Just Rickenbackers - 4001 Basses Timeline

4001 Basses

Throughout the years, Rickenbacker altered elements of the dual pickup 4000 bass known as the 4001. There were periods of very few changes and then there were some years that were particularly adventurous with modifications, alterations, or simply sourcing parts differently. This timeline is for your benefit to see how this model changed over the years. It is fun to witness these changes and someday, you, yes you, can spot exactly which era a 4001 was from purely from examining it's design. Please note this is the "deluxe" version of the 4001, and not a study of the 4001S variant.

Research was conducted by consulting several sources including Paul D Boyer's book "The Rickenbacker Electric Bass," the Rickenbacker Register, and discussions with aficionados Ron O'Keefe, Brian Morton, Dane Wilder, and John Fay.

Other Timelines

1961

Inception - 1961

November A two pickup version of the 4000 bass at the time, featured horseshoe bridge pickup, toaster neck pickup, full width triangle "shark fin" inlays made of a pearlescent material, and checkered binding.

1962

1962

Early 1962

1963

1963

The pickguard shape turns into the more traditional and recognized L-shape that we know today

1964

1964

Crushed pearl inlays replaced the previously used pearlescent material.

1965

1966

1967

1968

1968

April "Made in USA" verbiage moved from being parallel with the Rickenbacker logo to being parallel with the nut. The truss rod cover design also changes to incorporate the model number (4001).

Photo credit: Ron O'Keefe

Second half of 1968 Rick-O-Sound became available on 4001 bass guitars during the second half of 1968

December Horseshoe pickup replaced by a "hi gain" pickup. It features a plastic chrome pickup cover to carry on the tradition of the look, though the chrome pickup cover can be removed without having any impact to the sound, as it is purely aesthetic.

1969

1969

April The pickguard shape changes and becomes shorter

Photo credit: Ron O'Keefe

September-October The headstock shape becomes shorter

Photo credit: Ron O'Keefe

1970

1971

1972

1972

March-April The "skunk stripe" introduced as a strip of shedua is sandwiched between maple to effectively make a stronger neck. The walnut headstock wings at the same time were replaced with maple.

December The "tug bar" disappears

1973

1973

March Full width inlays no longer crushed pearl and become acrylic

May The inlays changed again, this time inset (not full width) and now a poured resin material

May The "Gap tooth" cast aluminum tailpiece replaced by a zinc tailpiece held on by 5 screws rather than 2

August Checkered binding replaced by solid white binding

September Toaster pickup neck replaced by a "hi gain" pickup

1974

1975

1975

May-June The neck pickup position moved 1/2" away from the fretboard which as of 2025, has not changed since for both 4001 and 4003 models.

1976

1976

January January - The truss rod cover transitioned from being a white back-painted plexi cover to a raised letter injection molded truss rod cover.

1977

1978

1979

1980

1981

1982

1983

1984

1985

1985 - Last known production year

November

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