New Rickenbacker short scale, the 4030S

[ezbass]

Just for reference, I resized these 2 Rics (4003s & 4030) to the same scale, to show the relative pickup positions. The bridge pickup is just about OK (still a little south of where you'd ideally want it), but the neck is way off, as has already been mentioned.

[Misdee]

This whole endeavour by Rickenbacker is just very strange.

 

Where have they got the idea that there is a need and indeed demand for a 30 inch scale bass that is essentially as big as a full-size Rick? It's so weird a project that I could never have imagined it had it not happened. 

 

A scaled-down 4003/4001 would have been a sure-fire hit, what with the enduring trend for short scale basses. There isn't going to be overwhelming demand for these 4030 basses, I would predict.

 

Edited 7 hours ago by Misdee

[HeadlessBassist]

54 minutes ago, ezbass said:

Just for reference, I resized these 2 Rics (4003s & 4030) to the same scale, to show the relative pickup positions. The bridge pickup is just about OK (still a little south of where you'd ideally want it), but the neck is way off, as has already been mentioned.

 

That's fascinating - I had a similar issue with the pickup placement on the original Jason Smith designed Fender Rascal. The pickups were too far over to the left of your playing position, making the bass virtually unplayable on a strap.

 

Rickenbacker have made some very odd choices here... 

[Woodinblack]

1 hour ago, Misdee said:

Where have they got the idea that there is a need and indeed demand for a 30 inch scale bass that is essentially as big as a full-size Rick? It's so weird a project that I could never have imagined it had it not happened. 

 

Because it was a custom build made for a specific person (Jesse F. Keeler) who requested it that way and rick built it for him. He was happy for it and they made a few other ones for people. Then people requested a reissue, that is what this is.

This is what some people wanted, and they will all sell just fine - it is the rickenbacker way!.

[Misdee]

2 hours ago, Woodinblack said:

 

Because it was a custom build made for a specific person (Jesse F. Keeler) who requested it that way and rick built it for him. He was happy for it and they made a few other ones for people. Then people requested a reissue, that is what this is.

This is what some people wanted, and they will all sell just fine - it is the rickenbacker way!.

Jessie F Keeler?😮 JFK? Why did no one tell me that earlier? Well, that puts a very different complexion on things. Jessie F Keeler! If only I had known. My mistake then, apologies to all concerned.🙂.

.

 I totally get your point a Rickenbacker's eccentric design and marketing philosophies. I'd love for JFK and/or Rickenbacker to explain the ergonomic advantages of this design. Then again, if they weren't a bit Kookie maybe the guitars and basses wouldn't have such a gloriously distinctive sound and look. Few things in this world are as beautiful as a Rickenbacker.

 

I'd love to see Rickenbacker do a faithful reissue of the 4002 rather than (ironically enough) the short scale approximations I've seen. They could have my money for sure. I've seen some really sumptuous one-offs from their custom shop on the internet, too. Sooner or later I'm sure I'll end up pulling the trigger, despite the fact that I should have learnt by now that I can't play on a Rick. I wish I had got one when I first started and couldn't play on any other bass either, so it wouldn't have made any difference.