Blackstar vs 4001CS

hen_jin · Post by **hen_jin** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 2:21 pm

I am new here and suspect.

You should be suspicious since I was the moron who sold the last 4005 sold on EBay (the one I bought in 1977 which I then had it's neck spliced back together with a new head.) Remember that one? Don't you wish you had bought it? Imagine how I feel having sold it for a song???

I posted this question a while back over on The Dudepit because I lurk there with Guild short scale bass and Darkstar pickup issues. I got advice as to the collection value of each, but what I want to know is....

Which bass would you keep to PLAY, not collect???

I bought that 4001CS from Japan you were suspicious of because it has no certificate. I own a Blackstar I bought from a music store in 1989 with a certificate. I love it and have recorded with it. (I almost hesitate to bring it out of the house because of the GD collection value. Maybe I should sell them both.)

Which one would you'all rather PLAY?

Tomorrow I will string the CS with the same Ricky strings I have on the BS to compare, but I am seriously interested in what you folks think?

I am likely to sell one. But... even with some worn-out strings which have chewed up my fingers over the last few days, the CS sounds wonderful.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts, advice, wisdom and abuse.

jps · Post by **jps** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 2:35 pm

I'd keep the CS as that is essentially a 4001V63 and I play mine out all the time. I even play out with my '67 4005WB! I think the V63 horseshoe and toaster sound superb and is quite versatile.

bottom4 · Post by **bottom4** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 3:27 pm

I'll buy your Blackstar!

jps · Post by **jps** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 3:33 pm

See how this is working out?

admin · Post by **admin** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 3:44 pm

Derek: Welcome to the Rickenbacker Forum. This is a tough question and the answer may be best answered by a bassist, however, I will give you my two cents.

The 4001CS is a very fine bass and as Jeff says it is essentially a 4001V63 and has a nice toaster sound. To me, the Blackstar is somewhat more unique in that there are fewer of them and you have to love the microdots and the overall black appearance. Based on it being the rarer of the two, I would be holding on to the Blackstar as your chances of getting a 4001CS are much better than getting another Blackstar. Also, if you like the toaster sound a 4001V63 is also going to be easier to come by.

jnbass · Post by **jnbass** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 4:42 pm

ah you should sell the Blackstar...

To me!

hieronymous · Post by **hieronymous** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 4:56 pm

Personally, I don't like having extremely collectible guitars. Several years ago I bought an '85 Alembic Spoiler/Exploiter in mint condition, and just regular playing has resulted in numerous dents to the finish, thus lessening its "value" (still a great bass though!)

I was going to suggest that you keep both, put the Blackstar away and play the CS, but maybe it would make sense to sell the one that's worth more money (I assume the Blackstar?) and keep the other one. Or, sell the less valuable one, buy a player-instrument (like a used 4003), and put away the more valuable of the two for the future...

Oh, and I don't want the Blackstar! Remember, I don't like collector instruments, they stress me out and make me nervous...

hen_jin · Post by **hen_jin** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 5:31 pm

Harry Bridge (Hieronymous)said: Oh, and I don't want the Blackstar! Remember, I don't like collector instruments, they stress me out and make me nervous...
******

You know a while back I almost came to the same conclusion. But because the Blackstar is a JOY to play I contunued to take it out.

rickenbrother · Post by **rickenbrother** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 5:31 pm

The CS is very cool, but the Blackstar is one of the best looking Rick basses ever.

wints · Post by **wints** » Sat Apr 09, 2005 2:01 am

Even thought the Blackstar is far rarer than the CS, the latter is worth far more at current market prices.
Go figure....
So, if you want $$$ sell the CS. As Peter says you can always find another. (it will cost you tho'..) The Blackstar would be a far more difficult bass to acquire again...

bottom4 · Post by **bottom4** » Sat Apr 09, 2005 3:03 am

In approximate terms there were 5 times more CS’s produced than the Blackstar and the CS sells for 2 times as much (today).

If I had to make the decision, I would sell the CS. The BS is one of my favs – look wise that is – I have never played one.

But truly Derek, if you consider selling the BS look me up!

Cheers!

henry5 · Post by **henry5** » Sat Apr 09, 2005 3:17 am

I don't like having basses I feel I can't play. Although I have some fairly collectable basses, I don't own them for reasons of collectability, I own them to play. If I don't feel I can play them, I sell them. My CS is fantastic, but has some wear on it. Although it's worth more even in that condition, I feel much more comfortable playing it than the V63 I had, which was virtually mint, and which I could never settle with for that very reason. I'd be far too nervous to obtain a bass because it was "collectable" and keep it for that reason. I'd be terrified it might pick up a ding or something; plus I feel basses are meant to be played.

Like Andrew says, the Blackstar would be much harder to replace. Personally I'd much sooner have the CS, but that's just me and hardly news to most Forumites. Ultimately I feel only you can make the decision.... it's a difficult choice and one I don't envy you having to make!

rickaddict · Post by **rickaddict** » Sat Apr 09, 2005 4:08 am

Keep 'em both. Sell your car!

rickaddict · Post by **rickaddict** » Sat Apr 09, 2005 4:16 am

I'm not joking! You have two of the coolest looking, best playing, best sounding and most unique Rick basses made. The two have different tone and a very different look. Find a way to make it work!

bottom4 · Post by **bottom4** » Sat Apr 09, 2005 4:35 am

agree!