How do you go about selling a 4001?

[turbinepaul]

I've got a May 1973 Mapleglo Rickenbacker 4001 bass that I'm looking to sell. Local guitar stores seem to think it's too valuable for them to sell, so have suggested I try to sell it privately, but I'm not really sure where or how. It's been played in the studio and live since I got it in around 1995 (I bought it from a collector who I'm pretty sure had it from new), but even so it's in great condition with no belt scratches on the back or anything like that. The only problem really is that the chrome is flaking off the serial number/output jack plate, but the serial number itself (ME1670) is still readable. Any advice on possible selling price and how to go about finding a good home for it would be most welcome. Cheers, Paul (Nottinghamshire, UK).

My 1973 Rickenbacker 4001

[antipodean]

Hi Paul, and welcome!

I'm not sure why your local dealers are scared off. A mid '73 4001 will be worth more than a new 4003 but the quantum isn't enormous. A dealer will, of course, offer you 30% less than you could probably get directly.

Using Ebay with a buy-it-now price (and being open for offers) is a good method to sell gear fast. If you're after the highest possible value and hence don't want to set a BIN price, you could set up an auction with an opening bid set to where you would be happy to sell and then look for upside. There is pretty decent demand for Ricks out of the EU, so you should be able to move the bass at a good price without too much trouble.

[turbinepaul]

Hi there,
Many thanks for the advice and prompt reply.
I was surprised too with the local store's attitude, especially as they don't seem to have any problem moving Gibson Les Paul's and Tokai's and other 6 string gems around. And it's not just one store either, I've tried a few in different towns and cities, and I'm getting the same story. Everyone loves the bass, but seem to be a bit worried about taking it off my hands. Perhaps, as you suggest, they're just not moving quite so well in the UK (or the EU).
On that subject, and sorry to be a pain about this, but what happens with things like postage and packaging if I do manage to sell it on ebay for example, and someone outside the UK ends up buying it. For a UK buyer I'd suggest that they come and pick it up, so that it stays safe, but obviously outside the UK this isn't going to be possible. Do you happen to know what steps I need to take regarding packaging and shipping abroad, and if there would be any customs issues I'd need to be wary of?
I'm a total beginner at selling guitars, and I don't want my first one to end up as drift wood or matchsticks when it gets to its new owner.
Thanks for your help, Paul

[xcoyle]

This bass should be pretty easy to price and they are fairly collectable. It is a 1973 with binding, but without full inlays and come up fairly often. If you don't have the original case, knock off about $175 for that. They get tricky to price if there are any routing under the guards, or tuners changed with new holes, etc. Yours at first glance looks stock.

[libratune]

I was surprised too with the local store's attitude, especially as they don't seem to have any problem moving Gibson Les Paul's and Tokai's and other 6 string gems around. And it's not just one store either, I've tried a few in different towns and cities, and I'm getting the same story. Everyone loves the bass, but seem to be a bit worried about taking it off my hands. Perhaps, as you suggest, they're just not moving quite so well in the UK (or the EU).

My guess is that these stores have had rare items like this before and their experience is that they have to answer lots of questions, people want them to take the instrument apart and verify pot codes, wiring, etc. So they may have decided it is simply not worth the aggravation for whatever consignment fee they may get on a sale. They may also be worried about insurance and security for a bass such as yours, which I would estimate would be worth at least US$2500 in the US (likey more in the UK), especially if their regular stock is low-end.

On that subject, and sorry to be a pain about this, but what happens with things like postage and packaging if I do manage to sell it on ebay for example, and someone outside the UK ends up buying it. For a UK buyer I'd suggest that they come and pick it up, so that it stays safe, but obviously outside the UK this isn't going to be possible. Do you happen to know what steps I need to take regarding packaging and shipping abroad, and if there would be any customs issues I'd need to be wary of?
I'm a total beginner at selling guitars, and I don't want my first one to end up as drift wood or matchsticks when it gets to its new owner.

If I were in your position, I would list this on ebay with the admonition "UK buyers only, pickup preferred." Check out other ebay auctions for Rick basses (or for any vintage instruments, for that matter). Many of the ads are qualified with this language. If you are a first-time, one-time seller, there is no need to familiarize yourself with the vagaries of packing, shipping, customs, etc. Good luck!

[rkbsound]

I don't see why a store wouldn't buy your bass. It's not like it's rare or any more expensive than the newer Gibsons or the prices of other new guitars. Either you are not going to enough stores or they aren't offering you enough money.

[coolhandjjl]

Why don't you list it here?

[grazioso]

hey i can see the store's point of view...it is small pond here in eu, the economy IS bad and even though it is customs union here the shipping within eu is nowhere as cheap as it is in usa and internet sales is not as dominant...united europe is no united states ...my friend has quite big store here in prague and i can tell you that he hadn't sell single expensive guitar (over $500) in more than a year....european buyers are just very different from the usa -where if it is good or bad economy - there still is some viable market for vintage guitars...and other luxury items - i am watching local eu ebay and it is just very different - there are fewer interesting instruments here and the buyers are cheaper and cheaper...it seems to me that people are satisfied with whatever they've got far easier than in usa...couple examples - i have seen recently sales of 1964 jaguar in very good condition for $850 (i came too late ), i picked up top of the line grimshaw archtop from uk for about half what it is worth imho...i am seeing many nice les pauls for very good $$$ so it is time to buy things and it is hard time to sell.

[grazioso]

Hi there,

On that subject, and sorry to be a pain about this, but what happens with things like postage and packaging if I do manage to sell it on ebay for example, and someone outside the UK ends up buying it. For a UK buyer I'd suggest that they come and pick it up, so that it stays safe, but obviously outside the UK this isn't going to be possible. Do you happen to know what steps I need to take regarding packaging and shipping abroad, and if there would be any customs issues I'd need to be wary of?
I'm a total beginner at selling guitars, and I don't want my first one to end up as drift wood or matchsticks when it gets to its new owner.
Thanks for your help, Paul

decent packing guidelines are available online in many places
so just couple important hints
1) make sure it will not have freedom of moving inside the case when shipped
2) contrary to common wisdom i suggest even with rickenbacker detuning it - i have seen couple fingerboard separations and cracks caused by well packed box being dropped
3) padding between the case and outer box shouldn't be overdone - if there is nothing to compress on impact - there is no protection either..
4) if you don't have the case available use plenty bubble wrap and double box the guitar.
5) sports stores have often large boxes from bikes and such to throw away - smart use of box cutter can make very good guitar box from the bike box....
6) check the mail restrictions with your post office - if i remember correctly some eu countries can't accept larger packages and or musical instruments although this keeps changing ...

within eu dhl is not as cheap as royal mail is but their services are bit better - er - just a bit better...so i would suggest "local pickup encouraged" option everywhere where you're gonna list it - the thing is that the "only local pickup option" makes it cheaper in an instant...so don't throw away shipping option - i can tell that e.g. for me it would come cheaper to pick it up in person from uk than shipping it with dhl... but i don't have time to do any such travel unless i already have another good reason to go there...so if i'd want the guitar i'd just bite the bullet and pay the shipping...another approach is to jack up the price a bit and include eu shipping with mail...

[turbinepaul]

Many thanks to everyone for your insight and advice. Very much appreciated. I think for the time being I'm going to pop it on eBay with a reserve price that I'm prepared to accept and see what happens. If it doesn't sell then I might start to look further afield (EU or even USA/Australia) but my main preference is to avoid shipping if I can. Thanks again, Paul

[johnnysain]

Sell something else and avoid future regret and misery.

[doctorwho]

Welcome, Paul, and good luck with the auction.