Which is rarer? 4003DCM or Blackstar?

ealdrett · Post by **ealdrett** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 7:51 am

As the title states, which is rarer?

I ask because as much as I like the DCM, I'm still wanting a Blackstar and I want a bass that I can play all the time.
Since I only have one 4003 and that's how I plan on keeping it, I want one all black. I plan on keeping my collection VERY small and only instruments I WILL play.
I know there is one the bay and I might bid on it or not. Depends on the price. I would entertain a trade.
I get mixed feelings about playing the DCM and putting some wear on it since it's so beautiful.
However my concern is the tail lift issues with Blackstars.
What to do, what to do?

s4001 · Post by **s4001** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 7:59 am

200 Blackstars
75 DCM's

squirebass · Post by **squirebass** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 8:43 am

Man, I go away from this site for a few months, and when I come back I need someone to 'splain to me what's been going on! I know that DCMs are some sort of 75th anny model, but what exactly does DCM stand for?

kcole4001 · Post by **kcole4001** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 8:47 am

Dark Cherry Metallic.
And welcome back, Gene!

rickaddict · Post by **rickaddict** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 9:14 am

What? There's a Blackstar on ebay? Where?!

Many of the Blackstars have a 7-screw tailpiece. Buy one of them and you won't have to be concerned about tail-lift.

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 9:28 am

Blackstars are no more prone to lift than any other 400x. Mine has it bad but that is just the luck of the draw.

doctorwho · Post by **doctorwho** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 11:19 am

Current Blackstar auction:

http://cgi.ebay.com/RICKENBACKER-BASS-BLACKSTAR-ONLY-200-EVER-MADE-RARE_W0QQitemZ140090367113QQihZ004QQcategoryZ41439QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

5 days, 6 hours left as of now.

squirebass · Post by **squirebass** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 11:36 am

Thanks, Kevin!
Dark Cherry Metallic... Now I wish I hadn't asked. If someone posts a picture of this finish, I'll bet I would want one....

markbass99 · Post by **markbass99** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 2:29 pm

I think the last couple of Blackstars sold in the $3k-4k range, they are catching up to the C.S. models. I don't think a Blackstar is going to be something the average person is going to want to play out with (IMO). If you want something that looks as good as a Blackstar, but would probably cost half as much there's always the Crisman solution....Darth Vader 4004...

I'm getting a jetglo 4004 sometime this year and it's going to have five strings (DR Black Beauties) and all black hardware, I'm keeping the rosewood tho...

jps · Post by **jps** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 4:05 pm

You will want one, Gene!

These are from my 660DCM.

bottom4 · Post by **bottom4** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 4:12 pm

WOW!

is all I will say!

markbass99 · Post by **markbass99** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 5:23 pm

When I see pics like that I can't help but wonder... how hard would it have been to put CB on the 4003 DCM models.... I might have even pursued one and I'm not even a 4003 player any more....

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 5:28 pm

It is much harder to do CB on the 660. That lower horn point is very sharp. The cresting wave is sharper than the ones on the 4003 too.

jps · Post by **jps** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 5:45 pm

Exhibit "A":

markbass99 · Post by **markbass99** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 5:50 pm

I think the use of CB on the 4003 anniversary models would have given them a "Lemmy" type aura and really created a feeding frenzy, but it was not to be. So I went and bought a 4001 from a time when they did it like it was no big deal, just another day at the factory. And I guess the fact that they are so stingy with the CB on the basses now just makes those old ones more valuable and treasured, maybe there is a method to the madness.