How's your "4001(k)" doing?

[bassduke49]

The may rankle some (especially on "tax day"), but with the downturn of the American dollar and the upswing of Rickenbacker prices (new and used), Ricks are quickly becoming wise investments. Just working on recollection here, typical prices of used, good- to excellent-condition Rick basses have risen from just under one grand to nearly 2Gs in the last couple of years. I've shown this trend to my wife and we are convinced that Ricks are out-performing our stock portfolios, especially in the last six months. I don't feel guilty at all about the collection I've amassed, knowing it is money well spent, and most instruments can be easily liquidated for profit if the need should ever arise.

Who knows how long the trend will continue? It is likely that RIC's order backlog will decrease (or maybe even disappear) in the next few years, and there's always the possibility that the collector interest and value may wane. But for now, this Forum's collective interest in owning, playing, or collecting RIC's handywork doesn't seem to be hurting our personal "economies."

Your thoughts?

[8mileshigh]

I totally agree Paul. I've seen an upward trend for the last 25 years. No signs of a slow down.......far from it. I'm just glad I got in early!

[rickaddict]

The Ricken-bull market has been a nice little benefit to my Rick addiction. The price appreciation came along just at the right time for me. But whether it stays or not...I bought 'em because I like 'em. I wanted to try out as many as I could to find out which years/ models I like best and increase my versatility as a bass player.

If Rick prices were to plummet it wouldn't kill me. I'm not in it as an investment. I will be taking a profit on those Ricks I decide to sell (if market trends continue), and I will enjoy taking that profit, don't get me wrong. I'm just saying... It wouldn't be the end of the world for me if my Ricks didn't appreciate or even lost some value 'cuz like I said...I bought 'em 'cuz I like 'em.

They make me smile.

SEE?

[s4001]

The only problem with my substantial Ric investment is it's quite unlikely I'll ever cash it in.

[dswp]

+1

I wish that I had purchased more of them 3 years ago.

[jakeox]

"Easily liquidated" as long as we don't get too attached to them, that is. I tend not to, but I still think I'd have a hard time selling off my Shadow or the '72 that's due for a refin.

I don't think prices for limited-run and older models will ever decrease -- the supply is ever decreasing, even if demand doesn't go up much. I also think it's still a great time to buy, whether for investment or playing purposes (or both), and will be for a while, as long as you keep your eyes open for the right deal. The price increases (and the weak US economy) have brought out a lot more supply in the near term, but that hasn't really brought down prices much.

[brycycle]

i've actually cashed stocks in to buy Rics...

[jwr2]

For those of us who purchase basses to play the whole price rise makes us look to other basses ...

I don't want to own and play $2000 to $5000 basses ... my basses are not investments they are musical instruments ... but the way it is going all the Rics will be kept in glass cases and none of them will get any playing time ...

maybe I'll just have to sell all of my Rics and go out and buy some musical instruments ...

[brycycle]

For those of us who purchase basses to play the whole price rise makes us look to other basses ...

I don't want to own and play $2000 to $5000 basses ... my basses are not investments they are musical instruments ... but the way it is going all the Rics will be kept in glass cases and none of them will get any playing time ...

maybe I'll just have to sell all of my Rics and go out and buy some musical instruments ...

let me know when you're ready to do that, Jeff!

[gareth]

My 4001(k) is holding steady and increasing along with inflation it seems.

My 4004LK(k) is exceeding expectations, with a 100% return so far if I was to cash it in. I doubt that will happen any time soon though.

[chefothefuture]

I just wish I hadn't sold alot of my Ricks years ago.
The gold guard 4000s, the differing Capris, the 331s......

However, objects d'art are funny things to be invested in; in down turn
in the market could make them hard to gid rid of....

And they don't create passive income.

I like my real estate as I like collecting rent more than collecting Ricks

You might say that my rent collection helps with the Rick collection....

[rickenbrother]

For those of us who purchase basses to play the whole price rise makes us look to other basses ...

I purchase basses to play and I'm not looking to other basses.

[gray]

I sincerely couldn't be happier for all the people whose instruments continue to rise in value, especially when it is an unexpected investment. I myself am one of those people, as I bought my 77 4001 for $850 about three years ago or so, which to my understanding was in the lower end of standard market value at the time. Although it's by no means mint, and probably would qualify for a restoration, it is a complete, well-playing and mostly original 77 4001 nevertheless, and is now worth notably more than what I originally paid for it.
However, this rise in value for me is bittersweet in that it means that while my own instrument is gaining value, I can no longer afford another like it, and certainly not one in better condition. At what it would cost today, I could never afford it now. I, too, buy instruments to play them, but since the price of new, used and "vintage" alike (whatever the percieved distinction might be) continues to rise faster than my paycheck does, I am pretty officially out of the Rick-buying game.

[qwezirider]

i've actually cashed stocks in to buy Rics...

I made (ok...requested) my wife sell some of her stocks so I could buy Ricks.

[nukebass]

The only bass I bought as a "collector's item," the DCM, hasn't quite panned out yet. It'll be just my luck that nobody in the future wants one and I'm stuck with it. Don't buy the models I buy