Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

At that price I would start to want to know what is going on under the tailpiece, pickguard and TRC.

Wouldn't take that much work to restore it, just send it to Paul . The only work there is taking it to UPS

At 750 euro I would take a trip to Holland to pick it up, at 1800 euro now he/she's gotta ship! Seriously, that's about $2500 US...then I would think besides the refin, that chrome gotta be cleaned and good possibility it needs frets. Better look under the hood for routing too.I can see there was a bridge replacement, and return of the original but, looks like nasty work. You'd also need a new pickguard...I see the tug bar holes, but it looks like a top tug( ) was on at one point.

kiramdear wrote:

jingle_jangle wrote:For sale in a butcher's shop?

Paul, are you saying it's not worth top euro?

It's one of those basses that has had massive abuse by people who know little or nothing about the mechanics or modifications of instruments, not to mention craftsmanship. That it's even survived is a tribute to its integrity, but stuff like this always makes me wonder about those three or four chromosomes that separate humans from chimpanzees, and which variety the perp carried.

Look at the tailpiece area--circular saw kerfs and chisel marks. True pride of ownership there.

jingle_jangle wrote: Look at the tailpiece area--circular saw kerfs and chisel marks. True pride of ownership there.

Yeah, at least claim it was owned by the Plasmatics. People might believe that ..ok chainsaw, circular saw..either way, the thing was butchered..just needs a loving home.

More pictures.

FretlessOnly wrote:... TRC probably replaced as it doesn't say "Model 4001" on it. ...

In the close-up at the auction site, one can see that it's the original (slightly cracked) plexi TRC.

wints wrote:... The board is probably just a real dark rosewood. It may have lost the lacquer...

I think you are right ... the sparkle inlays don't have their normal yellowed look, so the clear coat has most likely been removed in the past. Also, in the pictures the fretboard lacks a shiny reflection, but it might just be the camera angle.

I agree that, if the bass were cheap enough, it might be worth it, but based on what we've seen in the past, a dark refinish could be hiding a world of trouble (see this thread: viewtopic.php?f=17&t=388054 for my own personal experience ... and read both pages, as others noticed and commented on 'features' in the photos I took that I did not notice when I looked at it in person).

marc61 wrote:

jingle_jangle wrote: Look at the tailpiece area--circular saw kerfs and chisel marks. True pride of ownership there.

Yeah, at least claim it was owned by the Plasmatics. People might believe that ..ok chainsaw, circular saw..either way, the thing was butchered..just needs a loving home.

Wendy O Williams, wow, too bad she could never make a comeback. The Plasmatics were one crazy band, and she was one hell of a stuntwoman. RIP

Seems like a lot of cash for an instrument that would cost you a very signifigant amount of money to restore. If you played it and found it to be your soulmate, that's one thing. If you are looking for an investment, or something to flip, I would pass. Either way, I would not make any binding decision untill you are able to physically see and play this instrument. It may be the Holy Grail, or a canoe paddle, but you'll never know by pictures and descriptions.

whojamfan wrote:... I would not make any binding decision ...

Nice unintentional pun!

Hmm. I like it, potentially (I can live with plenty of wear, particularly given the places I get to play). What is actually plays and sounds like is another matter, but if it felt ok....

FWIW Rick prices in the UK have gone through the roof. I've seen new 4003s advertised at £1999. Peter Cook's Guitar World, the cheapest supplier I've seen in the UK, is selling them at £1599. Generic late '70s Ricks are going for the same. So 1800 euros for a '69 (even in that condition) wouldn't be a bad buy at all by our standards, assuming it's structurally sound. If I had the cash I'd probably buy it, although I have to admit whoever did the chiselling etc wants hitting with a heavy object for a long period of time.

henry5 wrote:FWIW Rick prices in the UK have gone through the roof. I've seen new 4003s advertised at £1999. Peter Cook's Guitar World, the cheapest supplier I've seen in the UK, is selling them at £1599. Generic late '70s Ricks are going for the same.

Funny, as late 4001's go for less than 1400 euro over here. But the newer instruments we buy in England as your pound is pretty weak compared to the Euro.

Weak Pound + high Import taxes + extra distribution costs + high demand & low availability = Much higher end user prices in the UK than possibly anywhere else on Earth.

It's a real shame what happened to that tailpiece.

Nice bass - but it appears to have been routed for a BA1 tailpiece at some time.... I hate that mod!!!!

Cool old Mojo bass.

What could possibly be gained by grinding the tailpiece away like that?

leftyguitars wrote:Weak Pound + high Import taxes + extra distribution costs + high demand & low availability = Much higher end user prices in the UK than possibly anywhere else on Earth.

You should buy your second hand Ricks in Holland. (not that there are many now, but once there is one it wont score very high in price.) No taxes! Not too much transportation costs.