Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

A really nice original 68 M/G sold for $1800 a couple of weeks ago Ron. I,d be tempted at around that price for a finish as rare as this and in this condition if it could be proved original.
To my eyes it looks like midnight blue rather than the flatter A/G of the 70,s...
What say the expert eyes of the blue boys here?

Weeeell, he says the finish is original...still pricey and maybe it's my screen but I can't quite convince myself (yet) that it hasn't had a refin. Also, some evidence of dinging around the upper body?

Phil, I can,t see anything wrong with it...and that,s the problem!! There,s barely a flaw in that finish to my eyes and everything else checks out as original.
It just looks like new. The cavity paint looks the same as the exterior, when you,d expect a faded outer surface and you can see the paint on the rods. Does anyone else have this on a factory finish?

Man, that's one delightful 4000. '72 S body with baby headstock, what a beaut! *uggh, i love 72's*

Somebody must be thinking of going for it!

"I have seen factory finishes where tape had been used to cover the cavity graffiti. That is not at all unusual with opaque finishes."

Yep. Oh, and personally? I don't think it's a refin, guys. If it is, it's a damned good one!

Ken - highly unlikely this 4000 would have Walnut headstock wings.

It has the typical 1972-onwards skunkstripe, for one.



I believe the first non-Maple headwings on the baby headstock was the 4002, right guys? *shrugs*

So it's what, about £12-1300? I suppose it's not that outrageous. If it goes, it goes, but I'm going to think on it some more. That BIN button looks very tempting. I have to factor in the "wife wrath" effect though. This is supposed to be a "furniture" month.

Andrew, sorry I didn't get to reply earlier (had to sign off as I was going out unfortunately) but yes, I've seen a 73 jetglo in London for £1100, nowhere near as nice as this. I love 72s, I love azure, its a neck through and although its difficult to tell from the pics I think it probably is original. It looks very similar to how my old azure 4001 looked on photos (they do vary a little), and it looks like there are slight wear marks. To be honest though, I don't really care! It looks as cool to me as a bass can look. I just wish I had the available cash! It IS a pain about all the cool stuff coming up at once. If the sale on my 4000 goes through the money is spoken for, so I can't even use that as an excuse. Somebody make me a decent offer on my V63, please!!!! Honestly, if he took Paypal I would've bought it by now, refin or no. And yes Andrew, I would've thought Mr Mole would've been all over it too....

Life is tough sometimes...especially when you've got a bad case of RAS. And Phil, the "wife wrath" (or in my case "girlfriend wrath") would be a thing I would NOT want to be on the receiving end of...

lets see when was the last time anyone has seen a skunk sripe 4000[a skunk stripe without a binding]boy i think in any color this thing is extreamly rare...[ive never seen a skunk stripe neck thrubody 4000 only set neck and older walnut winged.has anyone else?

Nope!

Sure no-one wants a V63 mapleglo? Call it £900? I should be able to sort out pics tomorrow...(if somebody doesn't buy this 4000 soon either I'm going to have a nervous breakdown or I'm going to end up buying it and get kicked out by my girlfriend....)

Looking closely at the chrome there,s some pitting and scuffing on the bridge and handrest. So, you think it,s been used a bit, in which case the paint seems all the more remarkable to be to my eyes practically blemish free.
Nothing around the headstock, jackplate (with the old slotted screws from the 60,s basses) or around the top of the pickguard where playing time would have occured.
Either the owner took real good care every time he played the bass or I,ve become a total cynic...

I'm sure I can see slight marks in the paint; it looks like there's something towards the top horn and towards the neck volute, although its not very clear. Even so pictures don't always tell the whole story; my 4000 looks virtually mint on every photo I've taken and it isn't! Admittedly the jetglo is the main culprit, but many of the darker finishes are difficult to get real detail on, and pretty much all instruments with any wear will look worse in real life than on photos. I guess until one of us sees the instrument in the flesh it's probably going to be nigh on impossible to say for definite(and even then it could be difficult; depends when it was refinished and how well). Shame we don't have details of whether any azure 4000s were produced in 72...still, as I already said, it doesn't really bother me. It may be a lot of money for a US buyer for a refin but I don't personally feel its that much for a UK one; I'd still buy it anyway if I could. I'd sooner have paid a grand for that than for my V63, even though my V63 is all original AND mint.

"I'd sooner have paid a grand for that than for my V63, even though my V63 is all original AND mint."

I wish I only paid a grand for my v63. I love how Ric values skyrocket once Rickenbacker stops production of a model. Maybe I should get my c64 now while I can ;^).

Ron, I know how you feel! Bear in mind that's £1000 UK though ($2000), which is still cheaper than I ever saw a new V63 in the UK. You watch, I'll probably get rid of it and then the prices will go through the roof. The same thing happened with my original 4001CS. I ordered that for £999 new in 1995 (received Feb 96), did my back in in June 96 and sold it the next year (I think) for £800 ($1600?). Just think what I'd have got for that now....

Shaun...It,s sounding like you need to sell whatever to get this bass!
Your right about the dark colours hiding imperfections. That thing looks so good though.
My 73 FL has some slight markings on the cover too, but the finish is perfect looking when you photograph the bass. It is possible to have them looking that good with wear in other places.
We need to ask the guy about some history. How long has he had it and before him etc...
If it is original, it has to be literally a one off in this colour imo...