{"product_id":"rickenbacker-1968-4001-bass-mapleglo-w-ohsc","title":"Rickenbacker (1968) 4001 Bass - Mapleglo, w\/OHSC","description":"\u003cp data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn exceptional example of one of the most iconic electric bass designs ever produced, this 1968 Rickenbacker 4001 is finished in classic Mapleglo and dates to April 1968 by its \u003c\/span\u003eHD 894 serial number.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe late 1960s represent a particularly desirable period in the evolution of the 4001 and this bass retains the hallmark features associated with the early specification: checkerboard body binding, full-width crushed-pearl triangle fingerboard inlays, toaster-style neck pickup, and the highly sought-after original-style horseshoe bridge pickup assembly.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIts April 1968 production date is especially notable. Rickenbacker continued using the true horseshoe bridge pickup through most of 1968 before transitioning to the Hi-Gain design late that year. This example retains the distinctive split horseshoe magnet assembly characteristic of these earlier instruments.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Mapleglo finish leaves the figured maple construction on full display, giving the bass an understated appearance that beautifully highlights Rickenbacker's distinctive neck-through construction and dramatic cresting-wave body design.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis example has survived in remarkably clean condition and is accompanied by the original Rickenbacker hardshell case. With its early specifications, desirable Mapleglo finish, April 1968 production date and exceptional overall presentation, this is a particularly compelling example for the serious vintage Rickenbacker collector.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKey Features\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eApril 1968 production — serial HD 894\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDesirable early-specification Rickenbacker 4001\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNatural \u003c\/span\u003eMapleglo\u003cspan\u003e finish\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNeck-through maple construction\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCheckerboard body binding\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBound fingerboard\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFull-width crushed-pearl triangle inlays\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEarly\u003cstrong\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003etoaster-style neck pickup\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEarly \u003c\/span\u003ehorseshoe bridge pickup assembly\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGap-tooth bridge\/tailpiece assembly with integrated mute\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDual truss-rod neck construction\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCresting-wave headstock\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePeriod Kluson-style reverse tuners\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFour-knob control layout with three-way pickup selector\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e20-fret fingerboard\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOriginal Rickenbacker hardshell case\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eExceptionally clean collector-grade presentation\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVintage Notes:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1968 was an important transitional year for the Rickenbacker 4001. Early examples still carried many of the features that define the most collectible 1960s instruments, including the genuine horseshoe bridge pickup. The horseshoe was phased out in favor of Rickenbacker's first Hi-Gain bridge pickup near the end of 1968.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis bass was completed in \u003c\/span\u003eApril 1968\u003cspan\u003e, placing it well within the earlier horseshoe-equipped production period.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOther distinctive early features include the checkerboard body binding, full-width crushed-pearl triangle inlays, toaster neck pickup and early gap-tooth bridge assembly. Many of these appointments were subsequently changed or discontinued as the 4001 evolved through the early 1970s.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe \u003c\/span\u003eHD 894\u003cspan\u003e serial number provides a useful reference point for dating this example. Another documented Mapleglo 4001, serial HD 843, was owned by Geddy Lee and was also completed in April 1968 and displays the same early-period features.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBrand:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Rickenbacker\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eModel:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 4001\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYear:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 1968\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSerial Number:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e HD 894\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProduction Date:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e April 1968\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCountry of Manufacture:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e USA\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFinish:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Mapleglo\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOrientation:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Right-Handed\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBody:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Maple\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eConstruction:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Neck-Through\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNeck:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Maple\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFingerboard:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Period Rickenbacker hardwood fingerboard\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFingerboard Binding:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e White\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBody Binding:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Checkerboard\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eInlays:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Full-Width Crushed-Pearl Triangles\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFrets:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 20\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eScale Length:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Approx. 33 1\/4\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTruss Rods:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Dual\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHeadstock:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Cresting-Wave Design with Walnut Wings\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNeck Pickup:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Toaster-Style Single Coil\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBridge Pickup:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Horseshoe Single Coil\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eControls:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 2 Volume, 2 Tone\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePickup Selector:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 3-Way Toggle\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBridge:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Early Rickenbacker Gap-Tooth Bridge\/Tailpiece with Integrated Mute\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTuners:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Kluson-Style Reverse Tuners\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePickguard:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e White\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHardware:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Chrome\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCase:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Period Rickenbacker Hardshell Case\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSerial: HD894\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWeight: 9lbs \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCondition\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis bass presents in exceptionally clean condition for an instrument manufactured in 1968. The Mapleglo finish beautifully showcases the maple construction, while the checkerboard binding, crushed-pearl inlays and distinctive early Rickenbacker hardware remain striking visual details more than half a century after the instrument was built.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlease refer closely to the photographs for a complete representation of cosmetic condition and included accessories.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFinal Notes:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEarly 4001 basses occupy a special place in Rickenbacker history. While the 4001 would eventually become one of the company's defining instruments, 1968 examples predate many of the specification changes associated with the more commonly encountered 1970s basses.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFor collectors, the combination represented here is particularly appealing:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1968 production + April serial date + Mapleglo + horseshoe bridge pickup + toaster neck pickup + checkerboard binding + full-width crushed-pearl inlays + original case.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn outstanding opportunity to acquire an exceptionally clean early Rickenbacker 4001 retaining the features that define the classic 1960s specification.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Rickenbacker","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50579468746969,"sku":null,"price":14999.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0699\/5669\/8329\/files\/Gear-173_6f2d9780-73fc-44b2-9e35-86d739c67ad6.jpg?v=1794296690","url":"https:\/\/malibumusic.com\/products\/rickenbacker-1968-4001-bass-mapleglo-w-ohsc","provider":"Malibu Music","version":"1.0","type":"link"}