A Funny Thing Happened on the Way To Snohomish

[thx1955]

Hi All,
As the title says !!

So this last Sunday I traveled out to Snohomish (north of Seattle) to audition a lovely 1996 SVT-II Pro that had next to no use and is in pristine Condition (Which I snagged)

Given how cold it had gotten over Saturday night and the blizzards plus the fact it was freezing cold on Sunday I decided not to take my 4003 out in the cold and took along another bass in order to audition the SVT.

As I was playing through the SVT and talking to the seller I commented that I'd have preferred to bring my Ric, but hadn't because of the cold, "I've got a RIc" he says, would you like to try it !!

Ummmmmm yes of course I reply, and asked how old it was .....

I'm not sure, but it's a 1972 and it's that Rickenbacker Red

You mean Fireglo I say hesitantly !!!

Yes that's it Fireglo

Ok, I'lll be right back and he heads out the room !!

This is where the story gets interesting !!!

He brings back an absolutely gorgeous 1972 (LH-August) 4001 in Fireglo, in fantastic condition, a wonderful deep Fireglo with not only Chequered binding, but full width Sparklie inlays, and Wavy Grovers again in almost new condition.

Overall the 4001 is in superb condition for it's age and as we started to talk about it, well, in my case I was doing a lot of drooling !! He mentioned that the bass apparently at one time as far as he knows it belonged to the Bassist from Foghat, and it had come into his possession by swapping a friend of his the bass for a Stereo Receiver.

The neck is in great condition and I mentioned to him that it looked great for it's age!

"It's only got one trussrod because the original had broken, and the guy who worked on it .... Mark .... Mark Arnquist removed the old one added two carbon fiber inlays, and then a single rod !!

At this point I'm feeling like it's the twilight zone !! and I ask Mark Arnquist ?? Mark who used to work for Rickenbacker !!!

Yes that's him, he did a great job !!, and he hands me the 4001 to try !!

I then spend the next half hour in hog heaven !!

I've got pictures of the 4001 and I'll try to get them posted, I've also invited the owner Matt, to register the 4001 here, and to sign up and join the rest of the nuts, so we'll see.

Sadly it's not for sale, Matt's owned it since 1976 I belive and he's not parting with it ... oh well !!!

[henry5]

Jim, we definitely need to see pictures!

[cassius987]

Carbon fiber and a single rod eh?? Wow! Thanks for sharing this...

[86kubicki]

Great story Jim! I've seen that combination of two carbon graphite rods for stiffness and a single truss rod for adjustment from manufacturers like Lakland. Looking forward to pics!

[rickenbrother]

Looking forward to the pics, Jim. Let me know if you need any help posting them.

[johnallg]

So this last Sunday I traveled out to Snohomish (north of Seattle) to audition a lovely 1996 SVT-II Pro that had next to no use and is in pristine Condition (Which I snagged)

Great Jim! Answers my wondering if you did do that.

This is where the story gets interesting !!!

Talk about an understatement!! I think we're all looking forward to the pictures. Congrats on a great experience and story.

[rickaddict]

Nice! Thanks for sharing, Jim. Small world, ain't it?

[kssound]

it seems like there are a lot of Ricky's around our area. I wonder who has my old 4001FL fireglow. I got it at the old Guitar Center in Seattle back in 74. Another one that I should never have let go.

[antonius]

Thanks for sharing such a great story!

[fatcat]

Neat story about what happened when you got there but what was the funny thing that happened on the way?

[wints]

Arnquist is still a guy who knows Ric basses better than most.

[thx1955]

Joey,
Sent the pics to your email, can you post them for me.

Many thanks,
JimG

[rickenbrother]

Sure Jim!

[rickenbrother]

Two more from Jim.

[s4001]

Gorgeous bass. Fabulous red cast.

It's got the same brass nut that I have on mine.