1972 Fireglo 4001 on the 'Bay

rick_ovic · Post by **rick_ovic** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 9:48 pm

Steve,

Thanks for reminding me again of the pain I went through last week deliberating whether to hit the Buy It Now button or not!...(smacks forehead with hand once again). Still, I'm glad it's going to someone who needs it more than I do. I had my luck a few months back when my '73 4001FG (with all the right bits) cost me less than $1000.

wints · Post by **wints** » Tue Jul 26, 2005 12:48 am

I have a 73 with C/B that's going on E Bay in a week or two. A weird one with a 1" spaced guard, which I thought can't be original, but it does look like a stock Ric guard, has the original pots and the holes have been masked factory style. It has the shorter inlays. All this and an MC serial number....

bassman · Post by **bassman** » Tue Jul 26, 2005 3:58 am

Andrew, I guess consistant wasn't a word that was used when it came to manufacturing the 4001 model during the first half of 1973.

My 73 MD has all of the standard vintage features on it that a 72 has, except it has Mother of Pearl full width inlays instead of Crushed Sparkle.

I was speaking with Mike Parks a couple of weeks ago. He has a 73 4001 BG coming in that has a serial number 11 digits higher than my bass. His 4001 is identical to mine.

It goes without saying that 1973 was a very interesting year for the 4001.

wints · Post by **wints** » Tue Jul 26, 2005 7:35 am

My Fretless is an MD serial number too Jon.

bassman · Post by **bassman** » Tue Jul 26, 2005 7:52 am

Andrew, above or below MD 1500?

The 73 BG 4001 that Mike Parks has coming in is serial number MD 1593.

wints · Post by **wints** » Tue Jul 26, 2005 9:02 am

It's MD1289 Jon.

bassman · Post by **bassman** » Tue Jul 26, 2005 9:46 am

Cool, your bass and mine, along with the one Mike Parks has must have been made within a few days of each other. Yours and mine are less that 300 digits apart.

I wish there way a way to find out the exact date of manufacture. I wouldn't dare ask JH this question cause I know all their records from back then are stored on paper, and someone would have to go and dig out the information. Yikes!

ken_swearingen · Post by **ken_swearingen** » Tue Jul 26, 2005 11:01 am

I made the mistake of writing that Rickenbacker didn't keep good records this prompted a email from JH saying that Ric has records of everything dating back to the 30s and he plans on getting too it one day when he retires,being that they are fretlesses they were probably made back to back to back.

rick_ovic · Post by **rick_ovic** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 12:00 am

Well, it's ironic that I started this thread more than 50 posts ago whinging about "the one that got away". You might recall there was a nice, original condition '72 4001 FG listed on eBay with a low BIN price, and I hesitated...only to see the bidding commence and end up around US$2000.

Yesterday at work I had a little peak on eBay and lo and behold, guess what had been relisted?? The high bidder never paid at the end of the original auction and the bass was once again on the market!

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7350621457&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT&rd=1

The best part was that the seller relisted it with the same BIN price.....and I wasn't going to pass up the opportunity a second time!! I didn't hesitate to press the button.

So now I join the exclusive '72 club! Yaaaay!

What are the odds of getting a second bite of the cherry at this price!!??

The bass is now on it's way to NJ ready for me to pick up on Saturday when I fly across this Pacific Ocean to the US. What a great way for me to start my US holiday! Wooohooo!

ozover50 · Post by **ozover50** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 12:07 am

I assume you're chartering an Antonov to bring all your goodies home, Darren!!

Congratulations - waaaay to goooooo!!

marc61 · Post by **marc61** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 12:07 am

Darren, On Saturday, pick up the bass in New Jersey, then go over the Tappen Zee Bridge. This will take you into NY, specifically Westchester County. I will give you directions to my home from there where you can drop it off for safe keeping while you vacation.

Seriously...nice bass..enjoy your holiday and your new family member...

rick_ovic · Post by **rick_ovic** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 12:41 am

Howard, I found out this week that the Free Trade Agreement between Oz and US means that if we purchase US made goods in the States and bring them back to Oz with us, we pay no duty whatsoever! Too good eh? I've purchased a marine cargo insurance policy this week which covers any guitar I ship between Oz and the US. This hobby is getting way too serious!

Marc, thanks for your comments. If I see your front light on when I drive past your house, I'll drop in, OK? The Central New York guitar show is on Sunday Sept 25 at LeMoyne Manor, Liverpool NY (Syracuse)......are you going?

rick_ovic · Post by **rick_ovic** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 12:54 am

Marc, by the way, I'm so glad you took the plunge on that wonderful 4005. I'd be happy to reciprocate bass baby-sitting duties for you anytime!

dswp · Post by **dswp** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 2:09 am

Darren, that was a great deal.

Congratulations.

thx1955 · Post by **thx1955** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 5:51 am

Darren,
Congratulations, and welcome the the 72's ... especially Fireglo, looks really nice.

We should take a roll call of the 72's and see who all is there.