1978 4001-What is it worth?

[ibanezjones]

I do realize how lame this is that this is my first post. I did not even know you guys were here!


I have a 1978 4001 in burgundy glo. Serial # RE25**. Excellent condition with all original parts, and only a couple of very small dings. It was custom ordered then with black binding, (actually black binding with a thin strip of white as well) black pickguard, truss cover, etc.. I think it is a bit of a rare bird, as I have yet to see another like it. One owner, clean as can be. I hate to move it, but medical bills await. Any help you guys could give me would be very much appreciated. Stored with low tension flats on it, no fretwear, no neck problems. Original Rickenbacker hardshell case as well.

[Ric O'Sound]

Nooooo!!!

Sean, buddy, where were you two weeks ago?!? I just blew most of the music budget on another guitar about 10 days ago and I can't raid the Christmas gift account (tempting as it may be). I have to cool it until mid-January at the earliest. Otherwise I'd take it off your hands. I know I'll probably kick myself later for not buying this bass. Love that color with the black trim.

Considering the condition and the color, I'm guessing the bass would fetch around 2k. Possibly more. I'm sure other forumites might be able to give you a more accurate estimate.

Good luck with the sale...and welcome to the forum.

[ibanezjones]

The thought of selling this one makes my stomach ache. It will be quite hard, but my son was hospitalized and my deductible on my insurance is huge.

Sorry about the photos, you cannot see the black binding all too well. You can see the thin white strip of binding that is in front of the black.

I agree, a great color combination. I have never seen another. (Burgundyglo/black). I have seen many Burgundyglo with white.

[ken_j]

Welcome Sean. Best wishes for your son's speedy recovery. That is a great looking bass. Truely a great color/binding combo. With the exception of guitars and basses with checkerboard binding a multi-layered bound Rick is rare.

[rickenbrother]

Sean, welcome to the forum. Best wishes for your son's quick recovery.

That sure is a pretty 4001. I'd love to see pictures of it out of the case. I hope you can find a way to keep it.

[jingle_jangle]

This multi-layered thing seems to be a sporadic mid-to-late '70s thing. Can anyone verify? My '75 481 MG/BT has a thin strip of white inside the black, but my '76 4001 has only black.

That is one beautiful bass, Sean!

[cassius987]

It will be quite hard, but my son was hospitalized and my deductible on my insurance is huge.

Really sorry about this. Health care is definitely something that needs to get straightened out in my opinion. My wife has gone through several hospitalizations due to liver/gall bladder/kidney issues in the last year or so and it's taken quite a toll, but we are lucky to have gotten through most of it without taking a huge hit, in spite of having to battle the insurance a lot to get them to pay for anything. I wish you the best through all of your struggle (and most importantly I hope for the recovery of your son).

[ibanezjones]

I appreciate all the well wishes. Thank you so much. I think he will be okay, just a motility problem with the lower bowel due to a stomach virus. They said about a three day stay. But, EXPENSIVE!

I will get some out of case photos posted tomorrow when I have some good light to work with.

Thanks again!

[ibanezjones]

A few more photos as requested. This is as large as I was able to post. If you are interested in the larger versions of these photos, just send me an private message with your email address and I will get them to you.

[Ric O'Sound]

Oh man, that thing is beautiful, Sean.

This is sheer torture....someone, please buy this bass before I give in to the temptation.

[johnallg]

Sean, send me those three pics and I will put them up here as large as allowed. Use the email tag under my name.

[johnallg]

Here are the pictures Sean sent me - what a beautiful bass! Sorely tempted!

[hieronymous]

WOW!!!

[just_bassics]

WOW!!!

+1! Sean I hope you find a way to work this out and keep her. That bass is gorgeous and as much as I'd love to take her off your hands, I'd never feel right owning it. Is it possible, in any way, to find a buyer that will give you a "buy back" option?

[cjj]

Man, that's stunning! I've always been a big fan of black binding, sophisticated, but not gaudy. But that thin white strip of binding really sets it off! I just wish the grain market hadn't tanked so bad or I'd be seriously considering this one!

Good luck with the sale (and with your son)!