A superb 1980 Rickenbacker 4003, in very good original and well-preserved condition, finished in a striking Midnight Blue!
This luxury dual-pickup model picked up the mantle from the 4001, which was the flagship of Rickenbacker’s bass line (if not their entire instrument offering) for roughly 20 years. It’s reasonable to assume that the development of the 4001 came in response to Fender’s 1960 launch of the Jazz Bass, which supplanted its original 1950s model, the Precision Bass. Similarly, the 4001 superseded the 4000 model, whose general shape and ergonomics Rickenbacker adopted, adding premium features already found on certain guitar models.
The original 4001 featured a toaster-style pickup in the neck position and Rickenbacker’s historic horseshoe pickup (introduced on their 1930s lapsteels!) in the bridge position. The latter were modernized in the late 1960s to adopt a simpler design, with a smaller footprint and higher output level. The manufacturer nevertheless retained the original appearance of the pickup by adding a cover reminiscent of the horseshoe pickup shape. Each of the two pickups is paired with volume and tone controls, with a Rick-O-Sound output system allowing each pickup to be connected to a separate amplifier for a stereo effect (the instrument also features a standard mono output).
The example presented here comes from the very beginning of the production period (officially, the 4003 replaced the 4001 in 1980, however, Rickenbacker produced it for a few more years, until 1986 when the stock was finally depleted). It remains beautifully complete to this day, with its original pickups, electronics, and hardware, and only a few signs of playing wear. Prepared and set up for perfect playability in our workshop, with fret levelling and polishing, adjustment of the nut, and action and intonation adjustments at the bridge.
Sold in its original hardshell case.
