What should I pay for a late 60's 4001?

rickcrazy · Post by **rickcrazy** » Wed Jan 19, 2005 3:25 am

I believe that's an aluminum mount plate. Look closer. It's the pickup bobbin that's black.

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Wed Jan 19, 2005 5:35 am

Sergio, I am looking down in the cavity where you can see the height screw and spring pretty clearly, nearest the pickguard---and the screw looks as though it is going into a piece that is black, rather than aluminum. That is what I'm basing my previous post on concerning the originality of the HS pickup..

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Wed Jan 19, 2005 8:49 am

The reissue horseshoes have big giant pole pieces, they don't have screws like this one does. The bobbin looks in awfully good shape to be an original 60's horseshoe though.
I can't see the plate I don't know how you guys can, all I see is the bobbin.

rickcrazy · Post by **rickcrazy** » Wed Jan 19, 2005 9:09 am

Through the slot between the E & A string horseshoe and the portion of the surround with the height screw. Can you see it now? That's a definite aluminum mount plate in there.
As for the screw polepieces and black bobbin, I believe they came on 4001 basses made in the second half of the '60s. I could be wrong.

henry5 · Post by **henry5** » Wed Jan 19, 2005 9:13 am

Certainly doesn't look like a V63 Reissue p/up to me...

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Wed Jan 19, 2005 9:32 am

Sergio, yes I see what you are referring to, it's bright in the spot you refer to. We may just have to wait and see what Ron finds out additionally.

Could be an original that has been restored/refurbished....we'll see...

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Wed Jan 19, 2005 10:04 am

Looks shiny above the G string in there also. Yeah, that looks like aluminum.

ratso · Post by **ratso** » Wed Jan 19, 2005 10:33 am

The horseshoe is not an original restoration but an aftermarket (non-Rick) pickup if I recall. Unfortunately, owner is away on business till Monday for confirmation. All else is original but output jack replacement. Owner wants a premium for it saying they go typically for 4-6 grand! What do you feel I should pay tops? Thanks

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Wed Jan 19, 2005 10:54 am

Get a copy of the Vintage guitar and show him, tops for a 68 maplglo 4001 in excellent all original condition is $3800.00. Having a non-Ric horseshoe would diminish it's worth considerably I would think and Fireglo was much more common back then. I'd give him $2500.00, tops.

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Wed Jan 19, 2005 11:05 am

Ron wrote:

"Owner wants a premium for it saying they go typically for 4-6 grand!..."

Yes, typically when they are all original. Ron, I agree with the others--not having an original horseshoe is a big apology. Granted it's a clean example, but the $4K-$6K figure is usually for unaltered examples. The top in this bass should be between $3K-$4K. Good Luck!

ken_swearingen · Post by **ken_swearingen** » Thu Jan 20, 2005 7:28 am

also ron does the replaced jack plate have a #on it how do you date this bass[only a collector is going to pay 4-6k but not without a sereal #]without that # its not worth much to a collector]so whats is it worth to you if its not an investment in other words as a player.

wints · Post by **wints** » Thu Jan 20, 2005 8:28 am

That,s a nice bass and I think if you get it for under $4K your doing well Ron. Kendall,s old 68 which had been refinished very nicely in B/G went for around $3.5K and if you can find another one it would probably be in a dealers windows and you,ll be looking at least $5-6K.
The 60,s basses are becoming very hard to find and there are very few bargains left. A 68 bare body sold for $1200 on E bay last year.
I do know of a 68 M/G that was in Atlanta for $4K but that too had a non original treble p/u. E mail me if you would be interested in that one Ron...

ratso · Post by **ratso** » Thu Jan 20, 2005 12:28 pm

Bob, What is low end in VG price guide?
Ken, Serial # code "HB", I'm looking at this as a player and an investment where I can easily get my money, and hopefully a return on it, if I choose to sell it down the road (or if my wife has to turn it when I turn over lol)! So, essentially I'm just trying to make sure I don't pay any kind of a premium for it!
Andrew, thanks for the offer I will probably try to work this one or my other offer out before I contact you for the Atlanta connection.
Everyone, Thanks for your price opinions, I welcome any others. The more info and opinions I have the better.

wints · Post by **wints** » Thu Jan 20, 2005 1:48 pm

Ron, I think the VG guide can only be loosely interpreted at present for Ric basses. The prices of these have gone up well over in a year what VG had originally quoted and even though it,s more accurate this year they are still struggling to keep up. Even the early 70,s basses with the C/B and toaster which are mass produced in comparison to the 60,s are fetching $2K at present.

If you can get it for below $4K more power to you, but anything around that is a fair price imo. You,ll pay close to that for a CS which is one of a thousand, when they probably only made half that total for ALL the 60,s 4001 basses, and many of them have warped away. You just don,t see very many for sale.

Like Jeff,s old 68, examples are changing hands behind the scenes as collectors (and a few players) begin to appreciate these rare basses.
I believe that both Mike Guiterrez and Phil Harris bought very good examples of 60,s 4001 basses in the last year or so from major dealers so maybe they would care to share their perspective about this one.

ratso · Post by **ratso** » Thu Jan 20, 2005 5:31 pm

Thanks Wints. Can you tell me how to locate Mike or Phil? I tried to figure out how to search member profiles for email address but couldn't figure it out. Thanks