Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

BlueAngel wrote:But the OP is intending to do the work himself and it doesn't look like it will need a refinish, so the total cost will be one pickguard, one neck pickup, the mute assembly if required and the strap buttons if you're really fussy (I can see a Dunlop in one pic, and personally I do not like these)... which is more like $200-$300 - a totally different ball game, and which definitely makes it economical.

Sorry, can't agree. Time is money. And my time is valuable. And even if the OP is willing to invest the time, there's no guarantee that the effort will result in a playable instrument that the he will want to keep. Then it's "good luck" getting a return on the investment.

Unloading a perfectly good Sting Ray for a decrepit Rick carcass is, IMO, not a good idea. Aaron, if you really want to liquidate the StingRay to buy a Rick, I would suggest doing so and then sitting tight and being patient. Keep your eyes open for a good opportunity. Believe me, the right chance will come and you'll be happy you waited. It might take some time, but it'll be worth it. You can do a lot better than that hulk for what you'll get for your Music Man. Not only that, but you know how things always go in these situations...if you buy the "fixer-upper", you know it will only be a matter of days before the perfect Rick pops up on eBay, here in the Forum, or whereever...and then you'll be kicking yourself for dropping 7 Ben Franklins on the carcass, when you could have had a really nice bass if you'd waited just a little longer.

Food for thought.

Daniel,
Man you hit the nail on the head.. Did you just crawl inside my head and read my mind
I have done a bunch of thinking about this and I believe I have come to a decision. I think I am going to sell my stingray. And with the money earned on that sale I am going to start saving for a newer 4003 Rick. Or maybe even a brand new one. I'd really like a 4003 instead of a 4001. I like to play rounds and I do not want to worry everytime I change the strings if I am going to run into issues with tension and neck problems. I figure if I am going to spend the money on a Rick that I will keep for a very long time and most like pass on to my son when he is older. I should get a good one. Thanks so much for all your suggestions to help me make up my mind about this. Hope to be back in a short while with a new Rick! :>)

ariff wrote:I have done a bunch of thinking about this and I believe I have come to a decision. I think I am going to sell my stingray. And with the money earned on that sale I am going to start saving for a newer 4003 Rick. Or maybe even a brand new one.

I think you are making he best decision here. Maybe you can even hold on to that StingRay until you saved up a bit of money towards a 4003 first.

ariff wrote:Daniel,
Man you hit the nail on the head.. Did you just crawl inside my head and read my mind

Yeah, but next time remind me to bring a flashlight. It was kinda dark in there.

No, but seriously...I think you're making a wise decision. I wouldn't necessarily confine myself to a 4003, however. The 4001V63 and C64 series basses also have dual truss rods, allowing for the use of roundwounds. My V63 came strung from the factory with rounds when I bought her new (although she's now strung with flats cause I was going after the Macca sound). I also prefer the more "toned-down" look of the V63, without the triangle inlays or binding. But if you like the flashier 4003, go for it. Ultimately, the choice is yours. Once you find the right Rick, you'll definitely be in love. Good luck with your search.

I had my say on this bass at the RIC forum, complete with pictures. So anyone who wants a great sounding (after getting a 70s Rick higain for the neck) bass for a player and not as a museum piece should now worry about getting this bass. The plug comes out, the bondo either cleaned up or replaced with a maple plug, a little black paint and overcoat, and you have a great playing and sounding 4001 player.

Yes, this would be a lot of cost to return it to showroom condition (full refin with wood work) which is what everyone here is talking about. Aaron never related this sentiment on the other forum, and not most of this thread.

There are a lot of disappointing, badly-modded old Rick basses out there, and it seems that a minority are worth the time and money to bring back from the dead if looked at from simple economic terms--they have to be really special, and you have to go into the projects with an open mind and realistic expectations.

My first impression upon seeing the photos was, "oh, no, not another one of those...". Then of course I ran the numbers and my usual optimism became pessimism in the cold light of reality.

Bottom line: you could spend a couple of grand, lose a nice Sting Ray, and still have something that you were unhappy to play.

Plan B is best.

Here you go....$800...1998 4003 great shape.
http://panamacity.craigslist.org/msg/864941095.html

I agree totally that getting a newer 4003 instead is a better idea, but I still don't agree at all that this bass is a 'decrepit carcass' or that fixing it would be uneconomical if you do the work yourself and provided you don't mind it not being quite all-original underneath once finished. I do value my time too - in fact, I charge by the hour for repairing guitars and amps, so I do know something about this! - but for my own projects I don't always have to see it in such black and white terms. I will often commit more time - of the after-hours variety, which really doesn't cost anything - than it would be worth with the clock on, to something in order to save actual cash... it's not quite the same thing.

I will stick by what I (and John) said that this is a not very seriously modded, definitely restorable bass that is roughly a fair price and will almost certainly turn out fine with a fairly minimal amount of work, that doesn't require a professional. Of course it would be better if it was cheaper, too. So would anything...

John, I would agree that the pawn shop bass would be worth restoring in the right hands.
However my humble opinion is, for someone who's funds are low and may have little to no experience with working on guitars, he/she shouldn't give up another nice instrument for it.

If you keep your eye out for RIC deals, they will come. You just have to be ready to buy immediately. I got some great deals just by looking at all times even in places where you don't expect. Maybe someone will trade the Stingray for a 4003 even. That's how I got one of my 4003's.

Thanks so much for the help here guys.. I just came to the conclusion that I think I'd be more happy with a "better" bass than this one. It is easy to get all excited about something, but I have to tell myself to just sit back and relax. Something that you really want will turn up. I am somewhat picky about my guitars. And knowing that this bass was not all original or had been modified would always be in the back of my head. I would most likely end up selling it in the long run for one I really wanted. . Anyone around here with a nice 4003 they might want to sell send me a PM. :>) Thanks and by the way this is a great forum..

I'm going the other way...

Finally picked up a pre EB FL last week, after looking for a loooong time, and even better, with a real rare ebony board. This tone of this bass sounds incredible!




Even the neck profile is cool, and I can't put it down at present, which is just as well, as the fret markers have had me back on a serious intonation learning curve!

Nice bass, Andy! I'll bet you get some really nice mwah tones off that ebony fingerboard.

Very nice, Andy! Patrick O'hearn gets a great tone from his.

Thanks Joey, Jeff...

It certainly does impress. The furniture has been shaking here this afternoon, and not from a Florida thunderstorm!

Now...Back to your regular program!