Old 4001 on Ebay

jeff_ulmer · Post by **jeff_ulmer** » Sun Aug 10, 2003 7:35 am

Yes, there's some things that need clarifying on that one. I suspect that it's a '70s model due to the high gain, but I'm no expert. It looks nice...

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Sun Aug 10, 2003 11:56 am

Ok he was out of town, it is a June 1969, IF, with mono only out. The three keys are older Grovers he said and original (?). He said he had a lot of e-mails in his mailbox when he got back, if you want jump on it, I think it might go high. He sounds like a nice guy, and he said he would answer any questions.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Sun Aug 10, 2003 12:05 pm

hey ... I got it right 1969 ... $1500 is a good price ... it should go for about $2000 ... if it had the horseshoe then I would say $3000.

wints · Post by **wints** » Sun Aug 10, 2003 1:49 pm

A 69...Only the second one I,ve seen, and I,ve only read about a couple more. Considering 68,s show up a little more often, this was probably a light production year for basses. Now we,re talking about a different provenance. It,s a 60,s bass, and that seems to make a difference usually. Actually the other 69 I saw had a horseshoe. It was going for $5K. Given the couple of late 68,s I,ve seen have had the hi gain, and the early 69 I read about did too, that,s the exception, not the rule. The interesting thing for me here is the grovers. If they are original (and thinking back I,m sure the other 69 had them...) then this defines another changeover period, from the nickel klusons. However, as we all know by now ymmv....

wints · Post by **wints** » Sun Aug 10, 2003 2:17 pm

I forgot about the estimated price...Close to $2K..wait for those late bidders....

paul_yan · Post by **paul_yan** » Sun Aug 10, 2003 7:09 pm

For future reference and studies, lets have the link and images permanently:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2548509882&category=4713&rd=1

No one has placed a bid yet at the moment. Lets watch the "last minute show" in 4 days.

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Sun Aug 10, 2003 7:45 pm

Andrew, those Grovers are not bent like the normal ones, I've never seen or heard of them before, if those are original then there was even another type of tuning key that was used. There is one normal bent Grover on it, the 70's A key. I have some Grover keys, I'll look at them tomorrow and report back.

paul_yan · Post by **paul_yan** » Sun Aug 10, 2003 8:17 pm

Bob,
As far as I know, Grover tuners on RIC basses are the non-bent 1st generation type during approximately '70-'71. Note that the "driving shaft" protrudes some 1/8" from the tuner casing.

Then maybe from '71, the "wavy" 2nd generation Grovers were utilized, just like those on your and my '72 4001 fretless.

I don't know since when the 2nd generation ones were discontinued. Probably in the mid '70s? I for one love their waviness very much.

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Sun Aug 10, 2003 8:26 pm

Thanks Paul, I didn't know that at all.
I guess for the most part 75 was about the last of the 2nd generation Grovers but I have heard of even early 80's 4003's with them from the factory, when they ran out I guess they would use them. and I have also seen 74 and 75 with the later reverse tuners also. very hard to generalize about these things with Ric. Do you have the Richard Smith book?
Hey what time is it in China (Taiwan?) right now? As I write this it is 2:20 AM here in Massachusetts, I am one hour earlier than the time which this forum uses.

paul_yan · Post by **paul_yan** » Sun Aug 10, 2003 8:28 pm

Hey Jeff (Rath) and Andrew,
What are the tuners on your '68 4001 FG's?

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Sun Aug 10, 2003 8:39 pm

Yeah Paul, I really like them also, I like the way they feel and look, I like the way they stick out a little farther than the newer ones also, but don't like the way they tend to fall apart and rattle. The ones I have now are good but I've had them rattle on me before. I also like the reverse tuners on the mid to late 70's 4001's have you ever tried those? They are very cool, easier to turn than regular ones, but those too are usually worn, but I keep them on anyway, you just loosen the screw and they are usually ok .

paul_yan · Post by **paul_yan** » Sun Aug 10, 2003 9:11 pm

Bob,
You're absolutely welcome.

Yes I have the R. Smith book that has been useful reference to me. However, the coverage of bass models and their details leave a lot to be desired. I've also got the Rickenback Book by Tony Bacon and Paul Day that has lots of fine colour images, mostly of the guitar models though. With us people studying and chatting away in this fabulous forum, I strongly suggest the more learned expert members here group up and write a "Rickenbacker Bass Book". I'd be happy to provide my picture taking service if it's of any merits...

It's 3 o'clock in the afternoon here in Taiwan. I'm leaving home for the studio soon for tracking the new song by one of the hot local rock bands. Mostly drums and bass for today's session. The bass player's main instrument seems to be a Gibson Les Paul Bass. I'll find out in an hour anyway.

Ha! I'm too young and too far away to know about reverse tuners. I learned about their existence when you and Jeffery were talking about them a while ago here. Never have experienced them... Maybe there are some such type on old Fender basses that have been around in my country.

paul_yan · Post by **paul_yan** » Sun Aug 10, 2003 9:18 pm

As for the mid to late '70s 4001, I'm not even sure I can find one in Taiwan! The only RIC bass for sale in my local shop is a beat-up late '80s Midnight Blue. They ask for the ridiculous equivalent of $2571 USD for her. But you see, RIC basses are quite scarce in my country so they dare ask for that sum of money.

OK, on my way to the studio. We'll talk later.

wints · Post by **wints** » Mon Aug 11, 2003 2:27 am

Paul my 68 has klusons...The G/D tune up anti-clockwise and the A/E clockwise..

motoryeshead · Post by **motoryeshead** » Mon Aug 11, 2003 2:45 am

Hmm, looking at the third picture, doesn't that seem like the top wing is coming away from the centre blank for the first 2-3 inches of the join, or is it just a slight finish crack along the join thats been worn at? shame there isn't another photo from a slight left aspect so we can see if its all the way through to the front. I've seen wings coming off before a couple of times, not pretty.