Grouse Guitars, your favourite vintage guitar dealer
Grouse Guitars - previously your vintage guitar, bass and amp dealer (now closed). Click the 'back' plectrum to go back to the previous page, or click the "Grouse Guitars" nameplate above to go directly to the Grouse Guitars homepage.


The Rickenbacker 4001 electric bass is a classic in every way. It was introduced back in 1961, and its sound and playability have left a big mark in Rock and Roll. It would probably be impossible to acknowledge the huge number of rock and roll hits from the late 60s to the early 80s that were recorded using a Rick 4001 (or subsequently the 4003, its replacement model). Steppenwolf, Paul McCartney (with and without the Beatles), The Bee Gees, The Who, Rush, Foreigner, Duran Duran, REM, Yes and countless others used and recorded with Rickenbacker basses. Except for the P-Bass, never has a bass so shaped the music we listen to - the sound is unmistakeable, as is the look.

This 1975 vintage Rickenbacker 4001 Mapleglo electric bass guitar is in totally original condition. It shows light wear with standard small nicks and dings here and there, and some belt-buckle rash on the back, but is in well above average condition for its age (check the detailed pictures in the 'more pictures' link below and see for yourself!). The original frets display only moderate wear, mainly on the lowest three of four frets, and the original clear finish on the fretboard has not been worn through anywhere, indicating a relatively low-mileage instrument. Likewise, the back of the neck shows no signs of thumb wear, and only the smallest of marks of any kind. Knobs and fittings are all original, right down the the adjustable damper (which still has the original rubber) if you want to get that vintage 'damped' sound. The cover has long been removed from the bridge pickup, something done by many players to give full access to the full string length. Interestingly, this bass seems to have been optioned with a black pickguard from new (white was more common on Mapleglo Rickenbackers, but black was optional). There is no indication that the guard has been changed by the previous long-term owner, and it displays the correct factory edge profile.

Serial number is OJ 6556

The bass also has the Ric-O-Sound stereo option, meaning you can send signals from the two pickups to two different amps if you really want to get THE sound! (Especially usable, as each pickup has its own volume and tone control). The bass also comes with its original USA hard shell case, which is also in great condition.

Sold to Adam

 


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