Is it a bubble ? Will it burst ?

[rikk]

Ted,
I'm not sure about that. In the late 80's and early 90's they were almost free on the used market. That how, by almost accident that I "took off their hands" my first 4001. I never intended to even play it, just keep it as a spare...until I played it.......

.... during from the 70's to the mid 80's a used 4001/3 could be had for $300 to $325.

I got my first three 4001's much cheaper than that.

[danomar]

...people are always trying to buy back their youth. With the 40's plus crowd in the best position to spend...they are going to buy stuff from that era.

That would be me.

I've had my 4005 for over twenty years, but it hasn't been until very recently that I could afford to have more than two... No, three... No, four... Anyway, I can afford basses that I couldn't back when. Blame me. And then sell me your 70's era 4001.

[chefothefuture]

In the 70s through the mid 90s pre 1970 Ricks were cool and compared to the G and F marques
were very affordable compared to their rarity. The 4000 at Gruhn , if it was mine, I traded
in 1995 for a value of $2000. Look at that baby fly now....
Sad to watch but that's life.

[VRICKY63]

I was never a Rickenbacker bass fan . I am a Fender snob . Any P bass built after 1964 just aint right ! But.....being an owner player of a 4004Cii 4-2-5 and 98 V63 I have found the RICs to be outstanding unique basses . I can not afford to "collect" but if one of my RICs is at its peak value I would let it go . I think it is a popularity "bubble" right now but the value will not diminish .

[sloop_john_b]

All of mine get plenty of play but they absolutely double as investments. We're all seeing the prices of used and new Ricks soar - how can you not think of them that way?

[paologregorio]

I just and play them. I don't think about the investment angle.

[cheyenne]

I never used to think of them as investments, but you cant deny their value in the last couple of years.

[prismacolor2]

They are definitely both for me but I am a player - i only try to acquire basses that I really want to play but I do keep value in mind when buying gear - it just makes sense.

I sold my shadow because it was too pristine to play (flawless). I played the bubble on that one. Pristine bass = wall hanger = no value to me. It hurt a LOT but I am a player first (and I made a lot of cash off of that one - I bought it off of craigslist for $500.00 - CRAZY huh?)

I gig a lot and I try to use all my basses - when they drop from rotation, i end up turning them into something that will get played. My 74 Jazz saw three or 4 singer songwriter gigs a year - see ya. This Rick will see a LOT more action. easy decision for me (also MUCH harder to find a good pre-73 Rick than a Jazz Bass).

[wints]

Ric basses have caught up in the last 3-4 years, and most now, are aware of their real value.

As I have said before Vincent Gallo has raised their profile more than anyone, by buying at top $$$ for many years, and slowly and surely dealers and collectors have caught up.

To see early 70's basses sell for more than their contemporary Fender counterparts is good to see, and only right, given they are usually superior from a playing perspective, and they are far less common.

The 60's stuff is there too, although I'd say a good 64 Jazz is an equal to any Ric bass. They are still apples and oranges essentially.

Ric basses are hot though, no doubt.