Is this getting out of hand?

charlyg · Post by **charlyg** » Mon Feb 13, 2006 5:54 am

Text looks red to me.

rickaddict · Post by **rickaddict** » Mon Feb 13, 2006 5:56 am

I too, think that this one sold for too much. But then again, I don't live in the UK.

Its just one of those oddities. I also can't figure out why the 4000 typically sells for as much as it does. Its the poor man's Rick. It has a set neck, no binding, no triangles, and much less tonal versatility than a 4001/3.

And for that matter...what business does this '76 3001 have selling for $1425?!

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-1976-Rickenbacker-3001-Bass-w-case_W0QQitemZ7388439228QQcategoryZ4713QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I think the answer is that they're not being made anymore. If you want a 4003S...you can't buy one new. Also, this early 80's FG is unique. For a few years there it looked more like a Sunburst than a FG. Again...can't buy it new. Same thing goes for the baby headstock.

I personally would prefer a 4003S with the new truss rods but to each his own.

Not trying to be a jerk, Rikk...but what IS a vintage year? This one is an '81. That makes it 25 years old, which means its an antique. The word vintage can mean different things to different people.

And Ilan...doesn't your white 4001 have the baby headstock?

(Baby headstocks RULE!)

henry5 · Post by **henry5** » Mon Feb 13, 2006 7:39 am

Thing is Jeff, my 4000 dusts most of the 4001s/4003s I've ever played IMHO. I always used to think they were pointless really; wasn't keen on the look and expected them to sound thin and nasal. Then I played mine.....and it's now my main bass.

Regarding UK pricing, bear in mind a new 4003 costs around £1000, give or take a fifty. That's around $1700 dollars...and if you're buying from a shop you're unlikely to get a used 4001 in ANY condition for less than that. Good condition mid 70s 4001s are going for up to £1500 or so in some places ($2600). My 4000 was the cheapest (shop bought) I've found, and that cost around $1400 dollars a year or two ago. Ricks are unfortunately rather more expensive over here....

Although I don't like the fat horns or the split guard, I thought the colour on this one was wonderful. Like Simon I was also thinking if it stayed around £550 I'd have it! But I knew that wasn't likely...

leftyguitars · Post by **leftyguitars** » Mon Feb 13, 2006 8:03 am

If it had gone for £550 I would have bought it and learnt to play right handed!

atomic_punk · Post by **atomic_punk** » Mon Feb 13, 2006 8:27 am

My '82 4003s that I used to have had stereo outputs.

rickaddict · Post by **rickaddict** » Mon Feb 13, 2006 8:35 am

Sorry if I offended you, Shaun. All Ricks are cool in my book.(And Paul's book too, when it comes out!) I'd like to play/hear a 4000.

And although I too prefer thin horns, I really dig my fat-horned 4003S's:

ilan · Post by **ilan** » Mon Feb 13, 2006 10:00 am

"And Ilan...doesn't your white 4001 have the baby headstock?"

Jeff, yes it does, and my Shadow has it too, the Shadow also has thick horns and 1-inch pickup spacing. Nobody's perfect!

I haven't yet found a Ric with all my favorite features. A 4001v68 in Azureglo would be just about perfect!

henry5 · Post by **henry5** » Mon Feb 13, 2006 10:36 am

Hey, not offended Jeff! Before I played mine, I'd have agreed with you 100%. Of course just because I like mine it doesn't mean you would, and mine may be atypical anyway (I've only ever played one other and that was about 20 years ago and it wasn't plugged in). It's all a matter of taste at the end of the day. BTW, that Ruby of yours is spectacular, even with the fat horns!

And Ilan, "A 4001v68 in Azureglo would be just about perfect!" - couldn't agree more! That's just about my perfect Rick too...

shamustwin · Post by **shamustwin** » Mon Feb 13, 2006 10:38 am

OK I give up. Why does the single pup 3001 bass have a toggle?

ilan · Post by **ilan** » Mon Feb 13, 2006 1:19 pm

Don't know... but if you can read schematics (I can't) then this is your answer.

rikk · Post by **rikk** » Mon Feb 13, 2006 1:26 pm

"Not trying to be a jerk, Rikk...but what IS a vintage year? This one is an '81. That makes it 25 years old, which means its an antique. The word vintage can mean different things to different people."

Jeff, this is a good discussion. Different views are welcome. It's OK if you disagree. My point is that newer (but used) Ric's sell for MORE than a new one it's not just vintage. A '94 S just sold for $1325. That's what a new 4004L sells for. Yes I know it's an S, but I think the $$ being spent is crazy. As for the '81 being vintage or not, I say not. Do you think my '81 Chevy is vintage. I think not. Is an '81 technically an antique? Maybe. Personally I would consider a '72 and earlier vintage. That is because they have certain vintage features, checker binding, full with inlays, horseshoes (on older ones.) There are a lot of 70/80/90/00's Ric's out there, it's not like they are that rare. A well worn 1974 went for $1051. All in all it amazes me that these bases fetch so much. It does make me feel lucky that I have mine.

john_l · Post by **john_l** » Mon Feb 13, 2006 2:35 pm

It really doesn't matter if you call the '81 S vintage or not. It has a combination of features that is pretty rare: unbound body with Ric-O-Sound, split pickguard, same pickups, tuners, and trussrods (except upside-down)as Seventies 4001's. And the fatter horns aren't ugly, just not quite as attractive as the slender ones.

However, I am guessing if one sold in the States it wouldn't fetch as much.

john_l · Post by **john_l** » Mon Feb 13, 2006 2:37 pm

And I agree:

A 4001v68 in Azureglo would be just about perfect!

jps · Post by **jps** » Mon Feb 13, 2006 4:42 pm

I don't see any toggle switch on that schematic!

bobcat · Post by **bobcat** » Mon Feb 13, 2006 6:12 pm

"no binding, dot neck . . . and a right-side-up headstock."

My favorite features too!!! They need to make a modern 4003S now that they've brought back the walnut wings. I would buy one in mapleglo INSTANTLY, no matter how long the wait, no matter the price (well, okay, no, the price matters, but still . . .).

Seriously though: no binding, dot fretboard, large headstock, walnut wings, modern truss rods, modern pickups . . . I'm SO there if it ever happens.