60s4001s imposible to find?

ken_swearingen · Post by **ken_swearingen** » Thu Apr 15, 2004 11:06 am

hi, im ken i am new to the forum ,i have been in search of that elusive[rose morris] model [1999] regardless of cost they are near impossible to find.the [59]4000 on ebay was more rare but i guess less desirable i just cant seem to find one at any cost.

atomic_punk · Post by **atomic_punk** » Thu Apr 15, 2004 11:16 am

Hi Ken,
I think it is safe to say that you are among thousands of RIC fans who are looking for the same "needle" in the haystack. Those who have those Model 1999's are not in any hurry to let them go. And when they do, the people who want them snap them up so fast that the general public never sees them. Keep your eyes open, though, every day something comes out of the woodwork and amazes me.

wints · Post by **wints** » Thu Apr 15, 2004 11:45 am

Welcome to the forum Ken. I,m fortunate to be custodian of two RM1999,s bought back in the early 80,s. I know of about a dozen genuine examples out there today. I,m sure there are a few more, but not many. There are two other examples owned by members here on this forum I believe, which makes four in total. They are by most accounts the most desirable because of the association with McCartney/Squire and the other guys from the 60,s who originally bought Ric basses to the fore. Most have warped away by now, have been changed out considerably or used for firewood... My two are unoriginal in finish. The rule of supply and demand is in effect here. No one is selling because you simply can,t find another. There are a few converted 4000 basses out there pretending to be genuine, as well as other anomolies, but as ever should you come across a genuine one, be very careful, do your homework and be prepared to pay big $$$..

ken_swearingen · Post by **ken_swearingen** » Thu Apr 15, 2004 12:04 pm

thanks for the input steve and andrew i would almost settle for a converted 4000 done right.hey andy how about some pics?

jps · Post by **jps** » Thu Apr 15, 2004 3:07 pm

Welcome to the family Ken.

Refering to McCartney's bass, isn't it actually a 4001S? He got that bass here in the USA as a gift from F.C. Hall so technically it is not a RM1999. Or am I wrong?

ken_swearingen · Post by **ken_swearingen** » Thu Apr 15, 2004 3:54 pm

hi jeff,there's one person that could answer that question for sure, after all he presented it to mccartney.

jps · Post by **jps** » Thu Apr 15, 2004 4:24 pm

Sorry, he is no longer here, may he rest in peace! But his son would certainly know.

ken_swearingen · Post by **ken_swearingen** » Thu Apr 15, 2004 4:30 pm

thats who i was refering too, as i understood it he presented to mr mccartney.

los_sentidos · Post by **los_sentidos** » Thu Apr 15, 2004 9:30 pm

A local guitar shop (Coventry- UK) had a Ric in recently, it was a Burgundy 4001 - the guy seemed to think it was 64/65 - could this be? I went back at the weekend and he'd sold it a few days before for £1200. Is he right about the year?

headbanger · Post by **headbanger** » Fri Apr 16, 2004 3:59 am

Jeffrey Scott your right. 1999 was the stock code used by Rose Morris. 4001S was the Rick designation.

ken_swearingen · Post by **ken_swearingen** » Fri Apr 16, 2004 12:32 pm

i guess what the real question is did they make a 60s 4001s that was not export.

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Fri Apr 16, 2004 1:03 pm

Good question.

wints · Post by **wints** » Fri Apr 16, 2004 3:04 pm

I think officially they did, but there were so few of them made they were never listed in the U.S. catalogue. You guys had to have the deluxe features, binding and the MOP inlays... The export guys got the cheap no frills models!! Every RM1999 I know out there has come from the U.K. or Australia.

jps · Post by **jps** » Fri Apr 16, 2004 4:07 pm

Do I sense a bit of jealousy?

But look at it this way, you guys got bangers and mash over there!

headbanger · Post by **headbanger** » Sat Apr 17, 2004 8:22 am

They did make seven 4001S's between 1961 & 1968 in addition to the exports according to the Smith book. Two in 1964 of which McCartney's might be one.