Vintage or New when buying a Rickenbacker?

[monoBEAR]

I am in the market for a used or new 4003 Rickenbacker bass in either Jetglo or Fireglo, haven't decided which color yet. Either way, I know I am gonna spend $1500 to $2000 on one. In your opinion is a person better off going with a brand new 2010 for $2000 or looking around for a deal and possibly getting a good used (vintage) one for $1500-$1750? I have seen older ones but have quite a few knicks in them and don't seem to be in the best condition cosmetically.

Thanks in advance!

Jeremy

[libratune]

I would go with a new one. The pricing difference isn't that much, and you get the latest improvements (search around here for several discussion threads), including 2-piece neck, improved color and clearcoat finish and factory warranty.

If you are going for used/vintage, I would recommend finding one locally and playing it first. Unless the seller is very reputable, you never know quite what you are going to get when you buy used/vintage long distance.

[monoBEAR]

Good call! Thanks so much for the advice.

[rickenbrother]

I agree with Ron.

[IHeartRics]

I was just talking to someone the other day about the escalating prices of "vintage" guitars and I loved his comment:
"When I was younger all I could afford was a used guitar. Now that I'm older, all I can afford is a new guitar."

[cjj]

How true!

[winston]

Very true, unless of course you run across some deals on used Rickenbackers that are hard to turn down like I have.

[antipodean]

In North America, buying new makes so much sense - unless the discount for used is substantial, or you're after certain vintage features, a new Rick is the one to get! Go for it!

Down under, it's a totally different story...

[egosheep]

It seems to me that if your budget could go up to $2000, I would keep an eye out for a vintage deal. Sometimes when you have the cash in hand, the right deal will come along and you can get something special for the right price.

But I'm a sucker for old instruments, so... I'm biased that way.

[BlueHelmet]

My advice would be to go for both actually .. So the question is only which one to get first.

Still, I've never had my hands on a brand-new Rick. In Germany, it is almost impossible to get a Rick for a good price at all: New ones are around $3,000; used ones aren't THAT less expensive unless you're really, really lucky.

[jdogric12]

Vintage!

[Clint]

I buy used whenever I can. I always make my first offer way below what I'm willing to pay; you'd be surprised how often the seller takes it.

[johnnysain]

I'd go for a 4001,...as long as it has no modification history and in very good condition. Then as long as the price is reasonable,...the investment is solid.

[monoBEAR]

I actually ended up getting me a brand new one. 2010 4003 Jetglo. Got it from the fine folks at Guitar Emporium in Louisville, Kentucky for a sweet price of $1750. I didn't think that was bad at all for a brand new one. The gentlemen said it had never even been taken out of the box and was exactly as it was shipped from Rickenbacker. OHSC included. w00t!

Jeremy

[egosheep]

Congrats Jeremy, be sure to post some photos when you get it!