What are the best years for Rickenbacker basses?

rickcrazy · Post by **rickcrazy** » Sun Dec 22, 2002 12:52 am

Hi, Paul. Thanks for reading my post. Well, all modesty aside, yes, my '70 4001 is the ultimate Rick bass. Selling it? I wouldn't dream of it.
You mention a 4001FG from the '70s or '80s. Do try and talk the owner into selling it to you. I would!
In my country (Portugal, Europe) there aren't any RIC dealers either, yet used 4001/4003 basses do crop up every once in a while. However, some people over here seem to think that '70s and '80s Ricks are worth a king's ransom - a local music store is asking $ 2 000 for a 2nd-hand 1979 4001MG, which is an unrealistic price.

paul_yan · Post by **paul_yan** » Sun Dec 22, 2002 2:29 am

As a matter of fact, I'm only willing to pay no more than the equivalant of 700 USD(680 Euro) for that late '70s/early '80s RIC bass if he could part with her.
Talk about ridiculous asking prices, there's this store in my city(Taipei) that displays a pretty beatup early '80s midnite blue 4001 in a see-thru case asking for the equivalant of 2700 USD because RICs are so rare. You may be able to talk it down to 2000 USD but that's still a "fool's price" for me. I may be able to get the same thing for (under?) 800 USD on ebay and have it shipped to me via Fedex (for 220 USD).
Well, I'll just try my best acquiring all the RIC basses(hopefully among them one like your 1970 4001) within my financial power, without upsetting my wife ha ha ha.

rickcrazy · Post by **rickcrazy** » Sun Dec 22, 2002 4:49 am

I'd say music stores tend to ask more unrealistic prices than private owners do. Back in September I paid 1000 Euro for a 1980 4001BG owned by a local bassplayer.
Re my 1970 21-fret 4001, please see sub-topic "1973, The Transition Year" herebelow. Clic on "Archive through June 04, 2002" and you will see an early 1971 21-fret 4001 identical to mine. This particular one cropped up on Ebay a few months ago, so another one is bound to come along in the near future. Keep the faith.
While you're at it, drop in on "Calling All 4080 Owners" for more interesting stuff.

paul_yan · Post by **paul_yan** » Sun Dec 22, 2002 11:13 am

Sergio,
You might be the only one here owning both a 4080 and an 'Ultimate RIC Bass". And you don't even live in the US.
Be very very proud.

rickcrazy · Post by **rickcrazy** » Sun Dec 22, 2002 12:19 pm

Thanks, Paul. Well, what can a man say? Am I a bona fide Rickenbacker lover or what? Seriously, though, I find it a bit of a shame that no one else here owns a 4080. Granted, they are a bit expensive and somewhat unwieldy, but look at the bright side - they are truly compelling in both sounds and looks. Sell your car, your F****r or G****n guitars, I don't care, but get a 4080, guys!

rob · Post by **rob** » Mon Dec 23, 2002 5:52 am

Sergio-
Got one for sale that I can easily afford?
If so, I'm interested!!

rickcrazy · Post by **rickcrazy** » Mon Dec 23, 2002 10:49 am

Well, not anymore. I sold one of my mid-seventies J-basses to an Australian guy a couple of weeks ago. The idea was (is) to get money to try and talk someone I sold my 1982 4001FG to in 2000 into selling it back to me. No luck so far.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Mon Dec 23, 2002 11:53 am

All I want for Christmas is a brand new Ric!!!

rick12dr · Post by **rick12dr** » Mon Dec 23, 2002 2:18 pm

Have you owned more than 1 Rick bass? Perhaps more than 1 at a time? Is there 1 in particular
you like better than the others?Then THAT is the Best year Ricks were made,as far as you are concerned.

rickcrazy · Post by **rickcrazy** » Tue Dec 24, 2002 12:07 am

Don, I think you do have a point. I like all my 4001s and my 4080, but I like my 1970 21-fret best. My 1974 4001 comes next. And I certainly loved a 1982 4001FG I owned from 1996 to 2000: it was heavy and had a chunky neck, but it was really special.