Finding Old Ricks Locally

johnallg · Post by **johnallg** » Thu May 25, 2006 5:08 pm

Ok, when you live in a relative Podunk with historically very limited music stores and no RIC dealers through the years, how do you go about finding old models? Where do you look? I like the hunt....

woodsgirl · Post by **woodsgirl** » Thu May 25, 2006 5:38 pm

I dunno, I live in BFE, also, and here, no one can even believe that I play Rics! NO one else has one that I know of, although I am sure they must! I wonder if it would do any good to run an ad in your local paper-----buying vintage guitar, 'specially Rics...................

bigbajo60 · Post by **bigbajo60** » Thu May 25, 2006 7:58 pm

BFE...

Somewhere in Northern Africa, I gather?

leftyguitars · Post by **leftyguitars** » Thu May 25, 2006 9:10 pm

(B)e(F)ore (E)lecticity?

chefothefuture · Post by **chefothefuture** » Thu May 25, 2006 9:10 pm

Well -
In Hawaii there aren't that many vintage dealers.
I've done ok online and through adds....
That and an occasional copy of VG helps...

jnbass · Post by **jnbass** » Thu May 25, 2006 11:45 pm

yup...

teeder · Post by **teeder** » Fri May 26, 2006 3:28 am

I'm in the same boat.
The best shop around here has had three Rick basses through in 20 years!

I really want a pre-73 4001, but would like to try it out first. That's just not going to happen around here.

4003 · Post by **4003** » Fri May 26, 2006 3:30 am

I have found 2 of mine at Garage/Yard sales! Almost got rear-ended once when I slammed on the brakes because I saw the distinctive Truss Rod Cover in the back of a garage as I was driving down a street in my own neighborhood! It turned out to be a 1976 Model 480. I also have found stuff in the "backroom" of small music shops. Get to know the owner and ask if you can rummage around in his junk. I'm still working a deal on a late 60's 4001 I found in the back of a local music store. I live in a town of 18,000 people in rural Indiana and have acquired 3 Rics locally and hopefully be adding the 4th one soon.

kcole4001 · Post by **kcole4001** » Fri May 26, 2006 4:47 am

They do spring up in the strangest places. I live in a shrinking 10,000 person town & have found two locally.

johnallg · Post by **johnallg** » Fri May 26, 2006 10:42 am

Thanks for all the input. I'm like Kevin - if its an oldie, I'd like to feel and play it, which limits you. I do keep my eyes and ears open locally, watch the classifieds, have asked at the 3 stores locally, but I don't think there are many here. But I do like the hunt, like I did for old tube stereo equipment a few years ago. Ahhh, the hunt; ahh the rewards!

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Fri May 26, 2006 4:44 pm

ahhh ... just buy a new one ... they are great ... ask Steve Cooper ...

johnallg · Post by **johnallg** » Fri May 26, 2006 5:20 pm

BTDT - what about the mojo of a classic 4001?!

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Sat May 27, 2006 1:18 am

ah yes ... a weak neck and weak pickups ... and not to forget a yellowed clear coat and fret wear ...

rickcrazy · Post by **rickcrazy** » Sat May 27, 2006 6:42 am

As we say in Portugal, "just show me the way to your trash can".
I'd rather 'do business' with a good 4001 than a modern 4003 any day. There's quite a lot of good 4001 basses about. Find them.

jnbass · Post by **jnbass** » Sat May 27, 2006 7:58 am

you want old chicks?