Wow Andy - what an incredible amount of information! My guess is that your full but yet completed bibliography should reside in the reference section of International Guitar Library (I made that up). I am not a bass player and never owned one but anyone with an interest in Ric guitars, bass guitars, and particularly with the 4001 should read your column. Labor of love. Stellar research.
Thank you so much for this in depth overview of the 4001. This will surely be a “go to” for buyers of both new and s/h 4001 and 4003 basses. As for corrections I’m sure there will be a few headed your way (as you rightly say)..but hey, this is Rickenbacker! On the subject of the 4001CS I have the “RIC poster” CS which was made in August 1990 used for promoting the new signature series and as there was no prototype I believe its number 1. I bought the bass directly from the (then) UK Rickenbacker office when the bass was on its way back from Frankfurt Music Messe in Jan 1991. Once again thank you so much for putting this timeline together!
Wow Andy - what an incredible amount of information! My guess is that your full but yet completed bibliography should reside in the reference section of International Guitar Library (I made that up). I am not a bass player and never owned one but anyone with an interest in Ric guitars, bass guitars, and particularly with the 4001 should read your column. Labor of love. Stellar research.
Thank you so much for this in depth overview of the 4001. This will surely be a “go to” for buyers of both new and s/h 4001 and 4003 basses. As for corrections I’m sure there will be a few headed your way (as you rightly say)..but hey, this is Rickenbacker! On the subject of the 4001CS I have the “RIC poster” CS which was made in August 1990 used for promoting the new signature series and as there was no prototype I believe its number 1. I bought the bass directly from the (then) UK Rickenbacker office when the bass was on its way back from Frankfurt Music Messe in Jan 1991. Once again thank you so much for putting this timeline together!
Fantastic article on my favorite Rickenbacker product! ❤️❤️❤️ (especially when it eventually begat the 4004 models).
In the part where you mention that 4001 production saved the company, I feel you should really acknowledge that Chris Squire’s popularity
(and unique sound) was the main reason for that interest and resurgence.
Ps Laughed at your description of the original 4000 pickguard shape. (Which I also absolutely love the look of.)