Rickenbacker Bass Guitars
Step into a legacy of thunderous low-end, iconic design, and unmistakable growl with our curated collection of rickenbacker bass guitars. Handcrafted in Santa Ana, California, since the mid-20th century, Rickenbacker instruments represent the absolute pinnacle of American boutique luthiery. Renowned for their robust neck-through construction, versatile dual truss rods, and striking body contours, a rickenbacker bass guitar delivers professional-grade performance and tone. As a premier authorized dealer for rickenbacker bass guitars uk, MusicStreet is proud to offer these exceptional instruments.
An instrument of this caliber deserves nothing less than perfection. Every single rickenbacker basses model we sell undergoes a rigorous, multi-point inspection and a professional workshop setup (worth £75) by our expert techs in our Huntingdon showroom before shipping, ensuring flawless playability straight out of the box.
✓ Handcrafted in Santa Ana, California ✓ Free UK Delivery ✓ Professional Setup Included
Explore Rickenbacker Bass Guitars at MusicStreet
The MusicStreet Setup Advantage: Why Your Rickenbacker Bass Deserves It
Rickenbacker basses are celebrated worldwide for their unique construction and legendary growl, but they are also among the most setup-sensitive instruments on the market. Because Rickenbacker utilizes a highly specialized dual-truss-rod system and a neck-through-body design, adjusting the neck relief requires expert calibration. Without a precise setup, players can experience neck twists, uneven string action, bridge rattles, and tuning instability.
At MusicStreet, we ensure your Rickenbacker performs flawlessly from the moment you open the case. We perform a **complimentary £75 professional workshop setup** on every single Rickenbacker bass we sell. Our expert luthiers adjust the dual truss rods, file the nut slots to prevent string binding, set the bridge height and saddle radius for a comfortable low action, set the intonation, and polish the frets to ensure your new instrument plays like a dream straight out of the box.
🔧 Free £75 Professional Setup
Every Rickenbacker bass is individually set up in our in-house workshop. We adjust the action, intonation, and dual truss rods to match your playing style, ensuring it plays perfectly straight out of the box.
🛡️ 12-Month Warranty
We stand behind every instrument we sell. All of our Rickenbacker basses come with a full 12-month warranty, giving you complete peace of mind with your purchase.
🚚 Free UK Delivery & 14-Day Returns
Get free, fully insured UK shipping on all orders over £99. If the bass isn't the perfect fit for your hands, return it to us within 14 days for a hassle-free refund or exchange.
Explore the Rickenbacker Bass Lineup
Rickenbacker's bass lineup features a diverse range of models designed to meet the needs of modern technical players, vintage purists, and stage performers. Explore our core offerings:
Rickenbacker 4003
The deluxe flagship model. The **Rickenbacker 4003** features elegant body and neck binding, iconic pearloid triangle fretboard inlays, and the dual-mono/stereo "Rick-O-Sound" output jack system. Equipped with high-output single-coil pickups and a push-pull treble tone control for vintage/modern voicing, it delivers massive sustain and that legendary clanky growl.
Rickenbacker 4003S
Streamlined vintage style. The **Rickenbacker 4003S** features a contoured, unbound body edge that many players find more comfortable for the right forearm, classic dot fretboard inlays, and a standard mono output. It pays direct homage to the 1960s models favored by Paul McCartney, delivering authentic Rickenbacker tone with a sleek, minimalist feel.
USA-Made Heritage & Pre-Owned
Uncompromising attention to detail. Handcrafted in Santa Ana, California, Rickenbacker basses are built to stand out. We also stock a constantly rotating selection of certified pre-owned instruments. Explore our used range in our Pre-Owned Collection or view the parent Bass Guitars collection.
Guitar Trade-In & Part-Exchange Program
Ready to upgrade your current bass? We make it incredibly easy to trade in your pre-owned gear. Through our straightforward guitar part-exchange program, you can bring your old bass, guitar, amplifier, or effects pedals into our showroom (or send us details online) and put its value directly toward any new or used Rickenbacker bass in our store.
Visit Our Huntingdon Guitar Showroom
If you are searching for premium guitar shops in Cambridgeshire, come visit our showroom in Huntingdon. Located at 10 Chequers Court, our showroom features a dedicated electric guitar and bass room where you can sit back, play, and compare different neck profiles, scale lengths, and pickup configurations side-by-side. We are easily accessible from Cambridge, Peterborough, and Bedford, with convenient parking nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rickenbacker Basses
What is the main difference between the Rickenbacker 4003 and 4003S? +
The **Rickenbacker 4003** is the deluxe model featuring body and neck binding, pearloid triangle inlays, and "Rick-O-Sound" stereo output capability. The **Rickenbacker 4003S** is a more streamlined version with a contoured, unbound body (which is smoother on the forearm), dot inlays, and a standard mono output. Both share the same pickups, neck-through construction, and tonewoods.
