Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I think the mapleglo was actually a natural finish.

I love my 3001, but I'll be damned if I'd pay a grand for it.

Uh, I mean: 1978 3001 for sale - Walnut. $1700.00
Email me if you're interested.

De-lurking to defend my purchase . . .

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, guys. Moreover, some famous economist said it best when he said "a person’s willingness to bear costs is situation-specific: the marginal value of a cup of water is very low to those who can quickly obtain it with the turn of a faucet; it’s value is high to someone dying of thirst in a desert."

You gotta admit -- there aren't that many 3001's floating around these days. And, when you've got a fireglo 330 and have been searching the desert high and low for years for it's bass companion, you don't mind shelling out a grand for the beauty.

Love the boards guys. Very informative. Looking forward to participating more frequently.

All the best.

Hi John and welcome. There is no need to defend anything. You like Ricks. That is good enough for most people around here. Please post some pictures when you get it. The truth is that I paid over the accepted market price for a bass or two in my time because I just had to have it. I got to know the 3000 series back in the 70's when they were still in production. They just have not become collectables in my mind yet. Thats all. It might be time to update my thinking.

Welcome, John! And that IS a fantastic bass! You just MAY have started something here....

Welcome John.....your defense is not necessary. I have certainly paid too much for things that I "must have". It only matters that it is worth it to you....and it certainly sounds as though it is. Enjoy !

Talk about "overpaying".....I WAY overpaid for my first 4005, because I "had to have it" , I wouldn't change a thing, but now it seems like they are flowing like water.....

I don't even want to get into what my '63 cost me. My wife brings it up once in a while when she want to remind me of my own frivolous behaviors.

Buying should be a rational buisness, but as we all know it doesn't always work that way...
E bay,s prices are a rising barometer because it combines sellers and buyers so well. When you add in the factor of bidding against someone for something you really desire another completely different logic comes into play. To quote the guys in the Guiness advert..."Brilliant"!

Where Rics are concerned, it seems E bay has become far more a sellers market. Items are making close to dealer prices and sometimes higher and as long as people have the $$$ and are prepared to pay for what they want that's just the way it should be.
There are virtually no secrets on the bay anymore either unless there,s a early listing with a BIN you happen to come across. Chances are you'll have to duke it out with the world watching and that is going to cost you more....
It isn,t perfect, but without it our lives would probably be a little more mundane. Where else are you going to find that elusive bass or rare part that you have wanted or needed forever....

Ted....it's all good....

I've bought and sold quite a few instruments over the last 2 years.....and made a few bucks on each one....with each little bit of profit I make helps lessen the "sting" of my 4005 purchases....

...an occassional piece of jewelry doesn't hurt either....

Ted - I'd like to catch up with you when I am in Chicago next month! You, Chris and I know what it's like to buy basses that WE KNOW we overpaid for, but don't give a damn.

Wints - Words well spoken, my friend!

I would also love to see pix of the 3001 FG, John. If original color, it would be the first I've ever seen.

John, no need to defend anything!
I'm glad that those basses are starting to get the respect they deserve. I love mine.
You'll enjoy it...
Welcome to the forum, glad to have another 3001 player onboard!

Thanks everybody.

Anyone know where I might be able to get a hard shell case for it?

I got my '76 3001 because I was doing (and still am) a decent number of outdoor gigs and didn't want to subject my beautiful '00 4004 CII to the elements. I figured the 3001 was the SUV of Rickenbackers (the 4004 being the Porsche). I've gotta say that is one ROCKIN' bass! I'm not sure which one I like better. The tone is Hugh and Clear and it plays wonderfully (I prefer the 3001 neck to the 4004). I got mine last April of the 'Bay for $600 straight up.

As some have mentioned in the past, it is as heavy as a boat anchor, but the tone is just phenomenal. Probably one of the best playing/sounding basses I've ever owned.

Spamegg: Due you think that the tonality of which you speak "huge and clear" is due to the heaviness of this instrument?