So why no signature JFK 4030 deal? He’s not mainstream enough (even though my favourite bassist) and unfortunately they didn’t match all of his requested specs from what I’m told (or didn’t think the extra width would be a issue). The three 4030 necks matched his Ampeg Dan Armstrong for thinness (I have his old #1 and it’s so thin and was reprofiled by his old guitar tech) including the “scooped” heel but missed on the width and ran too wide. Jesse mutes strings he isn’t playing with both hands and his left thumb just wasn’t feeling it. He gave away three of his four original vintage Ampegs to get these. He’s since sold two out of the three of his 4030’s and retained the birdseye maple clear one and picked up at least another ‘71 Armstrong. He doesn’t play his sole remaining 4030 live at all.
My guy Brendan at Rickenbacker did say that he wanted to try again at some point and get one made identical to the Ampeg neck for JFK.
I asked very nicely to get one made for me as a custom order as other than the bottle green one (I missed out on the original owner selling this to me €€€ and now it’s vanished), none that have followed matched the original specs at all really, but there’s zero interest.
Actually was all set up, invited and chased Jesse’s white one for about 2 years for quite a fair price just to get it next to his Dan Armstrong in my collection and thought the deal was set. Got a bit of a run around but eventually lost out to a guy willing to pay over twice as much as guess Keeler needed the cash. He’s dead to me now! ☠️😆
If anyone knows where that original bottle green one went after Rickebackerfarm sold it (think it went to Italy), then please let me know.
Hey great read, thanks!
So why no signature JFK 4030 deal? He’s not mainstream enough (even though my favourite bassist) and unfortunately they didn’t match all of his requested specs from what I’m told (or didn’t think the extra width would be a issue). The three 4030 necks matched his Ampeg Dan Armstrong for thinness (I have his old #1 and it’s so thin and was reprofiled by his old guitar tech) including the “scooped” heel but missed on the width and ran too wide. Jesse mutes strings he isn’t playing with both hands and his left thumb just wasn’t feeling it. He gave away three of his four original vintage Ampegs to get these. He’s since sold two out of the three of his 4030’s and retained the birdseye maple clear one and picked up at least another ‘71 Armstrong. He doesn’t play his sole remaining 4030 live at all.
My guy Brendan at Rickenbacker did say that he wanted to try again at some point and get one made identical to the Ampeg neck for JFK.
I asked very nicely to get one made for me as a custom order as other than the bottle green one (I missed out on the original owner selling this to me €€€ and now it’s vanished), none that have followed matched the original specs at all really, but there’s zero interest.
Actually was all set up, invited and chased Jesse’s white one for about 2 years for quite a fair price just to get it next to his Dan Armstrong in my collection and thought the deal was set. Got a bit of a run around but eventually lost out to a guy willing to pay over twice as much as guess Keeler needed the cash. He’s dead to me now! ☠️😆
If anyone knows where that original bottle green one went after Rickebackerfarm sold it (think it went to Italy), then please let me know.
Cheers
Dean
South Wales
U.K.
re: "...while I can think of other custom built instruments that never made it to the catalog (the 4003/8s spring to mind)..."
You may want to check your catalogs...
The funny thing is I typed that and said “I’d probably better double check that”…and then didn’t. Thanks for keeping me honest.
These are beautiful, except i find the bridge placement awkward looking, and don’t play 30” scale well.
I meant to say I don’t play 30” scale basses comfortably.
The 4002 had a 5-ply b&w pickguard.
I knew I was missing something! Thanks, and corrected!