Simple question about '68 4001

atomic_punk · Post by **atomic_punk** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 12:59 pm

If you can restore the '68, it is worth a lot of cashish.
Not to mention it will be following thru on a promise....there has got to be a way!! TED????

pflash4001 · Post by **pflash4001** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 1:11 pm

Cashish?!?! You smoking something, Steve? Did you bring enough for the rest of the class? Just kidding. Thanks for the info guys. I will try to take some photos of it later tonight. It almost brings a tear to my eye to see it next to my '79. I want this instrument back on stage with me. About fulfilling a promise, man I probably won't ask my dad to pay for it. Hell, he put my *** through school. I think he and my mom have done enough. I do want to get it restored, if nothing else for sentimental reasons. I was asking about the financial aspect of this bass because this one seems to provoke more interest than other years. Like I said, I love my '79, but the '68 just feels so much better. If I am not mistaken the basses were built in September '68 and April '79

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 1:20 pm

68's are a little more common comparatively speaking than other 4001's 61-71. How many 67's, 69's or 65's do you hear of? 61's, 62's? How many 70 or 71's for that matter? From 72 on they are fairly common. This is IMHO of course.

wints · Post by **wints** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 2:15 pm

That 68 will be worth somewhere in the region of at least $5K if restored properly Javier. Take your time, ask lots of questions and I'm sure it will be a bass to treasure for years.

bassman · Post by **bassman** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 2:40 pm

Here's one of the only photos that I have of my 68 Mapleglo 4001. Because of the resolution change a lot of the detail is difficult to see.

It had all the standard 68 Vintage features, including a horseshoe.

In a weak moment 12 years ago I sold it for $1000.00 US to John Slog at Guitar Villa. STUPID, STUPID, STUPID I know. But I also had my 88 4001v63 which I was totally in love with at the time which caused me to ignore the 68.

Man, that's one I wish I had back along with a better picture of it.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 2:51 pm

Javier ... I bought my '68 in 1973 ... the neck was wacked out ... it was bowed ... I took it to a tech and had the truss rods adjusted and a new nut made and it was fine ... it never needed another truss rod adjustment ... the neck was never as playable as a modern ric is on the high frets ... but the neck was so slim that it was a joy to play ... so I say find a good tech and get the neck adjusted and see if it is playable ... if you want to sell it I love to restore old ric basses ... aahhh but you probably want to keep it ...

and a '68 is more valuable than a '69 but early 60's basses are more rare and more pricey ...

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 2:55 pm

Jon ... nice couch ...

pflash4001 · Post by **pflash4001** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 4:06 pm

Jon, that looks just like mine, but mine has had the neck p/u gouged out (by the first owner) and that is one of the things I need fixed. I know the electronics work can be done, but right now I am more concerned with getting the neck fixed. As it is now, the neck is bowed backward and the fretboard is de-laminating from about the first to third frets. There seems to be no structural damage to the wood, but it is coming unglued. I took it to a tech in San Antonio who said that the truss rods are in their cavity, but they don't seem to be anchored to anything. He said something about them just turning in their cavity. ???...I don't know about that, but he obviously said it was beyond his capabilities and so I brought it home, in the same condition. So, here I am again, looking for someone with the experience and training to do this kind of job. As soon as I get a free moment this evening I will shoot a few pics of the two Rics and post them here or in a new thread.

ratso · Post by **ratso** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 4:16 pm

Javier, Your a very fortunate guy! The only guy I have trusted with my Rics is Dale Fortune. He is a former Rickenbacker employee and does fantastic work (as do others that frequent this place!). Here is a picture of my favorite bass. It's a '68 4001 and it stands out amoung all my other cool basses for tone, comfortable neck, playability and plain old fireglo glory (beauty)!!

pflash4001 · Post by **pflash4001** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 4:21 pm

Man, I wish mine were in that kind of shape. As it is right now it is unplayable, but you guys are giving me hope that it can be restored. My problem is that I haven't been able to get a hold of anyone to do the work. Does anyone know someone qualified to do this work in Texas? Any contact information to a shop/tech able to do this would be greatly appreciated.

ken_swearingen · Post by **ken_swearingen** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 5:10 pm

Jon,just to let you know john slog ,still has your 68 4001 i talk with him now and again also has a 65 fireglo neither are for sale. Dave there are a few 70-71 21 fritters here on the forum ,Ive got my eye on another[71]for sale.AS for deluxe models Ive seen 63,64,65,68,69,70,71 and above, Ive never seen a 66,67 deluxe and of course never seen either 61 or 62.

walrus · Post by **walrus** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 5:15 pm

I don't know how many there are, but here's a shot of my '71, keeping with the couch theme.

thx1955 · Post by **thx1955** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 5:28 pm

Ron, Bob .... Fireglo only gets better with age, both are lovely.

Bob, what's the production month of your 71?

pflash4001 · Post by **pflash4001** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 5:31 pm

ok...Here are a few pics of my babies.

Here's a pic of my 2 year old inspecting
my '68...

Here are a couple of my '68

'68 body

'68 Full

'68 & '79 together

Guitar family portrait. My son wanted a picture of Daddy's Boom-Booms and their sister! Here are my two Rics along with my Guild F-45CE

pflash4001 · Post by **pflash4001** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 5:35 pm

Here are a couple of pics of the delamination and the hack job on the body on my '68. Who ever did this should be shot!