1964 Fg 4000 model - appraised value

[teeder]

Cool bass, but I know I would miss that toaster sound.

[collin]

Gorgeous!!

[woodyng]

Yes,that finish/patina is just perfection. I like that the finish is knocked off the fretboard,too. If this has been refretted,it may be that the finish was just knocked down a bit and could be re-buffed. That is what happened to my 4000 when i had it refretted,and i told the luthier to leave it that way! I would love to hear what one of these horeshoe-only basses sound like. I love the sound of the higain pickup on my '74 4000,but imagine the HS is a bit warmer sounding.
Hmmmm,if i sold all 3 of my Ricks,i would still be wanting for cash for this, ...best of luck with your sale!

[sashua]

Thanks guys. It's a straight trade...and a fair one I think.
I hate to see her go but I have always wanted a Roundup and the $15K they usually list for is a steep climb.
In the final analysis I suppose it's all just about getting better toys to charge our Mojo makers

[chefothefuture]

Personally, I would not do the trade.
You will find other Round Ups, but you would be pretty hard pressed to find another one of these.
A 64 4000 is rarer than the RM1999.
The highly questionable "Smith" figures are 1 for '64. There are likely a few more than that, but that number
could be counted on all fingers and some of a foot….(OK so maybe both feet….)

But, you have to go with what you're wanting. Heaven knows I've made some trades that made many wince LOL!

[chefothefuture]

Cool bass, but I know I would miss that toaster sound.

My '65 did fine with out. The no-neck cavity gave it sustain and ROAR!

[teeder]

Certainly not saying it would sound bad, but for my taste and from my small sampling, "the" classic Rick tone is a toaster with the capped bridge pu.

[jps]

Interesting replies regarding the classic tones we think of when discussing Rick basses from the '60s. In that light, what famous '60s players used a 4000 for recordings and gigs? Let's keep it relevant to the current discussion by limiting the model years to when the "modern" version started to be made (1962?-ish) up through the end of the magnetic horseshoe timeframe (1968-69-ish).

[chefothefuture]

Interesting replies regarding the classic tones we think of when discussing Rick basses from the '60s. In that light, what famous '60s players used a 4000 for recordings and gigs? Let's keep it relevant to the current discussion by limiting the model years to when the "modern" version started to be made (1962?-ish) up through the end of the magnetic horseshoe timeframe (1968-69-ish).

I recall seeing a video of the Castaways performing "Liar Liar" where the bass player was using a 4000.
I can't find the video anywhere though.
Though only a "one hit wonder" and an obscure one as well…
There's a promo shot of the group with the bass player posing with the 4000 too. This is in Tom Tourville's book, "Minnesota Rocked".

[sashua]

Hi John,

I suppose rarity doesn't always translate to value though. I have not tried but I doubt that I would get more than $7.8K for this bass. On the other side of the coin, I think I am going to disagree regarding the availability of the Gretsch Roundup. I have had my peripheral vision on steady lookout for a beater or a project in this model....they don't exist. I have only been able to find prime examples ranging from $10K on the low end to about $18K on the high end.

I'd love to keep her but I don't want to reach into the slush fund for that Roundup (especially because it isn't nearly as slushy as it used to be. )

[jps]

If the trader will take the 4000 as a straight swap that is good for you and he probably realizes the value of the Roundup is not anywhere near top value given the finish issues so it sounds like a winner for the both of you. Of course you could always replace that ratty old pine top with something like burled chestnut or flamed myrtle or something like that and make it a really special guitar!

[chefothefuture]

Hi John,

I suppose rarity doesn't always translate to value though. I have not tried but I doubt that I would get more than $7.8K for this bass. On the other side of the coin, I think I am going to disagree regarding the availability of the Gretsch Roundup. I have had my peripheral vision on steady lookout for a beater or a project in this model....they don't exist. I have only been able to find prime examples ranging from $10K on the low end to about $18K on the high end.

I'd love to keep her but I don't want to reach into the slush fund for that Roundup (especially because it isn't nearly as slushy as it used to be...thank you Comrade Obama )

Well, the bottom line is that it's your bass and if it's no longer
filling that "need" for you then by all means follow your wants.
I just wish I had a Round Up to trade you! LOL!

[wints]

What John said...

This is a super rare bass. Bet it's the only one we see in the next ten years...

[Captain Bob]

There's a '67 FG 4000 with the original HS pup, mounted on display in a small shop here in East Nashville. The woman who owns the shop won't part with it, as it was her first bass.
I tried to convince her to protect it properly by placing it in it's case, instead of the manner in which its portrayed over the entrance to a room.

[wints]

There's a '67 FG 4000 with the original HS pup, mounted on display in a small shop here in East Nashville. The woman who owns the shop won't part with it, as it was her first bass.
I tried to convince her to protect it properly by placing it in it's case, instead of the manner in which its portrayed over the entrance to a room.

This bass was on Ric bass Facebook page IIRC sometime ago. Can't recall if it's been posted here, with a serial number however.