Rickenbacker 4001/4003

About

The Rickenbacker 4001 and 4003 are iconic electric bass guitars renowned for their distinctive sound and design. The 4001, produced from 1961 to 1981, was a deluxe version of the earlier 4000 model, featuring a neck-through construction, twin truss rods, and two single-coil pickups. Initially, these pickups included toaster and horseshoe designs, later replaced by Hi-Gain pickups. The 4001's body is typically made from bound maple, with a fretboard often crafted from ebony or rosewood. The Rickenbacker 4003, introduced as a successor to the 4001, boasts modern truss rods and fret wire designed to withstand round-wound strings. It retains the classic neck-through design but with updated Hi-Gain pickups for a hotter output. The 4003 is known for its solid maple body, rosewood fretboard, and triangular inlays. Both models are celebrated for their unique tonal qualities, with the 4003 offering enhanced durability and versatility. These basses have been favored by legendary musicians like Lemmy and Paul McCartney for their warm, punchy tones.