Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

jps wrote:It sounds like that would a perfect candidate for an octave pedal.

And, which one do you like best? I've been wanting one, but not being in a location where it's easy to try them out, I haven't decided which one works best...

I keep thinking of getting one, too. It is between a MXR Bass Octave Deluxe or the Aguilar Octamizer, probably the latter.

Anybody got experience with both? (Not to derail this thread, or anything! )

jps wrote:Anybody got experience with both? (Not to derail this thread, or anything! )

No, but I did have the EBS. The only thing that tracks down to low E and also does chords is a POG (which I now have).

Thanks, Bert! I did get to try Brian Crisman's (IIRC) a couple years ago. I got to play with the Aguilar a bit at NAMM 2010 but given the environment it is not easy to really hear how things sound, there. Something I liked about the Octamizer is it's versatility and control options. In CJ's case, he just needs to get down to A 55Hz for his bass steal steel.

Oh, no, I'm already down to 55Hz, I need to get to 27.5Hz, or perhaps even to a 20.6Hz E...


I've been leaning towards the Aguilar myself, but nobody within over 200 miles of me has one I can try, so...

jps wrote:Thanks, Bert! I did get to try Brian Crisman's (IIRC) a couple years ago. I got to play with the Aguilar a bit at NAMM 2010 but given the environment it is not easy to really hear how things sound, there. Something I liked about the Octamizer is it's versatility and control options. In CJ's case, he just needs to get down to A 55Hz for his bass steal steel.

You have 2 ways of octaving (I presume). One) analyzes pitch and throws some kind of synthesizing tone out one octave below the analyzed pitch. This one will not work with chords and generally does not track very well on lower notes. Two) (the Pog series and maybe others I do not know) just throws anyting it has on input digitally out again one octave lowered. This works even (great) when you scratch your strings with a plectrum. Some people find the Pogs lack character. It is not a synthesized tone so I understand what they mean. People like Pino Paladino use the first variant. But the Pog did not exist yet when he had his biggest hits with Paul Young I suppose.

cjj wrote:Oh, no, I'm already down to 55Hz, I need to get to 27.5Hz, or perhaps even to a 20.6Hz E...

I've been leaning towards the Aguilar myself, but nobody within over 200 miles of me has one I can try, so...

I was referring to the lowest note you have available that need Octamizing®. How about putting the output of the Octamizer through a POG!

I am new to this forum and enjoying it very much. I started a new thread about the very very earliest 4001 bass.
Some people believe that the oldest Rick 4001 with the 50's design scratchplate, could possible be a one off, a design study on the way to the more familiar layout.
If that is true then a one off 4001 with the earlier design, might well be the rarest or most expensive Ric bass.
That's of course if it came up for sale, which it probably won't.
if I had it I wouldnt sell it

Not that it compares in value to the earliest 4001........I have a Left-Handed 4003s 8-string bass. FG finish with a Toaster in the neck position.

Don't think too many of those were made.............


Lefty4003s8







Do not drink from the toilet when taking Lyrica

Determining "rarest" or "most expensive" is really difficult. Rarity would depend on several factors: number built, number that survive, model number, unusual finish or trim, lefty, etc. "Most Expensive" is nearly impossible to determine. We can document price on those we see selling at on-line forums or ebay or Craig's List, etc., but we don't have access to amounts in private sales. And then you have to consider what sellers are asking for "rare" Ricks (and what they actually end up receiving). A current example on eBay is some fool trying to sell a 1960 4000 for a "buy it now" (or best offer) of $35,000! He also has a 4002 for $25,000 (or B.O.). He'll be lucky to get one fifth of his BIN price on either one. One of the other factors to consider is provenance; was it owned by a celebrity? Who knows what the value would be to collectors should McCartney's or Squire's originals become available? Yikes!

But when it comes to rarity, I would offer:

That 1961 "4001" developmental (sold for around $17,000 as I recall)
Five 4005LS "Light Show" basses were built (according to John Hall)
Probably only one lefty 4005/6 six-string bass
Probably only one lefty 21-fret 4001 (Peter Levett has it)
Probably only one lefty 4003 short-scale in Jetglo (Peter Levett has it)

(All of the above appear in the book, btw.)

I haven't read all of the preceding (long!) thread, but it came up in another topic that there are no known surviving examples from the batch of 25 Autumnglo Rose Morris 1999 bass guitars exported to England in 1966. This Autumnglo was a very rare "redburst" shading as shown in the 1966 1997 pictured below (which was exported to Rose Morris in England as part of the same shipments with the bass guitars). If one of these 1966 Autumnglo Rose Morris model 1999 guitars has survived, then that would surely make it one of the rarest model/colour variations and, I imagine, pretty expensive too...

I note that there's a similar (although not as dark) redburst shaded 1968 Autumnglo 4001 on Gbase right now as well....it's at Gary's Classic Guitars and listed up at $13,900!

http://www.gbase.com/gear/rickenbacker- ... -autumnglo

Then there's the John Paul Jones bass...

It's to the left of the Lemmy K. bass in the second picture.

I think we could safely leave celebrity provenance out of the rarity and value equation here. Really, when you're paying the big price, it's because of the association with that celebrity, not based on the merit or significance of the instrument itself.

And rarity, in that case, would be nothing (only one!)


I would estimate the 4005LS basses to be the most expensive rare Rick bass, as they have been sold for more that RM1999 and early 4000 models, and are far rarer.

Great thread, I especially enjoyed the lengthy debate over the RM1999's, most interesting.

Back to topic, perhaps also more valuable are the first examples of a certain type.

Seans wrote:Back to topic, perhaps also more valuable are the first examples of a certain type.

Here, here!