1962 4001? make your own decisions...

motoryeshead · Post by **motoryeshead** » Thu Dec 18, 2003 10:01 am

Dunno if they are painted on, as there is no center stripe either, but having said that, the headstock looks short. I'm wondering if this might have started life as a 4001 FL thats been subsequently fretted? That would account for the dots. Still unsure about the body binding though. It is clear I'm not going to get any more photos off the guy, so its going to remain a mystery unless someone is brave enough to drop the money.

wints · Post by **wints** » Thu Dec 18, 2003 10:16 am

Hey, P where in the U.K. is this bass??..if it is in the U.K...I,m back there next month and would check it out if close to my travels. I,ve still got a 64 RM1999 there, so I,d have a good reference in comparing the two and coming to a conclusion. The dots look too small for a fretless, which run a little larger. An interesting one...

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Thu Dec 18, 2003 10:19 am

Just a hunch, but it looks old to me, especially the headstock and neck and also the finish, are those Grovers on it? looks like it to me, those weren't around until the early 70's I believe, I think it's the real thing with a lot of new parts myself. Something about it just looks authentic. What's he want for it?

ojobob2 · Post by **ojobob2** » Thu Dec 18, 2003 10:23 am

To me, it looks like a 73/74 bass (but as someone said - most of the hardware is probably replaced) but with a 60's 4001S neck. As Ricks are not bolt ons tho, that idea is kinda invalid. The headstock is the longer type also and looks correct to me. Also the binding is just white? that is odd........

ojobob2 · Post by **ojobob2** » Thu Dec 18, 2003 10:27 am

actually now i think of it, could it simply be a 60's 4001S neck that was never made into a finished bass - and then used in the early 70's? All the features on this bass look like my 73, exept the fretboard and headstock

m_cuffa · Post by **m_cuffa** » Thu Dec 18, 2003 10:39 am

is it such a big deal for the guy to give you one more picture of the back of the thing?

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Thu Dec 18, 2003 10:41 am

Go for it Andrew, I think it's the real thing. It even looks like it's got the wear of a 40 year old bass. Looks similar in shape to an old Fender, and the finish seems about the same color as a 40 year bass also, what ever it is, it is a cool bass and I'd like to have it.
That dark neck looks unvarnished too, and is not like any fretless neck I have ever seen on a Ric.

motoryeshead · Post by **motoryeshead** » Thu Dec 18, 2003 10:57 am

Its in Germany and he wants 3k Euros ($3700 USD). Far too much with a missing serial and changed parts, but he is convinced its a stock 1962...
When I asked for more photos, he said his camera is broken. I have sent him selected closeups of 1960s instruments with "yes/no" questions about heel profile etc, and await answers.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Thu Dec 18, 2003 11:16 am

too many unanswered questions

motoryeshead · Post by **motoryeshead** » Thu Dec 18, 2003 12:04 pm

OK, he's answered the email, you guys ready for this???

Translated from German, excuse odd wording:

There's NO doubt about the originality. and you surely are NO specialist concerning rickenbackers. Leave me alone and stop asking me about the serial number and this other stuff, you are trying to make the bass look bad and then you will probably ask me to sell more cheaply and gloss over the fact this is a 1960s bass. I have no faith in your evaluation and your imbecility. I wont open your emails and I have blocked your bids on eBay. Hope you never do it again, to annoy sellers."

Funny how he seems to be such an "expert" when he won't admit that most of the hardware is wrong, then asks $3700 for a guitar he cant even provide simple info about. Oh dear! If he is such an expert, then he is the one trying to pull the wool over my eyes by not sending photos or allowing me descriptions of the rods, routing, pots, neck heel etc. He needs to go to customer care school. To quote Dave4004: RUN AWAY.

wints · Post by **wints** » Thu Dec 18, 2003 12:12 pm

I agree Jeff....You can,t go there unless you know exactly what your looking at. Asking 3K plus with no serial number and other info, hey, no one,s going to contribute any xmas cheer in this guy,s house....I agree with Bob, it does look old..kinda like the pic bunnybass had for their M/G 68 4001...Hey, Kendall, you out there!!.....A look under the pickguard would go a long way....

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Thu Dec 18, 2003 1:08 pm

Too many dots on the fretboard past the twelfth fret for an early 60's dot-neck Rick. Flip it over, I bet the heel is rounded.

Even if it IS a '62, then most of it now ISN'T.

The guy sounds like a nut.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Thu Dec 18, 2003 1:18 pm

hey there's a '68 on ebay right now ... and it's the real thing ...

doctorwho · Post by **doctorwho** » Thu Dec 18, 2003 1:51 pm

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2367434193&category=4713

cheyenne · Post by **cheyenne** » Thu Dec 18, 2003 2:07 pm

I cant stand so called experts with attitude problems. Most of the people who post here have probably forgotten more about Rickenbacker basses than that idiot will ever know. If your asking almost $4000.00 for a bass you've gotta be prepared to answer alot of questions, and provide DETAILED photos.