Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

That looks pretty sweet to me. I'll wait for someone more qualified than me to chime in on the body separation, but this looks like it'd be a fun restoration project. You could get it refinished at the same time as fixing the separation (if it needs to be fixed) -- or rock it as is. I'm always a little suspicious of basses that look like they've never been played.

Don't know about the machines, but the electronics and the bridge pickup are original. The tailpiece is indeed an Allparts. Nice bass worth having.

Well I'm definitely not interested in having it refinished... it's a 40 year old instrument.. it's supposed to be checked and look as if it's been played. If I wanted a new Ric I would just buy one, haha. (and my 1973 4001 has very little wear on it anyways...) Not to mention the severe drop in value as soon as I refinish it.

The consensus seems to be that a new bridge will be $1000ish if one pops up on Ebay, and I essentially have an era complete '68 ric. I really hope I can nab that original pickguard.... even if it is a little nasty.

Now that you've all seen it... can anyone give an approximate value in a collector's market? How about what it would realistically fetch on ebay in current condition? I don't own the instrument (as of yet) so I'm not really sure what a fair offer is on it to even buy it...

Zentner wrote:Well I'm definitely not interested in having it refinished... it's a 40 year old instrument.. it's supposed to be checked and look as if it's been played. If I wanted a new Ric I would just buy one, haha. (and my 1973 4001 has very little wear on it anyways...) Not to mention the severe drop in value as soon as I refinish it...

...once the upper bodywing completely separated from the neck, the value might drop a little...

Kevin,

She's sweet, and your right, you can't touch that finish. This bass is very close to my Dec 68, HL 1764.


The tuners don't appear completely original. They should have slotted screws parts, not Phillips, but the tuning shafts themselves look original. I can't see any dates on the pots? Do they have any? They usually do from this period. A couple of wires there are not cloth, and may too be replacements. Does the fretboard still have lacquer? The case is probably not original. My 68 has it's original, and it has a burnt orange interior.

Overall, a great bass. They are fantastic to play. Personally, I'd leave all finishes issues as is. The crack is the biggest I've seen from this period, but if it's not a structural issue, I'd leave it. I saw a 69 a while back on eBay that had the same, smaller issue. It's very hard to put a value on these, but that is probably around $6-7K in my humble...

The pick guard might not be original eiter...?

heinpete wrote:The pick guard might not be original eiter...?

Kevin mentioned that Pete.

Thanks for all your replies. The bass will be mine soon!

The owner has the Original pickguard, and MIGHT have the original (broken) bridge laying around, but he doubts it. If not, I think I'll be bridge hunting, haha! (though the allparts will have to do for the meantime.)

Anyone elses thoughts on value for this instrument? What it might fetch on Ebay if I were to sell in the future? I completely understand that it's all subjective, and thanks for all your opinions!

Kevin

Zentner wrote:Anyone elses thoughts on value for this instrument?

Kevin

Sorry to be a fly in the ointment but I dont think that bass is worth a damn.

I would buy a new one or something 5-8 years old that was taken care of like it was a baby.

Just my 2cents

ricnbacker wrote:

Zentner wrote:Anyone elses thoughts on value for this instrument?

Kevin

Sorry to be a fly in the ointment but I dont think that bass is worth a damn.

I would buy a new one or something 5-8 years old that was taken care of like it was a baby.

Just my 2cents

Good thing! One less shark in the tank....

They aren't making any more '68's!

It might be a good investment for your retirement... I personally do not collect for investment (buying - selling), neither my budget nor my attitude would allow that, sorry I still admire a well kept collection!

Here is a pic of the 68 I bought from 12th Fret recently. Serial HL1751, only 13 earlier
than the one in this thread.

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v507/ ... 1n1751.jpg

Three basses within 13 numbers. That's pretty cool, considering the low volume produced for this period, and the potential survival rate of these basses.

audiorep2 wrote:Here is a pic of the 68 I bought from 12th Fret recently. Serial HL1751, only 13 earlier
than the one in this thread.

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v507/ ... 1n1751.jpg

Stuart, that's quite a beauty!