4001CS on ebay - how much would YOU pay for it?

gibsonlp · Post by **gibsonlp** » Tue May 30, 2006 3:20 am

Hi guys,

I am currently looking at a really nice mint 4001CS signed by CS himself (not that I really care about this part...) - http://cgi.ebay.com/SIGNED-CHRIS-SQUIRE-4001CS-RICKENBACKER-BASS_W0QQitemZ7417834940QQcategoryZ4713QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
I offered a price and the seller might accept it if he doesn't find a better deal.
Obviously I can't disclose my offer, how much would you consider to be a fair price for this guitar?

Thank you.

mikeyesfan · Post by **mikeyesfan** » Tue May 30, 2006 5:30 am

Here's a Deal...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7416626624&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

jon · Post by **jon** » Tue May 30, 2006 7:00 am

Yes, rather pained me that one, given how much I paid for mine. Still, I wouldn't swap it for anything.

...well, except maybe a pristine 4080/12...

jnbass · Post by **jnbass** » Tue May 30, 2006 7:55 am

dave?

wints · Post by **wints** » Tue May 30, 2006 8:13 am

Given the numbers of these made, you should find a bargain every now and then.

What one considers a CS bargain is another subjective matter...

henry5 · Post by **henry5** » Tue May 30, 2006 8:50 am

It's strange, as much as I like mine, I still think I like it the least of my Ricks....

squirefan01 · Post by **squirefan01** » Tue May 30, 2006 9:43 am

Why is that Shaun?

henry5 · Post by **henry5** » Tue May 30, 2006 10:45 am

I'm not sure really Greg. It's something I've been pondering over the past couple of weeks. I guess it's just not...well, just not as "vintage" sounding as my others. My '73 4000 is angry, clanky, aggressive. It sounds, as a friend put it, p*ssed off! My '72 just has TONE, for want of a better word, it's more of a Roger Glover, Chris Squire (!) kind of thing. The CS is kind of fuller in the low end, but at the same time has less mids...kind of more scooped sounding. Not really like Chris at all! Plus it's heavier, and I have a bad back! I guess it sounds a bit more like a 4003, and so far I haven't played any 4003s that I like the sound of as much as my old basses. It does play great though! It has the thinnest neck of my basses.

henry5 · Post by **henry5** » Tue May 30, 2006 10:46 am

Oh, and it looks wonderful....

jon · Post by **jon** » Tue May 30, 2006 12:09 pm

I thought I'd write in defence of the 4001CS as I know you are quite keen to get one at some point Greg. At the moment, it is my favourite overall of the three Rics I have.

I think it depends on your setup. Although I actually change pre-amp settings from song to song, I have a 'default' setting for general use. The way I have this set probably favours my 4003, although I was getting good results from a Geddy Lee Jazz too on this setting.

When I first tried the CS it sounded absolutely stunning without changing anything. I watched jaws dropping on the floor as I began to play and that was from people who were impressed with the 4003. It feels absolutely fantastic to play too and is quite capable of Squire-like tones IMHO. I know one or two people on the forum played that CS before it came to me - I think (hope) one or two would agree it had a certain 'something'.

The bass neck on my 4080 is probably the easiest to play (ignoring the eventual fatigue from the weight of the thing), but it is the one I am least happy with sound-wise. Bearing in mind that I had everything setup for the 4003, I've just done the cap bypass on the 4080 which seems to be a big step in the right direction, but I've yet to test this 'in anger' as it were.

Someone approaching from a more vintage reference point would probably draw very different conclusions...

Sorry Gil - not helping with your original question. Prices on ebay recently have ranged from $3100 to $7200 so it's hard to say. The good condition and signature may attract more from some people, although others may prefer to just have the signature on the certificate (I don't even like the one printed on the pickguard that much). Actually, given the number of signed ones that have appeared recently, the unsigned ones might be rarer. Chris must dread seeing people with silver cases backstage...

fran4001 · Post by **fran4001** » Tue May 30, 2006 12:31 pm

My CS is definitely very 4003-ish. And quite dark sounding. Even with low action and fresh Rotos, it needs a substantial treble boost to do the Squire thing. Has something to do with the 12k plus windings methinks. My V63 is much better at the Squire thing, truth be told.

squirefan01 · Post by **squirefan01** » Tue May 30, 2006 4:34 pm

Thanks for the comments. This is all good food for thought, as I dream of one day owning one of these beauties. A v63 seems like a very nice bass too. Someday I'll have a collection like some of you guys!!

gibsonlp · Post by **gibsonlp** » Tue May 30, 2006 7:10 pm

Thanks guys.

(now I am even more confused

)

henry5 · Post by **henry5** » Wed May 31, 2006 6:49 am

Jon, don't get me wrong, my CS is a great bass, kind of like a supercharged 4003. But I think I personally prefer a decent (old!) unsupercharged 4001 in performance terms....it still looks wonderful though!

deeper · Post by **deeper** » Wed May 31, 2006 9:09 pm

My CS has none to do with a 4003, and sounds meaningfully more Squire-ish than my V63.