I think it's time for me to move on...

[mikes123]

Jeez I go to work for a couple of hours and I come home to a lot of responses! First of all I own another fretless bass so not all is lost if I plan to trade my 4001FL. I would like to buy another Rickenbacker instead of trading the only one that I own but I'm a poor college student and money is on the tight end of the spectrum. The thing about jazz and metal is just the bands I'm in not playing style. I still love playing jazz, reggae, and other things that require a more mellow tone but my current gig calls for something a little bit more abrasive. I could get a more desired tone if I used roundwounds but I don't want to chew up the fretboard. I was also looking at the 2008 models, they look very nice .

[sloop_john_b]

I'd swap for a fretted Rick, Mike.

[berth]

I'm glad I always held onto my Fretless Rick. I bought it some 17 years ago and have been playing it on and off ever since. Sometimes not all for a couple of months, and then 3 months only fretless. Last few years it had been sitting in a closet because the fretboard was chewed up too much by the roundwounds. But I let the fretboard polish recently and I am very happy I did. I love playing fretless for the next couple of months I guess. And then this scheme starts all over.

I also have a fretless Warwick (SS I). It plays very well. And I do think I like an ebony board more than a lacquered one. But it just doesnt compare to the sweet voice of a Fretless Rick.

[ajish4]

I'd swap for a fretted Rick, Mike.

Hey John,

No cutting in line!

I'm looking for a MID 70's 4001FL, hopefully a 1974-1976.

[sloop_john_b]

Hey John,

No cutting in line!

I'm looking for a MID 70's 4001FL, hopefully a 1974-1976.

No no! I mean, if I were him, i'd swap. No interest in a fretless Rick here.

[mikes123]

Mine is a June 1976 white with black trim. I'm going to the Chicago Music Exchange at the end of the week. I was talking to one of the people that work they have about 12 ricks there so I'll hopefully find one that I like there. If not I'll just keep my '76 and buy a cheaper fretted bass.

[sloop_john_b]

Mine is a June 1976 white with black trim. I'm going to the Chicago Music Exchange at the end of the week. I was talking to one of the people that work they have about 12 ricks there so I'll hopefully find one that I like there. If not I'll just keep my '76 and buy a cheaper fretted bass.

Er...

[jdogric12]

I would not do business with them. Many, many here would agree with me on that. And then there is the rat who reads our CME comments and tells the owner. You know who you are!

I would keep the Rick FL since they're now discontinued. Sell the non-Rick FL and get a cheap fretted non-Rick. Just my $0.02.

[rickenbrother]

I would not do business with them. Many, many here would agree with me on that. And then there is the rat who reads our CME comments and tells the owner. You know who you are!

You dirty rat! (whoever you are)

[mikes123]

I would not do business with them. Many, many here would agree with me on that. And then there is the rat who reads our CME comments and tells the owner. You know who you are!

I would keep the Rick FL since they're now discontinued. Sell the non-Rick FL and get a cheap fretted non-Rick. Just my $0.02.

But my non-Rick FL is a defretted USA Reverend Rumblefish XL and since they have been discontinued for the past 6 years. Anyways Reverends are a lot more hard to come by than Rickenbackers because they where only in production for about 5 years and Reverend didn't sell too many of them, hence why they where discontinued. Again I'm still think over this over and over again. I love how the fretless rick feels and plays but I really want the fretted tone.

[sloop_john_b]

But my non-Rick FL is a defretted USA Reverend Rumblefish XL and since they have been discontinued for the past 6 years. Anyways Reverends are a lot more hard to come by than Rickenbackers because they where only in production for about 5 years and Reverend didn't sell too many of them, hence why they where discontinued. Again I'm still think over this over and over again. I love how the fretless rick feels and plays but I really want the fretted tone.

Trade the Reverend for a fretted one?

[jakeox]

Mine is a June 1976 white with black trim. I'm going to the Chicago Music Exchange at the end of the week. I was talking to one of the people that work they have about 12 ricks there so I'll hopefully find one that I like there. If not I'll just keep my '76 and buy a cheaper fretted bass.

CME nearly always have a great selection of basses -- definitely worth going to if you want to check out a bunch of basses of any particular type. I've never found the right bass there, so I've never purchased from them, but it's worth knowing going in that their asking prices are higher than most (they will negotiate though). I know some forumites have successfully bought from them. If one speaks to you, just check the bass out thoroughly and if you're not sure about anything, try to ask here (which I would do regardless of who I was buying from).

If you go, check out the July 73 MG. That one used to be mine. I don't know what they're asking for it, but it's a really nice bass.

I don't mean to diminish other peoples' bad experiences with them; I can't speak to that, and I've never bought from them myself. I'm sure people will PM you their experiences if you're interested. Their showroom is absolutely worth seeing regardless.

[mikes123]

Their showroom is absolutely worth seeing regardless.

I know!