"The first of these basses was commisioned by Chris Squire and John Hall, Rickenbacker's CEO for the Born to Rock Exhibition and was auctioned for charity. Two more followed shortly after for Chris Squire."
I spoke to Dan from DM Guitars who has suggested (subject to seeing the bass) that it's likely to cost around £250/$400 to refret and refinish the neck, to refinish the whole bass, given the fact the body has been oiled, he was suggesting around £5-650/$8-1000. He is also inundated with work, which wouldn't have been that much of a problem as I really wouldn't have been in that much of a hurry to get the work completed.
I don't really see this as a viable project anymore - I was thinking of buying purely on sentimental grounds, I had my first Rick experience with a Blonde '73 4001 and was thinking it would be cool to perhaps refinish it as such.
