Single male seeks loving 400X

[vin*tone]

Hey Ricksters. My first post here.
I've fallen in love with the Ricky tone and had a chance to play one on the weekend. I'm hooked.
In Australia they're like finding hen's teeth and when you do they often sell near the $3k Au mark (used) so I'll probably be shipping one from the US without getting the chance to play it first.

At the moment I'm tossing between the 4001 and 4003. I like the idea of a vintage 4001 but by the sounds of it- the 4003 is a significant improvement. Also- because I can't play the bass beforehand I feel like the 4003 would be a safer bet - the 4001 is riskier due to a possible history of truss rod tinkering. IYO is this something to worry about?

Can anyone recommend better/other places to search than ebay and talkbass?

Muchos gracias

[qwezirider]

Right here!

Not being sarcastic, but I do find the people here more trustworthy to deal with in my paranoid mind. After all, we know where to find each other.

[johnallg]

Since the latest 2008 4003 basses have most of the vintage wants on them now, you should consider a new one. They now come with the walnut wings on the headstock, the slim neck profile, the vintage tone switch to enable/bypass the .0047uF cap inline with the bridge pickup, full width inlays on the fretboard, and combine that with the new style truss rods, it would be hard to beat. The new price would also be better than vintage, as all used Rick basses have seen a jump (some big) in the prices with the recent factory price increase. Buying sight unseen, you'd know what to expect with new.

And welcome aboard.

[edit] And yes, buying one from a forum member is a great way to get used.

[vin*tone]

Thanks guys and sorry if this is a REALLY DUMB question but is there a for sale section?... or just scour the posts in this Basses forum?

I'd much rather get one off a forum member if poss.

[johnallg]

Just below the RIckResource top banner, click on Board Index, then look for Rickenbacker For Sale. You need to be logged in to see it.

[vin*tone]

Awesome. Thanks.

[gregga41]

Another Aussie joins the ranks! Welcome Andrew!! Where in Oz are you posting from?
There are a great many of us here!

[ram]

Welcome to the forum Andrew. Good luck with your quest. It WILL be worth it.

[wints]

Welcome Andrew...

It's good to see another namesake!

[vin*tone]

Another Aussie joins the ranks! Welcome Andrew!! Where in Oz are you posting from?
There are a great many of us here!

Thanks guys.
I'm in Ballarat, Victoria. Ye olde golde central.

Shipping from US seems to be a little tricky. did you other Aussies buy locally?

[admin]

Welcome, Andrew. Who knows you may find someone in Australia reading this who has exactly what you want. At the very least they can sure tell you where to look.

[gregga41]

Andrew, i've shipped 2 ricks to Oz, and didn't have any trouble whatsoever! Having said that, the shipping price is the biggest hassle! Luckily a few of the Melbourne-based forumites have travelled to the states and brought 1 back with them for me! I used FEDEX and was extremely happy with their service! Customs can sometimes be the hiccup though!
Ballarat hey? My daughters lived in Daylesford for many years, magic part of country Victoria! let us know when you visit Melbourne, there are plenty of basses down here!
........................And plenty of Rickaholics!!

[antipodean]

Andrew,

Matt's Vintage http://www.mattsvintageguitars.com/inventory.html in Sydney has an early '90s 4003MG and a 4003 DG for around $2,500, which is equivalent to sourcing one from the US for around USD 1600, assuming shipping of around USD 400. I may be able to drop in to check these out for you next week.

Some bargains pop up in Tokyo now and then, but there's nothing super-special at the moment that is definitely available for international shipping.

[vin*tone]

Thanks Evan- The MG looks interesting- definitely on the shortlist.
Where do you find them in Tokyo?

[antipodean]

Thanks Evan- The MG looks interesting- definitely on the shortlist.
Where do you find them in Tokyo?

Andrew,

These guys will correspond in English and will ship to Australia:

Ishibashi: http://www.ishibashi.co.jp/u_box/ Enter "Rickenbacker" in the keyword box, hit enter and you're away! They have a couple of 4001s and a 4003 that aren't particularly great value. I got my 4001v63 and 660/12TP at pretty good prices.

Kurosawa: http://www.kurosawagakki.com/tags/instrument/14 Select "Bass" from the menu, the "Rickenbacker. They have a 4001V63 FG without the shoes for low $2000s.

Guitar Traders: http://www.guitartraders.com/inventory/index_master.htm Click on "Other Guitars" and scroll down - the list is in alphabetical order. They have an '85 4003FG for $1600 which is pretty good value (they claim it's a 4001, but it has the tell-tale early 4003 two-part 'guard).

Guitar Craft: http://www.guitarcraft.jp/index.html Click on "bass" and scroll down. No Rics right now.

I'm nosing around for more all the time.

Shipping is usually around $160ish via EMS (Express Mail Service). I've had quite a few guitars and basses sent this way and never had an issue.

Best of luck with the search!