Reviewer Jonathan Proud
Experience 8
Review date October 03 2001
Manufacturer Rickenbacker
Model 4001 1980
Price 800 GBP ($1000)
Item owned for 1-2 years

Bass type 4 string fretted
Neck join Neck Through
Neck construction Maple ?pieces
Fignerboard Rosewood, 20 frets, long scale
Body Maple. Top piece and two side pieces
Finish sunburst with white pickguard and binding
Pickups rickenbacker (standard)
Hardware rickenbacker
Electronics passive, with stereo output

This is probably the most beautiful bass i have ever played. High notes just sing out and the lows have lots of bite and clarity. The neck pickup sound is just average but it is the bridge pickup that gives it such a wonderful sound. There is slight fret buzz when played acoustically but that is normal for a rickenbacker bass from this period. This disappears when it is plugged in. Playing anywhere along the body produces good sounds. eg towards the neck for a more toneful sound. This bass was perfectly setup when i bought it so no work has been done on it at all. I find this bass perfect for any style of music but it is the players opinion on what sounds good or not so just try one out when u see one in a second hand shop. u might just fall in love


Construction 100%
(beautifully made)
Appearance 98%
(i do not like the scratch plate, is a bit plasticy)
Playability 100%
(fluid lines come flowing from my hands evry time i play)
Sound 98%
(Neck pickup is a bit grainy for my liking)
Customer Service 100%
Value 100%
(worth a lot more than what i paid)
Overall 100%

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