Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

It has a loved look and to me that is way more special than a shiny new refin . Dont do it ..

It's fine the way it is.

Another vote for keeping it as is from another '72 owner.
Congrats on your new baby!

FWIW My Jan '72 has the same combo - walnut wings with no stripe... and another vote here for leaving it as is!

I have a Feb '71 model that doesn't look as good as yours does, I'd say don't refinish it. It will drop its resale value by at least half as well. I know you wouldn't want to sell it, but I'm talking about a major catastropy.

Oh, Jeez, not again...

Gene, refinishing a Rick bass most definitely will not "drop its resale value by at least half", unless it is refinished by a monkey with a spray can and chicken-greasy fingers.

Sounds like you've been subscribing to the type of BS that non-Rick-specialist vintage dealers like to get behind so they play with the numbers and not have to worry about actually knowing their products.

While this may be true of Fenders and Gretsches and Gibbies (and then only if you believe it's true), it does not hold up with professionally-refinished Rickenbackers done to a factory standard. Ricks are specialist instruments, every Rick deal done between two enthusiasts is a special case, and to equate this with the way biz is done with overvalued, mojo-encrusted old Strats and LPs is to shortchange Ricks and their owners, not to mention professional Rick-factory-standard refinishers such as myself and Dale Fortune.

Major "catastrophy" (sp)? Ummm...I have yet to have one of my refinish/restoration customers burst into tragic tears when they open the case and see their "new" old Rick for the first time.

Although I have seen tears of joy.

Uh, Paul, that was a gnat that flew in my eye....

Both eyes, then, John?

Only one eye...the other was pure joy, yes. LOL

Heck, I've cried on the one's that weren't even mine!!! The AZ 360 O.S. was one for sure..

I'd leave it too, looks great just the way it is to me, I don't like buckle rash, but that bass has character for sure, would be a sin in my opinion, that's my vote, sorry Paul, haha!

Paul, don't hold back, you're on fire today. I'm crying right now at work, but from laughing.

Maybe you know the answer to my baffling question about a Damper Bar on the Rickenbacker Basses section? Rather than restate everything, hopefully you can check out the thread.

Thanks, Lyle

I know I plan on crying when I see mine as I believe it's the only way I'm ever going to own a checkered azureglo 4001.... And I predict it will be just as valuable as my other two checkered 73's that still have their original finish.... Plus I want to have a Paul W. creation(or two) as I believe they will have their own unique value in the future.

Mark I just solved the burning mystery of the damper bar for you over on your thread.

"I'd say don't refinish it. It will drop its resale value by at least half as well. I know you wouldn't want to sell it, but I'm talking about a major catastropy."

I'd have to say that I disagree with you there, Gene. If Paul W or Dale re-finished this bass, I'd buy it for at least the $4000.00 that it just sold for. If it were offered for less than half, I'll take two.

Please note that I did not take any stand on whether the bass should ever be refinished, as that decision is up to the owner.

My comments were aimed strictly at the valuation issue.