OK Paul...here's your dream bass

dminer · Post by **dminer** » Mon Feb 03, 2003 8:38 am

This just popped up on ebay.....http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2505671803&category=4713

banta · Post by **banta** » Mon Feb 03, 2003 8:45 am

"...one of only 17 made that year."

Really?

rickengrowl · Post by **rickengrowl** » Mon Feb 03, 2003 8:56 am

Just for curiosity... Can some experts down there confirm it is a genuine and all-original one ?

All the best,

Jean

paul_yan · Post by **paul_yan** » Mon Feb 03, 2003 9:42 am

Oh maaaann, you nearly gave me a heart attack, David!!!
Isn't that a beauty?! Now my little piggy should worry.
My dream bass indeed-checkered binding, toaster neck PU, MOP edge-to-edge inlays etc. And it looks to be in quite mint condition too except the light buckle wear on the back. The transparent looking nut material is beyond my limited knowledge though.

Actually, that '63 4001FG was up on ebay last early September by the same seller. My computer saved the file when it was $2551.01 without the reserve being met. I reckon the seller wants at least $3000-4000 for it.

The seller stated:"Previously owned by one of the worlds finest bass players who has played with some of the top names in Rock and Roll history, including Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page! "

Wonder who could that be?

G.A.S. strikes again...(Should I accept to do the album project that I've been refusing?)

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Mon Feb 03, 2003 10:26 am

Yes...a very nice piece offered up again; I don't think it's the same one I posted about last May of '02, that one was in Nevada..unless this is the guy that bought that bass...

To my eyes it all looks okay, right down to the case...I believe you can see the metal mounting base for the horseshoe p/up(the re-issues have a plastic base). The nut may have been replaced at one point, but that wouldn't bother me..the Fireglo seems to have faded somewhat on the front--the shading seems to be a deeper red on the back, but it all looks original. The '63 4001 on ebay in May '02 didn't have the clear finger-pull on the pickguard either.

A great example of a pre-Beatlemania Rickenbacker bass. And yes everyone, I do have a birthday coming up...pool your resources!!!

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Mon Feb 03, 2003 10:36 am

It looks like the real deal to me ... a lot like my '68 ... Notice the very slightly different shaped toaster .... and the bridge ... well if you could see the bridge it would be a 3 screw model not a 5 or 7 like the modern ricks ... I've never seen one that orangeish before ... must be the lighting ... or is it a refin??? ... also the hairline crack in the pickguard makes it look genuine ... another clue would be if the screws for the toaster and nameplate are straight and not philips ....

Those '60's neck are major cool ...

rickcrazy · Post by **rickcrazy** » Mon Feb 03, 2003 10:46 am

Heyyyy! Hot mama! Paul, this is the one - don't let it get away. Beg, borrow, steal, I couldn't give a penguin's pajamas!
At first glance it appears to be all original.
Snap it up, someone!

rickcrazy · Post by **rickcrazy** » Mon Feb 03, 2003 11:01 am

Just out of curiosity: why is there a fourth fixing screw on the nameplate? (At the 'a'). And what is that 'bald spot', as it were, in the finish, near the base of the top body horn? Maybe we are looking at a refinish, after all. Your comments, please.

admin · Post by **admin** » Mon Feb 03, 2003 11:13 am

This bass is genuine in my view. I can't help but wonder, however, why the name of the "Famous" bass player isn't mentioned. This would surely be an important factor in the sale of this vintage instrument.

The flag starts to go to the top of the pole for me when the complete serial is not reported and famous people we can't know about are thrown in for good measure.

It will be most interesting to see what the selling price will be.

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Mon Feb 03, 2003 11:56 am

Sergio, that is just a design charectaristic of the 4001 at that period in history...Most if not all of the 1963's I've observed have had the 4th screw in the nameplate at the 'a'..To speculate, it may have had something to do with the size of the nameplate itself.

As far as the finish, I believe it to be original; the finishes at this period tend to be thin and wear easier than what is out today, and the light red-orange color is typical of the time(1962-1964..especially on 425, 450 and 625 models....)

rickcrazy · Post by **rickcrazy** » Mon Feb 03, 2003 1:06 pm

I stand corrected. Thanks, John.

admin · Post by **admin** » Mon Feb 03, 2003 1:38 pm

Here is a photo of the Model 4001 crafted in 1963.

paul_yan · Post by **paul_yan** » Mon Feb 03, 2003 1:55 pm

I emailed the seller asking who the previous owner was.

The seller replied:"I will reveal the name and
documentation to the winner only. Sorry."

johnhall · Post by **johnhall** » Mon Feb 03, 2003 2:13 pm

If I was allowed only one guess, and this instrument was truly owned by such a player, I'd guess the previous owner was Prakash John.

paul_yan · Post by **paul_yan** » Mon Feb 03, 2003 2:35 pm

Prakash John.
Who's he? (You really have to forgive me for being ignorant this time, brothers.)