Rickenbacker Bass History
Tired of the same old bass guitars? Fender's rock, for sure, but sometimes you want to stand out from the crowd. Why not try out a Rickenbacker bass? Read on to find out more about the legacy and history of these unique bass guitars.
Rickenbackers have always been a little different. Nowhere is this quite as apparent as with their distinct "Rick sound." With more of a mid rangy cutting sound than Fenders, combined with a rock solid low end, Rickenbacker's were widely adopted by rock musicians, leading to the slogan "Nothing Rocks Like a Rick." The 4000 series, which has made up almost the entirety of the Rickenbacker bass line began production in 1964. Using a unique neck through body design and innovative electronics, musicians soon caught on to these amazing basses.
Paul McCartney, John Entwistle, and Roger Waters were all early adopters of Rickenbacker basses. Because of their unique sound, their popularity only grew. Rickenbacker basses were being used by many hard rock groups of the 1970s. These bands who appreciated the Rick's solid low end sustain combined with cutting highs and mids. The Rick had found a niche.
Rickenbacker continued to produce new models as time went on. The 4000 series had many variations, such as the 4001, 4003, and 4004 models are still huge popular today. Special models such as the eight string 4008 and the hollow-body 4005 are also worthy additions to the line. These 4000 series bass are still being produced by Rickenbacker.
Today, you can still buy Rickenbacker basses. Even the new models still keep that classic sound intact, while providing legendary playability. Though they aren't cheap, by buying from Bass Gear Online, you can still get a great deal on one of the coolest instruments ever created.