1964!

henry5 · Post by **henry5** » Wed Aug 29, 2007 10:46 pm

Hi Paul

Thanks! It's a February, and it's my favourite Ric that I've ever owned or played.

Earliest '72 I've seen with a skunk strip is May (Neil Brewer of Druid's bass), although they may have been earlier. Elys has a March '72 IIRC which is also like mine.

vincent_gallo · Post by **vincent_gallo** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 6:26 pm

I love Druid Neil played great on their records.

henry5 · Post by **henry5** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 1:01 am

He's a really nice guy too Vincent. I nearly bought his bass once. I really wish I had now.....mapleglo, May 72 IIRC, checkered binding with skunkstripe. Unfortunately I was looking for a near-identical backup to my 72 (no skunk) and his bass was much heavier and sounded very different.

Ironically when I went to try the bass I didn't know who he was and had never heard of Druid; he mentioned the band (he described them as "kind of across between early Genesis and Yes but not as good as either"!) and a short while later I came across their first album in a second-hand record store. Wish I'd heard it before I met him!

vincent_gallo · Post by **vincent_gallo** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 6:14 am

“Towards The Sun” , and “Fluid “ are very good LP’s with top level moments. The Druid drummer Cedric Sharpley joined Gary Numan’s band. When I saw Gary Numan live around 1979/80, Cedric was playing in the band. I was thinking throughout Gary Numan’s show, wow the drummers great. A few days later a friend who knew a lot, told me the drummer was an ex Druid member. I was shocked. I wonder who has Neil's bass

ilan · Post by **ilan** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 8:21 am

"... When I saw Gary Numan live around 1979/80"

Those were his best years, "The Pleasure Principle" came out in 1979, I was a big fan.

vincent_gallo · Post by **vincent_gallo** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 9:51 pm

The eBay seller of the 64 4001 after several emails has continued to avoid letting me visit to inspect the bass before auction end. Has anyone else had better luck? As well, has not replied to my many requests to speak by phone with me providing my # or willing to call him if he preferred. I would very much like to buy the bass but am a tiny bit worried about the seller in that he may not fully know how to evaluate its condition. If it turned out to have surprises not detectable in photos, this seller may not understand and feel like he was being tricked. The last big buck bass I bought turned out to have heavy over-spray over large areas of finish wear. This could not be seen in photo's and the seller did not know what over-spray was. I mentioned it to the seller when I inspected the bass stating clearly that I was not suggesting he lower his price, as I still wanted the bass for what we agreed. Weeks later, the seller seemed to think I tried to trick him by mentioning the over-spray, even though I still paid full asking price for that bass and never suggested a lower price. An uneducated seller presents issues. I think this bass will reach a high price. It should, as it is very special. I just wish the seller had been more open to a visit or had displayed a more expertise sense. Has anyone had a chance to visit the seller and see the bass in person ?

j_gary · Post by **j_gary** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 6:36 am

Vince, if others are getting the same response, I think it will seriously affect the selling price.

Considering all the interest initially generated about this bass, I would think the seller would snap to attention.

dale_fortune · Post by **dale_fortune** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 6:47 am

Here's my 2 cents worth: refinished...fisheyes on the back of the peghead or anywhere on an instrument are a sign of lacquer being applied over an instrument that wasn't washed down properly with Acetone to remove any or all wax/silicone. The heal looks a little rounded off from sanding...the treble pickup bobbin looks right..Doc Kauffman made quite a few plastic vacuum formed bobbins back in the late 50's early 60's, they had that line down the middle from the heat mold...I have several of these that Doc gave me back in the early 70's...any offers Sergio? I tend to agree that this is a rare modified Bass, why would someone turn down big offers and not let a high bidder inspect this Bass. Ebay is good for surprizes..buyer beware!

elysrand · Post by **elysrand** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 6:58 am

I am glad someone else besides me also thinks that it was refinished. I said on Day One that it had overspray on the back of the headstock, and I had a negative feeling about this one. I think that Vince is right to be cautious, and I personally think that at $7100 it is at its true value right now for a non-original modified bass (no flames from any irrational optimists who worship the year 1964, or anyone else please), and it would be unwise to bid it higher without an in-person detailed inspection by someone on this Forum...

j_gary · Post by **j_gary** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 7:22 am

Man, I love this place. I was really falling for the old girl and you guys saved me again. Thank you boys!

headbanger · Post by **headbanger** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 8:07 am

Dale, you have mail.

rickcrazy · Post by **rickcrazy** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 1:52 pm

Hi Dale. "Any offers?"? How do you mean?

dale_fortune · Post by **dale_fortune** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 6:25 pm

Rickenbacker Molded Vacuum Formed pickup bobbins from the early 60's given to me by Doc Kauffman

henry5 · Post by **henry5** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 12:45 am

Vincent, I hope you manage to get the bass in the end.

With regards to Neil Brewer's bass (sorry, off topic again I know)he did say when I was inspecting the bass that his friends had told him not to sell it as he never knew when the band might get back together (something he thought highly unlikely); he actually gave the impression that he was having second thoughts. One day I'll have to go back to Tring (where he lives and plays) and see if he sold it.

rickcrazy · Post by **rickcrazy** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 3:58 am

Interesting indeed. On "Fluid" in particular you can hear the three basic 4001 tones: toaster soloed; treble high-gain soloed; both pickups.