Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Joey wrote:
"I have to agree with you Scott, the music stores that are selling the 4004LK are really gouging the buyers, as are the people reselling the CS."

Yeah, agree with you Joey but even more so the CS basses are WAY over inflated. With a production run of 60 I can kind of see why the LK's are so high, but there was, what, 1000 CS's made? That's insane. Having never played a CS, though, maybe my opinion is unfounded, if they in fact are that good. Personally I would rather spring for a C64 in fireglo (actually I am starting up school again and I asked the wife if I cold get a C64 should I make it thru a few years...so I have a reason to stay in school!!)

That all being said the LK is a very nice bass- do you think Jeff Rath would make a 4004LK 4-2-5 if he had one? It *could* be a one of a kind?

The carvings on the 4004Ci were going to be a skull and bones theme as opposed to leaves and vines. The cost and time involved helped change my mind.....for now.

Gary ... my band play modern Rock ... 3 doors down, Green Day, Staind, and some classic Rock ... this will be our last show with the current lineup ... we have good players but some of them are not easy to get along with ...

I would think that turning a Lemmy into a 5 string would reduce its value ... unless Lemmy did the same to his ...

I agree, the 4004LK & CS are WAY overpriced.

solution?

don't buy 'em...

Hi Jared, I wonder, are they overpriced? How does one determine the value of an instrument or how much he is willing to pay? I would think Rickenbacker would be out of business if many of us were solely concerned with price. It seems an instrument is as much an emotional purchase as it is financial.

There appears to be something about the LK and CS that strikes an emotional, as well as functional, chord in enough people that there is a healthy competition for them. I think that is what drives the prices up, for some reason people want them and the price reflects this desire.

Are they worth the money? Not to all. As I understand the CS was tough to sell when released, what happened? I do not get the vintage P Bass thing. They make the LK and CS look like a bargain. People pay serious cash for a pre CBS Fender. I think they are cool, but if $1000 could buy one I use the money on a 4003.

Sorry about all the wind. I guess I'm wondering if they were indeed overpriced, why are the darn things selling so fast? I'd like one of each and am considering a life of crime to get them.

I compared my V63 to a CS and I didn't think the cosmetic difference was worth the doubling in price.

the base price on the LK was not overpriced, not in the least.

That is one of the many things I like about Rickenbacker Inc.......the new prices have a base in reality. The 4004LK was street priced at $1800 if you placed your order when announced. A 4003 at the time was around $1000 and a 4004Cii would have been $1350-ish (guess) so the LK was at a premium due to the checkerboard binding, carving, star inlays, 3rd p/u and vintage style TRC.....plus it was a limited signature edition. So the $500-$800 premium is very reasonable......

......now imagine what Fender or Gibson would sell a similarly adorned issue for new. Nowhere near as reasonable and likely close to what LK's are going for used.

J.Gary......I wouldn't worry so much about the opinion of others on this matter. If you were talking about paying $2K for a new 2005 JetGlo 4003 we could give you advice and say that it is way too much and that you should be able to get one for $1K. For the LK it is a totally different story. I certainly wouldn't pay a premium for a 4001CS (except to resell of course) but I would for an LK. It all depends on what your tastes are and what your disposable income is at the moment.

$7500-$8000 seems to me to be the magic selling price that would move one pretty quick (I have a few standing offers in that range from fellow Forumites). Much more than that and the market drops off sharply. There hasn't been enough selling to get a true feeling......those willing to pay $10K may have already gotten their's.

I don't think "overpriced" can necessarily apply since the market/availability is so small. In the desert a bottle of water would be a bargain at $5000.

Sean....the Lemmy show is on VH-1 Classic again on 12/31 at 3:30 A.M. (EST) Thanks TiVo!

i haven't had cable since 1999.

.....unabomber......

Brian, is he using the LK on the special? What CD would you recommend to hear Lemmy at his best?

DOH!!!!! Just got the bomber joke! That's funny! Better be very nice to Mr. Weingartner.

Wanna hear Lem at his best? Another Perfect Day (technically their best LP imho), Bomber, Rock 'n' Roll.