Rickenbacker 4002 1978 Walnut GLO - Collector's Holy Grail - The Pinnacle of RIC Engineering

“As rare as hen’s teeth” - This is how the former Rickenbacker CEO John Hall famously stated when asked about that bass. This 1978 Rickenbacker 4002 in Walnut Glo stands as a ghostly monument to the absolute zenith luthiery of Rickenbacker engineering, a phantom that appeared in 1977 and vanished by 1984, leaving behind a legacy of unparalleled craftsmanship. With a total production estimated at less than two hundred units, and of those, fewer than 60 examples in Walnut Glo color, this 1978 masterpiece was never intended for the average musician: It was a bold boutique experiment crafted to outshine every other bass on the planet. To own one is to possess a vanishingly small slice of music history that was over engineered for excellence.

The foundation of this legend is built upon premium selected tonewoods: the body wings feature lightly figured bird’s eye maple, the headstock wings are walnut, and the neck is constructed from two pieces of flamed maple with a walnut center strip. When combined, these choices deliver more than just structural beauty, they provide the ideal tone, density, and resonance, allowing every note to bloom with crystalline clarity and a sustain that standard woods simply cannot achieve. In a departure from the traditional triangular motifs, the fingerboard features elegant dot inlays crafted from genuine mother of pearl, a luxury material that reflects the instruments high end studio and adds significant organic beauty. The headstock is fitted with chrome Schaller M4 tuners, which were specifically chosen by the factory for their supreme precision and tuning stability compared to standard open back gears.

The engineering under the hood is a masterclass in professional innovation, featuring two super high gain humbucking pickups that define the unique sonic fingerprint of the 4002. These pickups utilize an exclusive bifilar winding system, a complex technique that incorporates an isolated set of windings specifically to feed the low impedance XLR output for direct studio recording. By repositioning these pickups to align with the spacing found on a classic sixties Jazz Bass, Rickenbacker achieved a level of articulate punch and midrange growl that remains unparalleled. The electronic suite is further expanded by a versatile three jack system including standard mono, the iconic Rick O Sound stereo output, and the specialized low impedance jack. This configuration provides a tonal clarity that owners describe as moving from standard to high definition television, allowing the subtle colors of every string to ring out with a silent and balanced signal that was decades ahead of its time.

The Walnut Glo finish on this 1978 model is particularly striking, the dark brown burst has mellowed into a unique, pleasant amber hue through natural aging, creating a visual frame that elegantly highlights the iconic checkered body binding. While Mapleglo is more common, the Walnut Glo version possesses a sophisticated warmth and a visual depth that highlights the shimmering birdseye grain like no other finish can. This aesthetic brilliance is further elevated by the deluxe checkered body binding which serves as a legendary hallmark of the most luxurious Rickenbacker builds. The headstock is also meticulously bound in black, perfectly complementing the contrasting walnut headstock wings and the fully bound neck. This combination of deep unique hues and intricate multi ply binding transforms the instrument into a functional work of art, emphasizing the rare materials and the elite craftsmanship that went into every square inch of this professional masterpiece.

So... what do we have here? A color that has become unique on an even rarer model, built for the stage but destined for a collection. This specific instrument is in perfect playing condition and sounds wonderful. At nearly 50 years old, it shows signs of wear consistent with its age, yet the care and respect with which it has been treated are evident. This 4002 represents a rare opportunity to own a piece of history from one of the world's most legendary brands when it comes to crafting epic instruments that helped shape music history, a direct connection to the peak of late-seventies engineering and the lasting legacy of a brand that redefined the electric bass forever.

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Serial Number: RJ5981
Includes: HSC + A vanishingly small slice of legendary music history!
Weight: 4.414kg / 9.73lbs
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The pictures/videos in the listings are of the actual item so please have a look for an idea of the cosmetic condition. As they are used they may have some scratches, wear, dents and marks to the finish. If you would like to know more about this specific instrument, or have general questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.

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