Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I'm surprised nobody mentioned Desert Gold, which was offered for only one year. I just bought an '01 4003 and I love it. I passed on a couple of MGs and a FG for the DG. You really don't see many of them, which is why I would think it might be a good collectible color.

I would think any color that is old and rare would be good for collectabilty purposes, like a white early 70's 4001, burgandys, azureglos, Autumnglos etc. Fireglo is the most common color especially for 60's basses. A 60's bass in any color but Fireglo that was original would be worth a lot more than a fireglo of the same year.
I think with the newer ones it seems you have to like the color and gold didn't seem to go over too good. When i bought my Sea Green I had no idea it was a COTY I thought it was a refinished custom color as a matter of fact, the sales dope at GC hated it and told me it was an 87 haha! (this was in 2001, it had the original strings on it) I thought: this is in awfully nice shape to be an 87 must have spent it's life in the case. I also bought my 78 Azureglo there and was told it was midnight blue. That was a good day I bought both of them the same day.

Steve I talked some sense into my wife, it's easy: no! or the always fashionable: What are you crazy?? I'll sell you!! hahah!
No actually I get away with it because she knows I sold about 4 nice basses right before we got married including two mint V63's that I had bought brand new and we went up and down Peru on the money. I told her I will sell no more Ric basses.

Bob, it's all subjective, but I think that the 60's Fireglo basses and guitars are the most sought after today. Your right about them being the most common, but it seems in terms of desire it is the "classic" Ric finish and prices seem to reflect that. They have aged so well too over the years that they look very cool and I have finally warmed to it. Orginally I never was too keen on it.

I want a desert gold or sea green 620 or 330

Which are the least desirable colors in respect to resale value?

I think there are four categories here:

More desirable than usual because of rarity (Sea Green, for example)
More desirable than usual because of personal preference (I used to have an Autumnglo 360 and I want another one)
Desirable, but more common than rare (FG, JG, MG)
Not desirable because of taste or personal prejudice (Individual basis, all over the board...)

But there are really no "least desirable" for any other reason. They all have a following...

Do Ed Roman's Kermitglo and Shockingpinkglo Rickenbackers have a following, do you think, Paul? Are they finished in the factory or does Ed get it done himself? I find both not only undesirable but somewhat repulsive!!

I forgot the fifth category. Ed Roman. He's always so...

Well, so special!

Ed has his own finishing operation. Whether those things were done at Santa Ana or in Ed's facility, only JH can tell us fer sure.

My guess? Here's a clue: Las Vegas Glo!!!

Blinglo?

OK, Sir,let's check your card so you can be sure...

You mean that pink Ric bass was real the other day? And I don't know if Seagreen is desirable only because it's rare, everytime I take mine out I get compliments, everybody likes it, musicians and non, I loved it the second I saw it hanging in a line of at least ten Ric basses. I don't think Seagreen is for everybody, but I'm surprised at the number of positive comments I get.

Bob I think the reason it doesn't get as much praise at it maybe should (like turquoise) is because alot of people never seen them in person...

I'm still waiting to see a Fireglo guitar
One day I will!

I like the Monty Brown finish a lot. As well as Mapleglo, and the older Fireglo finishes. I can't wait to see my new C64FG when it comes. Blueburst isn't bad either, but I didn't really like the Blue Boy color.

If I may chime in, some colors I like on some models but not on others.

F'rinstance, I love Desert Gold on a 4003 (I might be the only one) but not on a 360...and I love Mapleglo and Turquoise on both.

Fireglo, Autumnglo and Monte Brown look great on anything, IMHO.

Not crazy about Blue Boy and I just don't like Blueburst at all.

And Sea Green is just damned gorgeous!

* CORRECTION *
I take back what I said about Blueburst...it looks pretty nice on Greg Skinner's 4003 bass. But for some reason, I just don't like it on the 6 and 12 guitars.