Bass Gear Review

Reviewer	Randy Hawkins
Experience	32
Review date	June 25 2003
Manufacturer	Rickenbacker
Model	4000
Price	$200
Item owned for	A very, very long time

Bass type	4 string fretted
Neck join	Neck Through
Neck construction	Maple with walnut wings
Fingerboard	20 frets / dot inlay
Body	Maple, walnut wings on headstock
Finish	Natural
Pickups	Vintage horseshoe
Hardware	Schaller nickel tuners (I think)
Electronics	Single p/u, 1 volume / 1 tone

I bought this bass around 1982 after one of my "retirement" phases. I had sold everything off, including my stereo, there was no music in the house for about 3 years.That was then, I currently own 6 basses, 3 guitars and 7 amps. Oh yea, I have several stereos too. This 4000 is still my favorite bass. I also have a 4001fg and a 4003jg. I don't know if it's because there is no binding on the neck or what, but this is the slimmest, fastest neck I've ever played on. When I first bought it, it had a Schecter P-style/active pickup on it complete with extra routing to put the battery. The pickgaurd had been drilled for the extra switches and such for the active electronics. I finally got a new vintage horseshoe pickup for it and a new pickgaurd. Fortunately, the surround for the vintage pup just covered the routed out hole that the battery sat in. It now looks and sounds like a Rickenbacker once again. I usually take my 4003jg along with the 4000 to gigs, but I end up playing the 4000 most of the night. I really, really like this bass for the playability, the sound and the walnut wings on the headstock just make this one beautiful bass to look at. This model hasn't been made since the '70s, but if you ever come across one, I'd suggest you nab it up.

Construction	95%
Appearance	100%
Playability	98%
Sound	98%
Value	95%
Overall	98%