keep old or get new?

[drphatkins]

made nov of '90 is all i know other than GC thinks its a 4001v63.

[rickaddict]

As usual, Guitar Center's head is firmly lodged in its rectum. That's a 4003. Nice bass and will sound and play like a million bucks. Your price might be on the high side of average, but it looks like its in great condition and all original.

The 4001 you had this morning is a great bass, but if you liked the sound and feel of this one better then you did the right thing.

[rickaddict]

Looked at your pics again. Dang! That thing is mint! Gorgeous. Must have been sealed in a ziploc bag all these years!

I played one just like it in Chicago at the (evil) CME around 6 months ago. I was testing out an Orange tube amp. At first I was playing a 70's 4001. I wasn't getting the sound I was looking for. Then I grabbed the ('90 or '91, I forgot) Fireglo 4003 and BAM! There was the tone! Thunder!

Congrats!

[rickaddict]

And I retract my earlier statement about the price being on the high side. In that condition and in today's market, I think your price was somewhere between very good and excellent!

[sloop_john_b]

That's a nice one! What color is that truss rod cover though? Looks like an aged green or gold or something.

[phlemmy]

hi everyone. i just bought a 1979 FG 4001 that seems to have some issues. It had some dead spots (note volume) in the neck. I thought new strings and a basic setup would fix this, but it didn't.

are you using a compressor? it practically wiped out the dead spots i had on my basses.

[VRICKY63]

That was a relief . I just paid $2500 for a V63 and you got one for $1500 ? Good ol Guitar center mistake . That is a very nice 4003 FG ! Just for reference I've owned two 4001 basses that had dead spots on the neck . A Hipshot bridge fixed both .

[drphatkins]

And I retract my earlier statement about the price being on the high side. In that condition and in today's market, I think your price was somewhere between very good and excellent!

cool! all i know is, i can take this one in the studio tomorrow. the '79 would have been an uphill battle. thought about buying one over the internet, but i was affraid to get into returning duds through the mail. i dont play many new instruments i like. i probably overpaid a bit, but i got one i know i like. thanks for all y'alls input. and to phlemmy, yeah im always compressed, but the '79 was waaaay past being helped by an 1176. and the truss cover is kinda off white looking, with no model number on it. not sure if thats stock.

[aceonbass]

$1500.00 is way too much for a 1990 4003. In fact it's more than you'd pay for a brand new one. I'd get my money back...NOW!

[rickaddict]

How do you really feel, Dane? Don't sugar coat it. Tell it to us straight!

It might be on the high side for the year/ model, but did you see the condition? Yes, he could get a new one for the same price, but it wouldn't have the same neck. It would be substantially larger. And it wouldn't have the old headstock either. And this one should have the 500 ohm tone pots so it wouldn't sound the same either.

The new ones are great, they definitely have some advantages (walnut wings, push/pull pot, adjustable poles) but if the guy likes THIS one, then he might not like a new one. They're different. I think he did okay.

[aceonbass]

Those are all good points, but I'll bet GC THOUGHT it was a V63. If it could have been shown to them that it was indeed a 4003, I'll bet it could have been had for at least few hundred bucks less.

[VRICKY63]

I agree.....the price sounds fair for the current market and old wood just gets better and better and.......

[VRICKY63]

Does Guitar Center know what a V63 is ?

[drphatkins]

Those are all good points, but I'll bet GC THOUGHT it was a V63. If it could have been shown to them that it was indeed a 4003, I'll bet it could have been had for at least few hundred bucks less.

i should just take the receipt to the manager and show him how it isnt a v63 and that i need some dough back. that being said, even if they didnt budge, to me, it is worth what i paid for it.

[rickaddict]

Ahh. I see your point, Dane. I wonder if the GC would agree to a lower price if they were shown the difference between a V63 and a 4003. Maybe its worth a shot. If they didn't knock a few hunge off, I'd probably keep it anyway. I mean, Craig likes it. If he goes to ebay, he might buy 5 Ricks before he finds one that he likes as much. This one is a sure thing.

And good point Rick. Could they be persuaded of the difference? Probably not. Its amazing how much stuff we see for sale on the internet that's mis-labeled!