What is Rick-O-Sound and how does it work? +
Rick-O-Sound is Rickenbacker's proprietary stereo output system. It splits the signal of the neck and bridge pickups into two separate channels using a stereo Y-cable. This allows you to send the neck pickup to a clean bass amplifier for deep lows, and the bridge pickup to a slightly overdriven guitar amplifier for clanky, aggressive mids and highs—creating a massive, bi-amped tone.
What is included in your £75 professional setup? +
Our expert in-house technicians perform a complete multi-point inspection. This includes adjusting the neck relief (truss rod), setting the optimal string action (height) at both the nut and bridge saddles, setting the intonation, cleaning and conditioning the fretboard, polishing the frets, checking all electronics/pots, and installing a fresh set of premium strings.
Can I trade in my old gear toward a purchase? +
Absolutely. We offer a highly competitive part-exchange program. You can bring your gear directly to our Huntingdon showroom for an on-the-spot valuation, or contact us online with photos and details to receive a preliminary trade-in estimate.
The Rickenbacker Bass Legacy: Decades of Low-End Innovation
The story of rickenbacker bass 4001 and its modern successors is deeply intertwined with the history of rock, progressive metal, and indie music. Originally introduced in 1957, Rickenbacker's solid-body basses pioneered advanced neck-through-body construction, utilizing highly stable multi-laminate necks and custom-wound pickups to deliver a highly articulate, punchy voice with unparalleled sustain.
This uncompromising commitment to quality is why legendary bassists like Paul McCartney (The Beatles), Geddy Lee (Rush), Chris Squire (Yes), and Lemmy Kilmister (Motörhead) made Rickenbacker their primary tool of choice.
Explore Iconic Rickenbacker Bass Models
The Rickenbacker 4003 Bass
The undisputed flagship of the Rickenbacker bass lineup. The rickenbacker bass 4003 is famous for its striking, highly ergonomic body contours, beautiful triangular pearloid fingerboard inlays, and advanced active/passive electronics. With its specialized push-pull treble tone selector, the 4003 allows you to switch between the classic, warm vintage character of the 4001 and the modern, high-output punch of the 4003.
The Rickenbacker 4003S Bass
Designed for players who value comfort and traditional aesthetics. The rickenbacker bass 4003s features a rounded, non-bound body shape and classic dot fingerboard inlays. This design offers exceptional ergonomic comfort for your forearm, while delivering the exact same thunderous low-end growl, neck-through sustain, and dual-pickup versatility as the standard 4003.
The Rick-O-Sound Stereo Output
A signature feature of the Rickenbacker 4003. The Rick-O-Sound stereo output allows you to route the neck and bridge pickups to two separate amplifiers or channels. This enables you to apply different effects or EQ settings to each pickup—such as running a clean, deep low-end from the neck pickup to a bass amp, while routing a distorted, bright midrange from the bridge pickup to a guitar amp—unlocking a massive, multi-dimensional stage presence.
4. The MusicStreet Difference: Workshop-Prepared Playability
At MusicStreet, we don't believe in "box shifting"—especially when it comes to premium, USA-made instruments. A bass guitar is a living, breathing piece of wood, and its playability is highly sensitive to setup.
Every single Rickenbacker bass guitar that leaves our Huntingdon showroom undergoes a rigorous, multi-point inspection and a professional workshop setup (worth £75) by our expert guitar techs. We adjust the action, neck relief, nut slots, and saddle height to ensure your new Rickenbacker plays effortlessly and sounds spectacular straight out of the box.
- No Drop-Shipping: Every guitar listed on our site is physically in stock at our Huntingdon store.
- 1-Year Warranty: We back every instrument we sell with a comprehensive 1-year warranty.
- Free UK Shipping: Enjoy free, fully insured UK shipping on all orders over £99, with competitive rates worldwide.
- Flexible Financing: Buy with confidence using Klarna or PayPal split payments.
5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why are Rickenbacker bass guitars so highly regarded?
Rickenbacker basses are handcrafted in the USA using premium, hand-selected tonewoods and unique structural innovations (such as neck-through construction and dual truss rods). This results in an instrument of unparalleled build quality, playability, and a distinct, growling "Rickenbacker voice" characterized by incredible sustain, clarity, and harmonic complexity.
What is the difference between the Rickenbacker 4003 and 4003S?
The standard 4003 features a bound body and neck with deluxe triangular pearloid fingerboard inlays. The 4003S features a rounded, non-bound body shape and classic dot fingerboard inlays, offering exceptional ergonomic comfort for your forearm while delivering the exact same tone and sustain.
Does my Rickenbacker bass guitar come set up?
Yes. Every Rickenbacker bass purchased from MusicStreet receives a professional, custom setup in our in-house workshop before dispatch. If you have specific preferences for string gauge or tuning, simply let us know when placing your order, and our techs will configure it to your exact specifications.
Can I try these basses in person?
Absolutely. We welcome you to visit our independent showroom at 10 Chequers Court, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire. You can get hands-on with our collection, test them through premium amplifiers, and get honest, expert advice from our team of working musicians.
