How long have you consecutively owned a Ric?

[thisismusicinc]

It's been 10 years now, 5 European tours and 2 trips to the States, and plenty to come.
It has some good company now, but if I ever have to sell my rickembackers it will be the last to go.

[walker]

What kind of guitar is it, Jon? Any pics?

[thisismusicinc]

It's a 4003 born in 1998. I only have a few lousy pics of it, but you can see it in action here:

http://www.dagbladet.no/2009/08/15/kult ... t/7671465/

[walker]

Sweet, Jon! Great photo. I'm also impressed that you guys have an actual angel in your band!

Rock on!

[deaconblues]

8 years, if my memory serves me correctly. I think I got my 330 in seventh grade...for $700! Since then I've gone through three different 325 reissue models and a 360/12, but I'll never get rid of the original.

[walker]

Aaah, yes! That's the great thing about having bought a Rick so long ago - the price. I bought my first 4001 used for $450 in 1982, which may have been steep even for back then given the amount of damage on it - frets were already eaten, bare wood patch bigger than a silver dollar on the back, non-original hardware... but as you said, even though it's worth more now, I'd never sell it.

[deaconblues]

Just goes to show you how crazy the prices have gotten - this was 2001(ish) and the 330 was in excellent condition with only a bit of belt buckle worming on the back and moderate fretwear (I can't recall how much it had before because I played the **** out of it!)

What year is the 4001?

[paologregorio]

18 years for my 381/12 V69

I bought my AZ blue 360 WB back in April of `85 (11/84 manufacture date-I had to wait for it a few months), but sold it in `95, got it back in `05 (it sat in the friend I sold it to's closet for ten years), so while I bought that one first, I've actually had it in my possession fewer years than my 381/12. Go figure.

3 years for the `79 JG 4001 I bought in `83

That's the list of how long I've owned each Rick, but ever since June of 1983, I've been the owner of at least one Rick, so a 26 year unbroken chain of being a Rickenbacker owner.

[walker]

Dan - the 4001 I'm referring to is listed on the previous page; it's a '79.

Now that you mention the year you bought your 330, $700 actually sounds like a really good price.

[360dave]

Wow! Talk about digging through the crates! Kudos to Ron Seebol for unearthing this thread. Nice little bragging rights opp for the long-time owners. Looks like David Harmon (360dave) has us all beat by a longshot having bought his 360 in 1960! (See David's original post) That is, provided he still has it. You still with us Dave? You've got a 50th anniversary coming up!

This day in Oct of 2009 marks approx 27 years that I've been a consistent Rick owner/player. I bought my first Rick bass in 1982, a '79 4001 JG. It has gone through many changes over the years, and is now what I call a "4001V63 Deluxe" due to the Vintage RI additions.

I've added a few more ricks to my playing collection since then, and I still have them all. In 1998 or so, I was a bit strapped for cash and ALMOST pawned my '76 4001 FL, but the pawn broker totally tried to ream me on the deal, only offering me $150 for the bass, claiming it was heavily depreciated because it was missing a screw. I informed him (with some choice words that I can't repeat here) that HE was missing a screw, and I promptly walked out with bass in hand. I still have it, and as it turns out, it's my main money maker for session work.

Here's a then & now photo of the '79 4001V63 in commemoration of its 30th birthday:



~ 1979, 2009 ~

Hi Mark......love your 4001 and the pictures!
Thanks for reminding me about the post I made previously.

Yep.....I am still out here and checking in occasionally....and.....I still have the 360MG in very original condition.
It has been 10 years since I made that post and 5 years since you commented on it.....so here I am....54 years and a couple of months into ownership of this guitar....yikes!

I have a friend that has a 365FG that is a 59' model. I know for sure that he still has it and is the original owner as well....I was with him the day he bought it and a Magnatone 280 stereo amp that I now own.
A lot of early 60' memories with that guitar....Gold Star Studios etc etc....

Best to All

Dave

[walker]

That's awesome, Dave! Great to hear the update!

[bottom4]

Bought my first Rick in 1976. Sold it in 79 because the neck went bad. Purchased my next Rick in 85 still have it a 4001 V63MG. Next came a 1997 4003 JG, 4004 Cii MG 2003, then came a 4003S/5 2002 (purchased new in 2004 from a dealers unsold stock) Still have them...

WOW! it was over 10 years ago when I first replied to this thread! Man have things changed in my life since then...

All but my 1985 4001 V63 - original owner and still have her....

[manta]

With the exception of a couple of very brief stretches, I have had a RIC in my life since 1965. It isn't the same RIC, but I've always had one around. I started with a 625/6 in 1965 and then a 330/6 and then an older single p/up 425. Only during a couple of years in the Army did I not own one. Now I have 5. Yee-haw!!

[David Watts]

Same 330 since 1992, and 620/12 since 1995.
I still regret selling my 1985 320 to get my 330...

[kiramdear]

I bought my 320 in Spring of 1983 for 600$ brand new and have had it close ever since.