Hi everyone, my name's Jonny and a bass player(NOT really a collector!!), from London, England and I've got a few questions regarding a 1967 Fireglo 4001 that I've seen for sale in a reputable store over here in London...It appears to be totally original and is in excellent condition, with the horseshoe + toaster p/u.s, checkered binding, crushed sparkle markers - is there anything else i need to look for?? (It's strung with roundwounds, but seems fine). Also, the jackplate letters are M and E.
Have tried it out and it looks amazing and sounds great - although the bridge is set too low for my taste and the metal either side of the dampers seems to have been ground down a little, to allow for the super-low action. The other problem is the horseshoe p/u is much quieter than the neck p/u, but doesn't seem too far from the strings.
The asking price is "an ouch": £3500 - that's pounds sterling...is this too much? Would it be a good investment, although as I've said, I'm gonna play it - live and in the studio - not just look at it !!! Any help/info/comments would be very much appreciated as I'm new to Rickenbacker world...thanks!
1967 Fireglo 4001 - UK Ricky virgin requests comments!!
Moderators: rickenbrother, ajish4
Jonny: You are looking at a Rickenbacker vintage bass, however, there may be additional issues considering that discrepancy in the pickup output. I consider that 3500GBP, that is $5725 US or $8725 Canadian dollars is over the top for a 1967 Model 4001 unless it was owned or played by someone famous. If it is great action and the classic Rickenbacker sound and look you want, I would be inclined to shop around for a 4001V63. The bass you describe does sound somewhat weathered and you may not get your money back out of it, especially if you are going to gig with it.
Let's see what othere have to say. It just seems altogether too much money unless you have fallen in love with it, then the sky may be the limit.
Let's see what othere have to say. It just seems altogether too much money unless you have fallen in love with it, then the sky may be the limit.
Life, as with music, often requires one to let go of the melody and listen to the rhythm
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Peter is right--this sounds too high...It was only last summer that a REALLY nice 1963 4001 went off on ebay for US$3750.00, and from a collecting standpoint, a bit more desireable than a '67. In fact there are a few pre-1960 4000 basses that could be had for under $5000.00....the '67 might as well be not for sale, unless what Peter referred to(celeb-owned)figures into the price....Good Luck Jonny!
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jwr2
I'd eagerly snap it up, but not for that sort of money - way too much to ask for a '67 4001. UNLESS it was in dead mint condition with no issues whatsoever. One thing's for sure, up there in England they tend to overprice Rickenbackers. Not nice.
A Rickenbacker bass is much like the Jaguar E car - perennially ultra-fashionable.
That's a nice one, Johnny. In fact, one of my dream RIC basses. But the asking price is way too much.
I'd buy it if they ask1600 pounds for for it. And this is for my collecting(it's a gem anyway), not playing it.
Hmmmm.....toaster and checkered binding....sweeter than honey!
Get a 4001 V63 if you can live without any body binding.
Or get a new 4003 if you just want a working bass with body binding.
Then start your collection from there.(Never enough RIC basses in the house!)
Good luck.
I'd buy it if they ask1600 pounds for for it. And this is for my collecting(it's a gem anyway), not playing it.
Hmmmm.....toaster and checkered binding....sweeter than honey!
Get a 4001 V63 if you can live without any body binding.
Or get a new 4003 if you just want a working bass with body binding.
Then start your collection from there.(Never enough RIC basses in the house!)
Good luck.
Jonny, those U.K. prices always make people around the world shake their heads, but that,s the market there...As a english guy in the states I,m aware of both markets and values...it,s a lot better here with more choice and lower prices.Any chance you could post a few pictures, or direct us to a website where it could be viewed, so the guys could take a closer look....They are great basses whether you play or collect. The 60,s necks are out there on their own for playability. The horseshoe output varies because of the design, some strings sound louder than others..That,s not unusual. I,d like to take a closer look at the ground down bridge...another potential problem area for a bass this old. With so few of these basses remaining, and very few in good condition, a few here might not take that risk of having it as your main work instrument...$5K is collector money...When will you ever see another one? Not for a long while in the U.K probably, so if you really want it, get it. You rarely regret buying something that you really want...where you nearly always do when you don,t...And if it,s it great condition then it will hold it,s U.K value. Just be very careful with it!!
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bigbadjonny
Big thanks to all for the comments! Sorry, but I don't think any pics are available...And yup Andrew, you are right about how rare these basses are in the UK - I've never seen one here, which is why I'm still seriously considering going for it...!
Have been told that there was a fire in the Rick factory in '67, so very few instruments were made that year...have no idea if this is true tho! Regarding the cost of this particular bass, early 70's 4001s' go for between £1200 - £1800 in the UK. So maybe the price isn't so bad. Also, having asked a few people here, a vintage instrument that's $3000 will, once it's shipped to the UK and the dreaded tax has been paid, cost abot the same amount in pounds sterling!! Have just seen a delicious Mapleglo '73 with checkered binding in another store, going for £1700...oh help!! Will let you all know what I buy and may post some pics...and of course, I'm open to any of you guys offering me something tasty...guys? guys? where'd you all go????
Have been told that there was a fire in the Rick factory in '67, so very few instruments were made that year...have no idea if this is true tho! Regarding the cost of this particular bass, early 70's 4001s' go for between £1200 - £1800 in the UK. So maybe the price isn't so bad. Also, having asked a few people here, a vintage instrument that's $3000 will, once it's shipped to the UK and the dreaded tax has been paid, cost abot the same amount in pounds sterling!! Have just seen a delicious Mapleglo '73 with checkered binding in another store, going for £1700...oh help!! Will let you all know what I buy and may post some pics...and of course, I'm open to any of you guys offering me something tasty...guys? guys? where'd you all go????