Is this getting out of hand?

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Sun Feb 12, 2006 11:32 am

Nice bass. Very pretty but $1800?

http://cgi.ebay.com/81-RICKENBACKER-4003-RARE-DOT-INLAY-FIREGLO-H-CASE_W0QQitemZ7387406382QQcategoryZ4713QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

leftyguitars · Post by **leftyguitars** » Sun Feb 12, 2006 12:09 pm

Ted, for over here that is a very good price.

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Sun Feb 12, 2006 12:20 pm

Ok. I guess I am not aware of the disparity between US and UK pricing.

edski · Post by **edski** » Sun Feb 12, 2006 12:26 pm

If this is indeed a 1981, wouldn't it be among the first 4003's produced?

bob_atherton · Post by **bob_atherton** » Sun Feb 12, 2006 12:29 pm

I guess there has to be a downside to living over here in the UK.

We are so lucky to have our weather, cuisine, beaches..etc, etc

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Sun Feb 12, 2006 12:33 pm

It just keeps you from getting TOO fat and happy.

s4001 · Post by **s4001** » Sun Feb 12, 2006 1:48 pm

"I guess there has to be a downside to living over here in the UK.
We are so lucky to have our weather, cuisine, beaches..etc, etc"

Here in California, we've got those, too. Oh, and we've also got a little factory over in Santa Ana called Rickenbacker.

phlemmy · Post by **phlemmy** » Sun Feb 12, 2006 2:25 pm

4003's started rolling out in 1980, i have one of them.

is this a 4003s? i thought all of the s models had the single input jack.

rikk · Post by **rikk** » Sun Feb 12, 2006 3:01 pm

I can't figure out why these things sell for so much. I'm not talking about just the S models. New Ric's are not that hard to find. Granted they may not be in your local store but they are out there. To spend as much or more on a used bass--that's not of a vintage year-- is beyond my comprehension.

jnbass · Post by **jnbass** » Sun Feb 12, 2006 7:54 pm

someone will buy it...

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Sun Feb 12, 2006 8:40 pm

A few S basses were made stereo, there is or was at least one member with one and today's perceived run of the mill bass may be tomorrows classic.

ilan · Post by **ilan** » Sun Feb 12, 2006 11:06 pm

Scott, I think Bob was being sarcastic...

I didn't want to say anything before the auction ended, knowing that Simon wanted it. But this is IMHO one of the less desirable Rics. It has all my least favorite features: no binding, Fireglo finish (sorry!), dot neck, baby headstock, split guard, 1-inch pickup spacing, and the FAT horns.

I know there weren't many of those made, I'm just saying there might be a good reason for that...

Again - just my personal opinion, YMMV, etc.

simonmole · Post by **simonmole** » Mon Feb 13, 2006 1:26 am

I passed on that one - I must admit I'm amazed what it finally went for! (I was thinking "oh, if that stalls around £550 UK pounds I'll have a go"...some hope!!).Mine is a nice example though - while a split guard, etc, wasn't my first choice, my autumnglo (bought cheap as part of a deal to get my fireglo '72!!) remains a great player.

john_l · Post by **john_l** » Mon Feb 13, 2006 4:39 am

I have a bass just like that one. It has some of my favorite features: no binding, dot neck, fireglo finish, and a right-side-up headstock. You can't find that in a new 4001/3 and used ones aren't that common either. And the aged fireglo from that era is beautiful, IMO.

s4001 · Post by **s4001** » Mon Feb 13, 2006 5:15 am

Ian, I was just joshin' Sometimes something gets lost on the brown on beige translation.

The Ric-o-sound unit is unusual. I guess that would make that a fairly rare bass. Worth that kind or money...? Who knows.