My god, that '68 4001S is THE MOST BEAUTIFUL bass I've ever seen . . . more so than any of the mapleglo ones that I usually love . . . is it really that color in real life?
I've got to second Bobcat's evaluation. Usually it is the maples that get me. This one and one other very nicely yellowed to red flame were drop dead gorgous and worth lusting after. Then there are the nicely blended Autumnglos.... sigh...
I repaired some frets on a 4004CII tonight for Mr. X and - OK - I am pretty sure Jeff is right about there not being any finish on some of the 4004CII fingerboards. The lustre of the wood must just be from buffing / polishing.