Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hey Guys!
That bass is not for me! It is MG
I need FG and meanwhile I optioned for the pre-'73-21-fretter-conversion from Paul W. of my existing 1974 4001FG which has such a nice wood grain, that it deserves all the goodies. After investing the same amount for the conversion I will have a new bass instead of buying a collectors item, because I need to play it without any repair for the next 20 years (at least, I hope, with the blessing of the LORD). So you all go ahead and spend some more on the bay. I simply do not have the cash for these races.
No envy though!

Jeff, Elys et al...looks like it's all yours......

Hmmmmmm...what to bid...

Bid to win, Jeff!!!

I typically look at:

(1) what I think it should go for
(2) the most that others should think it should go for
(3) the maximum that I would overpay to be sure to get it

By that simple lunacy, this one would be:

(1) $5000
(2) $7000
(3) $8000

So, pick a number! Going into the last 5 seconds of this auction, if I was determined to buy and win it (which I am not - I have too many 4001 basses in the 1971 to 1972 range right now), I would bid $8000 and let the chips fall where they may... and strictly going by its current level I think it would be likely that you would get it for the $4500 to $5500 range. If, however, bidding escalates in the last couple of days, it might cost you $6000. Very little chance of it going much higher than that, and no way $8000+ unless one or more other folks crazier than me get into a grudge match p#%sing contest over it....

So if two prospective owners follow that advice the one who bids $8,000 a half a second earlier than the other wins it, for $8,000!

There is always a risk in any auction.

On the Jan 1970 21-fretter, due to its amazing condition, my max bid 3 seconds from the end was $10001.11 because of just that phenomenon. The lesson is always try to outthink a simpleton who puts down an even dollar amount

I was just fortunate that the next lowest bidder decided not to risk more than $7000 themselves...

Similar situations occurred when I bid against Vince Gallo to win the 1968 4001 bass in Frankfurt Germany, and when I bid to win Vince's 1963 bass the next month.

Right, I think I've got it... If I bid $8001.11 it should be mine...

Quote - "I have too many 4001 basses in the 1971 to 1972 range right now"

Elys, have you ever seen a grown man cry?

Har! No, bid more than the highest you have ever posted in public

Of course IMHO this bass is not really worth anywhere near $8000 at this time of year, particularly since we haven't seen closeup the level of corrosion from moisture underneath the pickguard, or really good and clear photos of the undusty finish and tuners, etc.

But Shaun, none of them are in as good a shape as your project bass will be, after Paul the Masterbuilder gets through with it You'll have a beauty!!

I'm sure you're right Elys, but even so.......!!!!!

2 hrs to go. Popcorn in the oven....

An hour and twenty minutes to go and it is on its way through the $3840 mark. I am sure it will not sail up anywhere near the almost-$9000 of yesterday's late-71 FG, but it will not end cheap, either

I have had a few emails asking if I was bidding on this one. Despite its really good condition, I am partial only to 4001 models that are 1972 and earlier without the shedua stripe, so no I am not planning to bid on this one.

So, good luck to those of you who are, and I'm cheering you on (Jeff, good luck to you especially )

"I am partial only to 4001 models that are 1972 and earlier without the shedua stripe, so no I am not"

At the risk of asking a seriously ignorant question Elys...why is this?

Oh, no , that's a good question! Because my original March 1971 4001 21-fretter had no stripe. That is the only reason.

In fact, this Nov 72 4001 has the same highly-desirable classic features as your 71: the fine checkerboard body binding, the tugbar, and the incomparable full-width sparkley inlays.

Actually, having glue laminations in the neck strengthens and stiffens the neck, so structurally it is much better to have them than not. That is part of the reason why Electro made that change.

Another change to stiffen the neck was to do away with full-width triangular inlays, and replace them with partial-width. That is why I rarely buy anything made after mid-73. Later in the 70s, the necks got rather thick and uncomfortable, until the 80s. After mid-80 or so, the necks got thinner again. So I buy from the mid-80s on too.

That's why! Its the old "recapture the lost youth" thing, and I buy what feels like the thin-neck Rick I got used to back in 1971