One-Owner 1984 Rickenbacker 3001 Bass - 100% Original, Complete - Mapleglo w/ OHSC

Up for sale is a mythical beast of the Rickenbacker timeline: a 100% original, 100% complete, one-owner 1984 Rickenbacker 3001 in the highly sought-after Mapleglo finish.

This was my very first real bass. I gigged heavily with it in the mid-1980s until retiring it from the road in 1987. Since then, it has been a prized studio-only instrument, rarely used unless tracking in the recording studio. Because these were only produced between 1975 and 1984, you rarely see them out in the wild compared to the ubiquitous 4001s or 4003s. This final-year production model represents the absolute pinnacle of when Rickenbacker nailed the design.

If you want a sterile, unplayed museum piece, keep scrolling. If you want a bass with incredible soul, unmatched power, and a lifetime of genuine musical history, this is the one.

The Anatomy of a "Fender Killer"

Unlike the iconic neck-through 4001, the 3001 was engineered as a traditional powerhouse, featuring a heavy, solid maple slab body and a bolt-on (detachable) maple neck with a 33.5-inch full scale length. The stunning Mapleglo finish looks exceptional on this model, beautifully complementing the neck's prominent dark walnut center "skunk stripe."

• The Pickup: It utilizes a single, massive, ultra-responsive passive humbucker positioned right in the sonic sweet spot between the neck and the bridge.
• The Controls: A triumph of straightforward electronic engineering featuring a unique three-knob layout (one master volume, one bass boost/cut, and one treble boost/cut) allowing for simple perfection of functionality and tone.
• The Sound: This isn't the aggressive, trebly "clank" of a 4001. Instead, think P-Bass on steroids. It sounds much deeper, punchier, and boasts massive natural sustain due to all that solid American maple. Run this through the same amp as any vintage P-Bass and the 3001 will reign supreme.
• The Weight: It is big, solid, and heavy—exactly how an American-made powerhouse from the golden era was supposed to be built.

Condition, Originality & Playability

• 100% Original: Originality is everything on these. The serial number is stamped directly onto the original factory jack plate on the side of the body, and the electronics are entirely untouched. Nothing has been replaced, modified, or messed with.
• Neck & Truss Rods: Vintage Rickenbacker necks can sometimes be finicky, but this one is flawless. The dual truss rods turn smoothly, the neck is straight and fast, the action is comfortably low, and it plays beautifully. The original frets show some honest road wear but still have plenty of life left in them.
• Cosmetics & Structure: Entirely structurally sound with absolutely no cracks, breaks, or repairs. The bass body itself has been exceptionally well-preserved, showing only a single, most minor slight ding on the headstock.

The Original Hardshell "Battle Axe" Case

Included is the original Rickenbacker hardshell case. This case was my true battle axe—heavily road-worn, covered in miles, and spray-painted with logos from a lifetime on the move. While the case wears its history proudly on the outside, it did its job flawlessly, keeping "Ricky" safe, pristine, and structurally perfect for over 40 years.

Why Buy This 3001?

This is the kind of instrument that leaves you conflicted: you’ll want to take it straight to a gig tonight, but you’ll also want to tuck it safely back into its case to keep it pristine. These rarely go up for sale, and they never last. If you are lucky enough to come across a complete, one-owner, all-original player like this, buy it quickly—prices are only going up.

Shipping & Logistics:

• Ships securely packed inside its original hardshell case, fully insured.