Old Shortscale 4001

Chris P. · October 23, 2019, 11:54:29 AM

I just posted this at the Rickenbacker Resource Forum, but I thought it would be cool to do it here too!

Today I was a guest at the national radio to talk about bass. Long story short: we have our 50th issue and we published a reader chosen bass song top 50. As a Dutch magazine it's no surprise Golden Earrings Radar Love won. Rick link: In the official video you see Rinus Gerritsen play his '60s 4001S ('68?), while it's recorded with a Gibson EB-3 through a Fender Twin Reverb amp.

In the show I was accompanied by Rinus Gerritsen. I Know about his EB0, EB3, his see through Dan Armstrong, his Danelectro's, his Ovation Magnum, his very old Höfner and his 4001, but he told me earlier he had an old short scale Rick. As a former 3000 owner, I asked him before if it was a 3000 but he told me it was the 'normal' Rickenbacker type bass. I thought he was just wrong, but today he brought a picture and he told me the story:

He is not a big Rickenbacker fan and he never played his 4001 much. On tour in the US with the Golden Earring a Rickenbacker sales rep came up to him and he asked him why he didn't play a Ricky. Rinus, too polite to tell him he disliked the 4001, said he only played short scale.
The next dat the rep was back at the hotel with - according to Rinus - one of two short scale Rickenbackers, built for a bass player of a country band/star. He bought it for 300 US Dollars.

So it seems I was wrong and RInus right. Of course I want to visit him once to see it and judge it for myself. And I will ask John Hall at the NAMM about it.

What do you guys know/think/...?

BTW: I have Rinus' permission to post this.

Chris P. · October 23, 2019, 11:59:02 AM

Check bindings
Bound headstock
Dots

Highlander · October 23, 2019, 02:15:27 PM

Rocking horse droppings...

amptech · October 23, 2019, 11:11:05 PM

I'll trade my '75 4001 fireglo for it! It's worth at least 300 bucks

Dave W · October 24, 2019, 12:06:25 AM

Very cool. I hope you do get to see it and post some more detailed pics.

ilan · October 24, 2019, 12:31:57 AM

Thanks for sharing. What year is the bass?

Quote from: Dave W on October 24, 2019, 12:06:25 AM
I hope you do get to see it and post some more detailed pics.

Ditto. Looking forward to it.

gearHed289 · October 24, 2019, 08:09:13 AM

Wow! Cool piece of history there. I want one!

Chris P. · May 13, 2023, 12:08:51 AM

Reply on an old topic. I played the bass, it's in a very good condition, almost new, and it's a '74.

morrow · May 13, 2023, 05:47:53 AM

Rare bird.

uwe · May 13, 2023, 09:54:21 AM

A historical artifact no doubt, but it just looks wrong. Like a short scale T-Bird.

ilan · May 13, 2023, 11:37:52 AM

Quote from: Chris P. on May 13, 2023, 12:08:51 AM
Reply on an old topic. I played the bass, it's in a very good condition, almost new, and it's a '74.

And what did it sound like?

godofthunder · March 06, 2024, 04:54:02 AM

That just amazing Chris, thanks for digging up that story! More info and pictures please!

Chris P. · March 08, 2024, 02:45:21 AM

I will search for more pics! I have them somewhere.

Rinus was playing in the US with the Golden Earring. After a show a guy came up to him and said: 'That Danelectro sounds like shit. Why don't you play a real bass?' The guy introduced himself as a a Rickenbacker rep and he said he could get Rinus a Rickenbacker. Rinus didn't really believe him and he said: 'Sorry, I play shortscale basses only.'
The rep said: 'I have on short scale Rickenbacker. We just made two for a bass player of a famous country band to use and he chose one. I can get you the other one.'
Rinus still not really believing him gave the address of his hotel and a day later the rep showed up with that shorty 4001.