The history of left-handed Rickenbacker basses

Left-handed bass players have always faced challenges when it comes to finding instruments that suit their needs. In the early days of electric bass guitar production, left-handed models were often hard to come by, and many left-handed players were forced to play right-handed instruments upside down. Rickenbacker was one of the first companies to recognize the need for left-handed basses and began producing them in the mid-1960s. In this article, we'll explore the history of left-handed Rickenbacker basses.

 

In the early days of Rickenbacker bass production, left-handed models were not available. However, as demand for left-handed instruments grew, Rickenbacker began producing left-handed versions of their popular 4000 series basses in 1965. These left-handed basses featured the same high-quality construction and design as their right-handed counterparts, with a solid maple body, dual truss rods, and dual single-coil pickups.

 

The left-handed Rickenbacker basses quickly gained popularity among left-handed bass players, and Rickenbacker continued to produce them in the decades that followed. The left-handed basses were available in a range of finishes, including jetglo, fireglo, and mapleglo.

 

In addition to the standard left-handed Rickenbacker basses, Rickenbacker also produced limited-edition left-handed models. One of the most popular limited-edition left-handed Rickenbacker basses was the 4004L Laredo bass, which was originally introduced in the 1970s. The 4004L Laredo bass featured a unique design with a solid maple body, dual truss rods, and dual humbucking pickups. The left-handed version of the 4004L Laredo bass was highly sought after by left-handed bass players and collectors.

 

Over the years, Rickenbacker has continued to produce left-handed basses, and they remain a popular choice among left-handed bass players today. Rickenbacker also offers custom left-handed basses, which allow bassists to personalize and customize their instrument to suit their individual needs and preferences.

 

The production of left-handed Rickenbacker basses has been instrumental in providing left-handed bass players with access to high-quality instruments that suit their needs. The left-handed Rickenbacker basses have played a significant role in the development of modern bass playing and have been used by many influential bassists in a wide range of genres, from rock and pop to jazz and funk.

 

The options available for left-handed Rickenbacker bass players

Left-handed bass players often face limited options when it comes to choosing a bass guitar that suits their needs. Fortunately, Rickenbacker offers a range of options for left-handed bass players who want to play a Rickenbacker bass. In this article, we'll explore the options available for left-handed Rickenbacker bass players.

 

Left-Handed Rickenbacker 4003 Bass:

The Rickenbacker 4003 bass is one of the most popular bass guitars on the market, and it is available in a left-handed version. The left-handed 4003 bass features the same high-quality construction and design as the right-handed version, with a solid maple body, dual truss rods, and dual single-coil pickups. The left-handed 4003 bass is available in a range of finishes, including jetglo, fireglo, and mapleglo.

 

Left-Handed Rickenbacker 4003S Bass:

The Rickenbacker 4003S bass is a stripped-down version of the 4003 bass, with a simplified control layout and no binding on the body or neck. The left-handed 4003S bass is also available, and it features the same high-quality construction and design as the right-handed version, with a solid maple body, dual truss rods, and dual single-coil pickups. The left-handed 4003S bass is available in a range of finishes, including jetglo, fireglo, and mapleglo.

 

Left-Handed Rickenbacker 4004L Laredo Bass:

The Rickenbacker 4004L Laredo bass is a limited-edition bass guitar that was originally introduced in the 1970s. The left-handed version of the 4004L Laredo bass features a solid maple body, dual truss rods, and dual humbucking pickups. The left-handed 4004L Laredo bass is available in a range of finishes, including jetglo, fireglo, and mapleglo.

 

Custom Left-Handed Rickenbacker Basses:

In addition to the standard left-handed Rickenbacker basses listed above, Rickenbacker also offers custom left-handed basses. This allows left-handed bass players to personalize and customize their bass to suit their individual needs and preferences. Bassists can choose from a range of options, including custom finishes, pickguards, hardware, and inlays.

 

When ordering a left-handed Rickenbacker bass, bassists can work with a Rickenbacker dealer to select the options they want. The dealer will then work with Rickenbacker to create a custom quote for the bass. Left-handed Rickenbacker basses typically take several months to produce, as they are made to order by skilled craftsmen in the Rickenbacker factory.

 

Overall, left-handed bass players have several options when it comes to playing a Rickenbacker bass. The left-handed Rickenbacker 4003 and 4003S basses offer high-quality construction and design, while the limited-edition 4004L Laredo bass provides a unique and distinctive option. Custom left-handed Rickenbacker basses allow bassists to personalize and customize their bass to suit their individual needs and preferences.