Originally introduced an upgrade to the Rickenbacker 4000, the Rickenbacker 4001 is one of the all-time classic rock basses. Offered with a combination of a fat Rickenbacker bass pickup at the bridge and a smaller bar pickup at the neck, the 4001 gave bassists a wide range of big bass tones to work with. Starting in 1971, stereo “Rick-O-Sound” outputs became standard on the 4001. 

Years of Production: 1961 - 1986

Body Style: “Cresting Wave” solidbody

Wood Composition: Maple body, Maple neck, Rosewood fingerboard

Design Elements: Neck-thru construction, triangular inlay, bound neck, Ric-O-Sound wiring

Finish Specifications: Mapleglo was available on the 4001 starting in 1965. 

Notable Players: Geddy Lee, Paul McCartney, Chris Squire, Lemmy Kilmister, Cliff Burton