Bassic Colors No. 13 – Sea Green, the first COY!

[bassduke49]

One must wonder how well the "Color of the Year" idea went when it was introduced in 2000. Remember, the RRF wasn't around at that time, and internet chatter was in its infancy. Did RIC depend on dealer notifications and trade shows to trumpet new products and features? Apparently, the first if the COYs didn't sell well. You can imagine dealers used to the usual Jetglo, Fireglo, Mapleglo, and Midnight, may not have taken to this unRick color. In retrospect, there may not be that many fans of it now, but the few that may have been built (who knows how many?) are highly sought after by collectors. It took me better than three years to land one, a 4003 bought from Ampeg Bob Young. Through this forum, I've become aware of a measly half-dozen or so. While theoretically available for all bass models, I know of only 4003 and 4001V63 basses in Sea Green. Speaking of them, here's a shot of the reunion of two, my 4003 and Steve Wood's V63, taken at the RIO last year. Notice that the 4003 is juuussst a bit greener than Steve's V63.

So let's see some more - if there are any more!

[johnallg]

Ahhh, the Steve Wood thread.

[libratune]

Here's one:

4003 SG

[86kubicki]

This is going to be a short thread Paul! Aside from you and me, I haven't heard of any other forum members with Sea Green basses, (someone prove me wrong!)

[86kubicki]

Any idea where that one came from Ron?

[libratune]

Any idea where that one came from Ron?

I bought it on ebay about 4-5 months ago from Cream City Music in WI. It's been played and shows a bit more cosmetic wear than you can tell from the photo.

[kennyhowes]

330 in Sea Green = BLOWS MY MIND.

I had two of them. Dumb sell.

[cheyenne]

Anyone seen this one over at Olivia's Vintage?
http://www.oliviasvintageguitars.com/bass/guitars/202/

[johnallg]

Uhh, 5 Gs??? Nope.

[ilan]

Wait for the Blueboys to yellow enough, you'll see more "Surf Greens"

[libratune]

Wait for the Blueboys to yellow enough, you'll see more "Surf Greens"

That's exactly right. Based on the Fender custom color chart from the '60s, "Surf Green" is very close to the light mint green that some of the Blue Boys are morphing into. "Foam Green" is a darker green and is the Fender color closest to RIC's "Sea Green."

[gearhed289]

Anyone seen this one over at Olivia's Vintage?
http://www.oliviasvintageguitars.com/bass/guitars/202/

Sweet bass. Stupid price. Guess they need to pay their photographer somehow!

[chucksimms]

Does seem a little steep for them (I generally think Olivia's is one of the more reasonable of the high profile vintage/used Rick dealers), but how many of those basses could there be? A cool out of production bass in a rare colour so it might actually go for that. Still, five thousand? Whoa.

[86kubicki]

The unique thing about the Sea Green 4001V63 is that it was the only V63 that was also a "colour of the year". The V63 was then discontinued in favour of the C64 which only came in Mapleglo, Fireglo and the occasional Jetglo.

[fatcat]

One must wonder how well the "Color of the Year" idea went when it was introduced in 2000. Remember, the RRF wasn't around at that time, and internet chatter was in its infancy. Did RIC depend on dealer notifications and trade shows to trumpet new products and features?

That may have not been enough to get the word out.
My experience re: the 370-12 RM may indicate how things worked: I would have never known if not for an article in a guitar magazine, that announced it (and the 381-12).None of the local area dealers had been alerted to it, and were surprised at my inquiries.I suppose that they would be equally ignorant of the COY.