Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Back in December when there was a "badly wanted 73"
on the bay, We Buy Guitars, the seller, told me that they had sold a 63 for
$13,000!
There is a certain member of SAG who I think might be responsible.....

Personally, I'm the idiot who threw 6K at a very discussed
69, I'm damn glad to have it tho-
Kinda like the last gal at the bar, but I don't have to chew my arm off in the morning....

If it can be believed, the highest price I've ever seen for a 4001 was for the 'NOS' 1964 that was found in an old store inventory last fall, and it allegedly went for $25K. Not four years ago, there was a 1963 4001 that sold for $3750 and change on ebay....that won't happen again, LOL....

Andy's right, watch out on the 1973 or earlier 4001s, ones with the 'vintage' features...they are gaining ground fast.

I'm kicking myself for not going after the 73 last week...
Seeing who the winner was tho, makes me think it could
have gone silly....

for my money I have zero interest in old basses with weak necks and weak pickups ... I sold all of my old 60s and 70s instruments ...

I hear that my '63 was the one that sold on Ebay. Unfortunately, I paid a bit more than $3750 for it.

Right now is the time to stock up on early 70's Rics. They are the only vintage Rics with an "old" feature (half-inch spacing) that are still reasonably priced.

I had the same feeling right before early 70's Fenders ("TV logo" era) went through the roof. Luckily I bought a few clean ones when they were under $800. I should have bought a few Strats as well.

for my money I have zero interest in old basses with weak necks and weak pickups ... I sold all of my old 60s and 70s instruments ...

To each his own, Jeff. I'm sorry your interest has waned in vintage Rickenbacker basses. I for one(among many others) still think they are quite legitimate instruments to use and learn about, and I have no issues with their construction.

It is a viewpoint after all---while some may find a need for a bass with five strings, there are others who see no need for them whatsoever. all the same, have fun promoting their virtues and good luck with the 4-2-5s.

I love the sound and feel of my '63. It is plenty loud and it has a great thin neck. Most people who try it are surprised by how well that old horseshoe can still growl. I am not a retro-nut but I appreciate the older stuff. It is not unusual for my '02 5er and my '63 to be next to each other in the stand. There is plenty of room for both. Would I gig with the '63? Probably not but I certainly would record with it.

The new Rickenbacker basses sound far better than they play. The vintage stuff, especially the 60's basses, play far better than they sound!
Both are still valid in their individual context as practical instruments.

You pay your money and take your choice...

To each his own

Indeed, I too, am sitting over in Jeff's camp. Although I appreciate the older "vintage" basses, I would never own any again. The 3 that I own now are all 5 strings. It's a personal thing.
As a side note, over on the RIC forum, there seems to be some good news for the Horsey fans coming shortly, and JH stated that he in fact has the "upgrade" to the 4004CII/5 pickup situation. Still seems unmotivated to produce them though.

I love vintage Rics....I still miss my early '73 that I sold. I would love to have a few in my collection but I only keep what I use on a regular basis and right now I get my best tone out of 4004's so it would be somewhat silly of me to have any 4001's/4003's.

I've pretty much given up on Ric making a 5 string anytime soon. It's not all bad since it gives me a legitimate excuse to have an extra Ric with alternate tuning.

(quick slap to forehead) DOH!!!!!!!!
I should have thought of restringing one of mine with a 5 string set minus the G string.
Still not the same thing as a proper 5 string, and when I use my 5'er I use all 5 strings.
Also more opportunities to make mistakes through lack of concentration (usually due to proximity female audience members).

I still can't understand why someone would pay more for a 70s 4001 than the list price of a 4003 ... ok ... I understand the checkered binding and thinner neck of a 71, 72 and early 73 ... but I had a fall 73 and a fall 74 4001 ... both were nice basses ... but the only difference with them and a late 70s bass is the pickguard ... so why pay over $1100 for a 30 year old bass with fretware, yellowing, dings, and a neck that an improper truss rod adjustment will pop the fretboard ... remember these are the same basses that are stressed beyond their design specs by simply putting on a set of rotosound strings!!!

For me I will take an 86 or later 4003 ... and actually I prefer 1990 and later ... and now the 4003 comes with walnut headwings and the vintage tone citcuit ... the ONLY thing missing is checkered binding ... and if you want that bad enough then have it installed ...

So Jeff, you won't really be wanting that Pickguardian 1/2" space pickguard you outbid me on then...

But Jeff, isn't there a collectibility and rarity factor involved too? I've heard you say time and time again that old Ricks don't interest you, that they have weak necks and pickups, etc., but you can't deny that they're great for someone who wants a cool old collectible bass with features that you simply can't get anymore.

I've got a '99 4003 and a 4001c64, and those two basses cover all the tones I ever need. The only way i'd ever buy another Rick bass is if it were a pre-'73 4001 or a 4005, just because they'ed be something new to add to the visual and tonal pallette. Lord knows I don't need five 4003's.