pros/inge-johansson |access-date=17 March 2019 |publisher=Equipboard}}</ref> of [[Against Me!]] * [[Jesse F. Keeler]]<ref name="ashton" /> of [[Death From Above 1979]] and [[MSTRKRFT]] * [[Lemmy Kilmister]]<ref>{{cite web |author=Willie G. Moseley |title=Lemmy Kilmister |url=https://www.vintageguitar.com/2931/lemmy-kilmister/ |access-date=17 March 2019 |publisher=Vintage Guitar Magazine}}</ref><ref name="ashton" /> of [[Motörhead]] * [[Geddy Lee]]<ref name="ashton" /><ref>{{cite news |date=4 December 1996 |title=Rush delivers precisely what fans want |newspaper=[[San Antonio Express-News]]}}</ref> of [[Rush (band)|Rush]] * [[Phil Lynott]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Artists Playing Rickenbacker Basses |url=http://www.rickresource.com/rrp/bassartists.html |access-date=13 June 2014 |publisher=Rickresource.com}}</ref> of [[Thin Lizzy]] * [[Paul McCartney]]<ref name="ashton" /><ref>{{cite book |last=Bacon |first=Tony |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-JO5pBQo89wC&pg=PT19 |title=The Bass Book: A Complete Illustrated History of Bass Guitars |author2=Barry Moorhouse |publisher=Hal Leonard |year=2008 |isbn=978-0-87930-924-4 |page=19 |access-date=6 August 2010}}</ref> of [[the Beatles]] and [[Paul McCartney and Wings|Wings]] * [[Randy Meisner]] of [[Eagles (band)|Eagles]]<ref>Randy can be seen playing the 4001 in the video of a 1977 performance of "Hotel California" {{cite web |title=Hotel California live in Washington 1977 | website=[[YouTube]] |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAIFnHoieuA |access-date=29 August 2019}}</ref> and [[Poco (band)|Poco]] * [[Pete Quaife]]<ref>[http://www.rickenbacker.com/forum_view_thread.asp?thread_id=2595&forum=General_Forum&thread_name=1st%20lefty%20Rickenbacker] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726194239/http://www.rickenbacker.com/forum_view_thread.asp?thread_id=2595&forum=General_Forum&thread_name=1st%20lefty%20Rickenbacker|date=26 July 2011}}</ref> of [[the Kinks]] * [[Scott Reeder (bassist)|Scott Reeder]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Scott Reeder: Desert To Sea |url=http://www.bassplayer.com/artists/1171/scott-reeder-deser-to-sea/47843 |access-date=4 November 2017 |publisher=bassplayer.com}}</ref> of [[Kyuss]] * [[Don Schiff]]<ref name="ashton" /> * [[Paul Simonon]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Paul Simonon {{!}} Equipboard |url=https://equipboard.com/pros/paul-simonon |access-date=2021-11-14 |website=equipboard.com}}</ref> of [[the Clash]] * [[Jim Smith (bassist)|Jim Smith]] of [[Cardiacs]]<ref name="Equipboard">{{Cite web |title=Jim Smith |url=https://equipboard.com/pros/jim-smith |access-date=31 August 2022 |website=Equipboard}}</ref> * [[Chris Squire]] of [[Yes (band)|Yes]]<ref>{{cite book |last=Ashton |first=Adrian |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RpOcVLXime4C&pg=PA241 |title=The bass handbook |publisher=Hal Leonard |year=2006 |isbn=978-0-87930-872-8 |page=241}}</ref> * [[Pete Trewavas]]<ref name="ashton" /> of [[Marillion]] * [[Andy Warren (British musician)|Andy Warren]]<ref name="ashton">{{cite book |last=Ashton |first=Adrian |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=I97xJYZC2lIC&pg=PA38 |title=The bass handbook |publisher=Hal Leonard |year=2006 |isbn=978-0-87930-872-8 |page=38}}</ref> * [[Chris Wolstenholme]]<ref>''[[Bass Player (magazine)|Bass Player]]'' magazine. November 2009. p. 34.</ref> of [[Muse (band)|Muse]] * [[Audun Laading]]<ref>{{cite web |title= Her's - What Once Was {{Pipe}} Paste Studios, NYC (2018) | website=[[YouTube]] |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-B-BBwfAWU&list=RDO-B-BBwfAWU&start_radio=1 |access-date=17 April 2026}}</ref> of [[Her's]] * [[Mike Mills]]<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRfhX-XAIiY |title=Mike Mills: The Story Of R.E.M. |date=2024-06-14 |last=Rick Beato |access-date=2026-04-30 |via=YouTube}}</ref> of [[R.E.M.]]
==References== {{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}
==External links== {{Commons category|Rickenbacker 4001}} * [http://www.rickenbacker.com/ Rickenbacker International Corporation]
[[Category:Rickenbacker electric bass guitars|4001]] [[Category:1961 musical instruments]]