Scam, or best ever bargain?

[wints]

It is Christmas guys....

A little festive cheer here possibly....

[rickaddict]

NICE detective work, Marc!!!!

Well, I haven't got around to taking any pics but the bass is real, the deal was real, and it is now safe and sound in my practice room.

At first I thought it might be a scam. Especially when Andy noticed and directed me to a scam on a very similar bass. The scam bass was a '79 4005MG with a serial # SG3860. Mine is a '79 4005MG with serial # SG3850!

The kid that ran the auction was selling it for his uncle who is not an ebay member. But I had phone numbers and addresses for both guys, Paypal was accepted and everything about the guy's story checked out. They were both real nice guys and the uncle did a great job packing the bass.

He had owned it for 25 years. It is 100% original down to the last screw and has never even had a truss rod adjustment. Its not mint...it has a few bumps and bruises, but it'll clean up nice.

[rikk]

Jeff,
I'm glad to hear it all worked out.

[johnallg]

Phenomenal, Jeff! way to hunt out a bargain. Very nice maple!

[rickaddict]

Thanks, guys! It was one of those frantic, "bang on the keyboard" moments: "Hit the BIN!! Wait...I'm not logged in!! Log in really fast, then hit the BIN!!!!!"

Its nice to get lucky once in a while!

I almost bought one just like it from the CME for 5 grand during the waiting period for my 75th DCM 4003. Almost!!! And I had my eye on a Music Man Sterling at the CME at the same time. I thought seriously one day about buying both of them. But then I decided to wait and see how the deal went with my DCM before I would give them any further business. And boy am I glad I did!!

Absolute ********!

Avoid the CME!!

[sloop_john_b]

Well Jeff, if you haven't figured it out already, it'll only be a matter of time before you realize that the "tuna boat" was Rickenbacker's "other" bass for a reason. I'd be happy to take it off your hands for you - and possibly even get you back what you paid for it, with a little luck.



Congrats, dude! Steal of the century.

[86kubicki]

Congrats Jeff! Where are the pics???

[rickaddict]

Well Jeff, if you haven't figured it out already, it'll only be a matter of time before you realize that the "tuna boat" was Rickenbacker's "other" bass for a reason. I'd be happy to take it off your hands for you - and possibly even get you back what you paid for it, with a little luck.

Congrats, dude! Steal of the century.

Thanks, John!!

You liked my "other bass for a reason" quote, huh?

I'm a tool. I can't help it!

I've had three different sets of strings on the 4005 since I got it and have a fourth set planned. The 4005 is a different animal, that's for sure. 25 years with a 4001 and its descendants has made me a sour grape when I play anything else. It's a cool bass, but I think RIC should have put the bridge pickup forward a couple inches...right about where it is on a 4001. The tone would be better and I'd have a place to anchor my thumb.

Not planning on selling it though. I'd like to spend some more time with it. I like the volume when its un-plugged and I like the neck. And as much as I like the look of the Biscuti-Griffiths and the Jeff Scott 4005 WB models, the unbound is definitely the way for me to go.

Sorry no pics, Steve! The pics on the ebay auction are better than I could do now anyway. Next fall or summer I could take some good ones outside, but for now I'm in the deep freeze.

[rickaddict]

Here she is, Steve! (Borrowed photos from ebay auction!)

[berth]

Well, I haven't got around to taking any pics but the bass is real, the deal was real, and it is now safe and sound in my practice room.

Congratulations! I listened to a Stone Roses DVD I bought just to get a good hearing at a 4005 all weekend and I love this sound. RickinRoma had an earlier clip on youtube too which I listened a lot. I'm seriously thinking about what to sell and save some money meanwhile as I really like this sound.

[sloop_john_b]

What strings have you tried, Jeff? Chromes were my favorite.

[rickenbrother]

Congrats Jeff, enjoy it!

[rickaddict]

Congratulations! I listened to a Stone Roses DVD I bought just to get a good hearing at a 4005 all weekend and I love this sound. RickinRoma had an earlier clip on youtube too which I listened a lot. I'm seriously thinking about what to sell and save some money meanwhile as I really like this sound.

Thanks, Bert. Glad to hear you like the 4005's sound. I need to listen to some Stone Roses some time.

Thanks, Joey!

Hopefully I'll get used to my 4005. Its a cool bass.

The one getting most of my attention lately though is the 2030 Glen Frey I picked up in Amsterdam a couple months back. I wish I had pics... Nice comfortable contoured body, nice 80's-4003-like neck, 4001/4003 string-spacing (if you adjust the bridge right), black hardware, JetGlo with Blackstar-like microdot fretboard, Silver back-painted pickguard and TRC, and those chunky-sounding (yet noiseless) RIC humbuckers. Very cool bass. Not very flashy though. No checkers or sparklies. I wonder how many were made

I'm a lucky guy. I don't have everything, but its nice to finally be able to afford a nice collection. I'm not going to keep them all, but for now its good to be able to compare them and play something different when the mood calls for it.

[johnallg]

What strings have you tried, Jeff? Chromes were my favorite.

I second that. I got to play the '74 Burg while it was at the SoCal 2007 conf. and it played and sounded great with the Chromes. I hope yours is as sweet as that baby is. A joy to play.

[rickenbrother]

I second that. I got to play the '74 Burg while it was at the SoCal 2007 conf. and it played and sounded great with the Chromes.

John, you should have tried my '75 4001FL with the Chromes while you were at it.