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Vintage, Modern, V & C series, Fretless, Signature & Special Editions

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j_gary
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Post by j_gary »

I kind of get the vintage thing, but this is a hurt bass for $2600?

It's probably a good deal for a 71, no way for me. That should just about get you a DCM which is as rare, playable, feels and sounds good right out of the box.
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ajish4
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Post by ajish4 »

OK,

I missed something here...

Wints, how do you know it went for 2.6K?

Did someone here get it?

I agree with J Gary, that's a heck of a lot of coin for a "project". But, I guess that's where these things are headed....
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henry5
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Post by henry5 »

I'd have paid more to be honest; I'd love to find another pre-skunker, as they're my favourites. UK-wise, that's not a huge amount of money.
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wints
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Post by wints »

Tony,

The seller had stated he was open to offers so I asked what had been offered.

He told me $3K and if I was interested to get back to him. I was out for the day and when I returned the auction was over.

I mailed him and he replied he had had only one solid offer and the guy had come down from $3K to $2.6K and he had accepted.

A good buying price IMO, given recent sales of other vintage Ric basses. If put back correctly, this one will certainly appreciate.
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henry5
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Post by henry5 »

Aaaarggh....
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ajish4
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Post by ajish4 »

Thanks Wints,

Wow, I just don't get it.

I have never seen a PRE-1976 in the flesh, so I guess I just don't know what I'm missing with these EARLY 70's basses....thank God.

Not counting my V63 or CS, that is...

I apologize in advance for my stupidity, but are they REALLY THAT DIFFERENT in sound & feel to warrant these kind of prices or is it just a nostalgia thing?
"Freedom of expression is important, but I have learned that people want to know how much you care before they care how much you know."
The only time a bass player gets noticed is when he stops playing.
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wints
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Post by wints »

No stupidity is ever involved when asking questions Tony...

Although with the whole vintage and perceived "vintage" market and prices, some here would beg to differ!

It's all subjective. To many the 60's and early 70's basses have a feel to them that later basses don't have. Whether you covet that "feel" or "mojo" is another thing.

It all depends on what your criteria is of course...

The new basses are far more complete as instruments in terms of build quality and sound. For many though, especially those that have been fortunate to own the vintage stuff, they don't have that same vibe as the old school gear.

RIC has gone back to thinner necks, walnut wings and the tone issue this year to capture the essence of the vintage basses. The market for that look, feel and sound is still very strong.

A RI is obviously a very good bass, but most would still like the opportunity to own an original if possible, and that's where the whole vintage market comes from.
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markbass99
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Post by markbass99 »

I started to detect an upswing in the early 70's vintage market a couple of years ago(4001's) and decided that my favorite year(1973) was the perfect one to start collecting. I bought three good examples with checkered binding, nice straight necks and good original electronics and pick guards. I'm having one of them refinned to my favorite vintage color, azureglo, but I suspect that in twenty years they will be very valuable. And they really do have a sound that can't be duplicated by todays modern 4003's.
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henry5
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Post by henry5 »

To my ears it's all about the wood. Sure you can change/rewind pickups, change pots etc, but when you find a bass that sounds great acoustically you can build on top of that. And for me, the old ones seem to have a sound I prefer.

My 72 (pre skunk) is much lighter than any other 4001 I've ever played (bar another from the same period), and sounds much nicer to my ears than any later one I've heard. But bear in mind this is personal preference; I sold my 76 to a friend because I didn't like it anywhere near as much but he prefers it by some margin; my 72 doesn't do it for him at all.

I was listening to the Genesis Archives boxed set the other day and my 72 sounds very similar to Rutherford on some of the stuff on there; my 76 was much harder and more nasal. It really depends what sort of sound you're after, but I always believe you should play the bass acoustically to see what it really sounds like, and I've never heard Rics that sound (to my ears) as good as those old ones. My CS doesn't come close; although it has more top and bottom, and more output, it just doesn't have THAT tone. Played acoustically it's somewhat brighter, but somehow sounds a bit strangled compared to the 72.

If you've ever played a really old Strat or Jazz Bass and then compared it to a new one you'll get the picture. You may not prefer the sound, but they're certainly different.
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gareth
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Post by gareth »

Well, just to put it in perspective, I got a nice 1975 4001 for a project. All it needs is a refret and pickups, which I have from my other 4001 that I put a toaster and a Lollar horseshoe in. The neck on the 1975 is nice and thin, just like I like them.

I paid $700 for it six months ago. Paul W is doing a refin on it now.

Here's the before pictures. Looks like I just got in under the bar for crazy prices for fixer uppers. Pity really, because those are the basses I like to buy.

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teeder
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Post by teeder »

Shaun,

I know exactly what you are trying to describe. My '72 sounds so different from my V63. It's so much more alive!
Same goes for my Jazz Bass. I played it for 15 years, and all the time I was looking for a re-issue P or J for a spare, but nothing ever compared to it.
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pflash4001
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Post by pflash4001 »

There is a huge difference in feel between different instruments. My '79 has a much thicker neck than my '68. The older bass just feels a lot faster and easier to play (not that the '79 is bad, just different.) I love the feel of my '68. The two are just very different and it would be up to the individual to decide which one you like.
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henry5
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Post by henry5 »

Kevin, I know what you mean too; I bought my 72 in 1993 and I'm STILL looking for a backup!!!
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basshawk
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Post by basshawk »

Javier, my '68 4000 is my main bass. Love that neck.
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Post by jwr2 »

I would have kept my 1968 4001 if I had the slightest interest in playing 4 string basses ... the neck felt perfect and it had beautiful resonance ... the old necks with the full inlays and no skunk stripe were very nice ...
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