1958 Rickenbacker 4000 Bass On Ebay!

mgauction · Post by **mgauction** » Mon Feb 14, 2005 2:54 pm

Sorry for the smal pic but here is the link:http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=41439&item=7301163363&rd=1

This is almost exactly like the 1959 I sold last summer. UNFORTUNATELY the neck has been repaired. I spoke to the seller and he explained to me that the bass was shipped to Japan and the headstock was broken in transit. It was repaired by a luthier in Japan, used for a short time and then sent back to the US for resale. The seller has a phenominal Rickenbacker guitar collection that has been displayed in the early portion of the book "Beatle Gear."

I would be all over this if the damage was not so bad. The 1959 I sold at least was intact with some routing, a refin and changed parts. That I could handle -- headstock repair - no!

Ted...........?

ratso · Post by **ratso** » Mon Feb 14, 2005 3:02 pm

wOw....That is one cool *** bass! It's good to see it may be passing from one forum member to another. I love that style, look and color. Wish I hadn't blown the wad on my 4001 last week! How's it play and sound Manabu?

mgauction · Post by **mgauction** » Mon Feb 14, 2005 3:06 pm

I don't own this, Ron. Just saw it on ebay.

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Mon Feb 14, 2005 3:23 pm

Pretty sweet even with the repair. I might have a go.

mgauction · Post by **mgauction** » Mon Feb 14, 2005 3:33 pm

Ted - contact him! He's in Wisconsin. Just a hop, skip, jump from you!

From what I can see all the parts are original!

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Mon Feb 14, 2005 3:41 pm

ahhhh ... NECK REPAIR ... that is scary ... but on the upside it doesn't have ric-o-sound or a mechanical mute or a bass cut capaciter ...

boy am I glad they changed the pickguard ...

mgauction · Post by **mgauction** » Mon Feb 14, 2005 3:52 pm

I've always liked that early pickguard, Jeff. Very outer space - like all the Rossmeisl designs.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Mon Feb 14, 2005 4:21 pm

very 50's ... like plan 9 from outer space ... or an early Star Trek design ...

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Mon Feb 14, 2005 4:23 pm

It does have a mechanical mute. The cover has a foam pad that presses against the strings.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Mon Feb 14, 2005 4:27 pm

very 50's ... like plan 9 from outer space ... or an early Star Trek design ...

ratso · Post by **ratso** » Mon Feb 14, 2005 4:42 pm

Larry, Is that you representing seller? I'm curious how these older Ricks sound and play. Would love to hear.

mgauction · Post by **mgauction** » Mon Feb 14, 2005 4:52 pm

Your right, Ron. Thats who I talked to. Boy, you know everyone!

thx1955 · Post by **thx1955** » Mon Feb 14, 2005 4:53 pm

Outstanding ... I was just looking at the 57 catalouge last night ... even with the repair it's still lovely.

In this case I'd forgoe a Fireglo makeover !!!!

dale_fortune · Post by **dale_fortune** » Mon Feb 14, 2005 4:57 pm

This is what I see from experience. Look very close at the peg head crack(back of the neck) at the G fret area, it looks very cemetrical as if the peg head crack(quote buy seller) was very severe and a whole new peg head was grafted on. I say this because I have done this exact repair on vintage instruments and they look exactly like this. There is nothing wrong with this type of repair, compare it to a vintage Ford having a new set of fiberglass fenders to replace to originals.
Sometimes in order to save an instrument you have to make this call.

jblakey · Post by **jblakey** » Mon Feb 14, 2005 5:01 pm

Jeff- Do you mean the Vulcan Lyre?