Rickenbacker 4001CS

Rickenbacker 4001CS
ManufacturerRickenbacker
Period1991–2000
Construction
Body typeSolid
Neck jointunbound maple
Scale33 1/2 inch
Woods
BodyUnbound maple
NeckMaple and Walnut
FretboardAfrican Vermilion
Hardware
Pickup(s)2 single-coil pickups (toaster neck/horseshoe bridge)
Colors available
Cream Colorglo

The Rickenbacker 4001CS is a limited-edition series electric bass guitar based on Chris Squire's 1964 Rickenbacker 4001.[1] Only 1,000 were made between 1991 and 2000.[2] The 4001CS is another instrument from Rickenbacker's Limited Edition Series. These instruments, commissioned by and for prominent artists who favored Rickenbacker instruments, incorporate features which are favored by the artist or reminiscent of their most famous Rickenbacker instrument.

Squire's original bass was part of the model lineup exported to England in 1964, in the rush of the Beatles’ rise to prominence. The group's association with Rickenbackers had English musicians clamoring for the instruments. An agreement was forged with the Rose-Morris music chain in England to sell Rickenbackers, and special model features and designations were given to the instruments. In the case of the 4001 bass, the English model 1999 eschewed the stereo output, triangular neck inlays, and checkered body binding and neck binding of the American model.

The 4001CS incorporates some features associated with Squire, such as the cream finish, which is not original to his bass. Additionally, the African Vermillion fretboard and headstock wings are a feature unique to the 4001CS.

Each 4001CS bass was supplied with a silver Rickenbacker vintage-style case, and a certificate of authenticity detailing the bass’ origin, serial number, and Limited Edition sequence number.

  1. ^ Boyer, Paul D. (2017). The Rickenbacker Electric Bass: 50 Years As Rock's Bottom. Hal Leonard LLC. ISBN 978-1-4950-9521-4.
  2. ^ "1999 Rickenbacker 4001CS Chris Squire Signature Bass Guitar #810/1000 ~Rare~". Guitar Chimp. Retrieved 2022-10-08.