Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

OK... here's the other model that I've been lusting after...If only I had 10 grand to blow I'd be set between these two basses.....
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2507158039

I'm not really a collector either ... although I probably won't ever sell my '68 ... basically I only own basses that I play ...

That's why I sold my '73 and '74 4001's a nice pair of mapleglo's with sweet necks ...

Basically I like new high quality basses ... but it is always sweet to have a '60s bass made by anybody ... I wish I still had my '60s hofner ...

Hey David, I saw it too.
A new thread is started.

I have the same reasoning as Jeff---
A reissue is always a reissue and its value can never reach that of a mint old original. I don't think collectors would worry about this. Fender and Gibson produce lots of reissue models that don't put the originals' values in dire. The V and C series guitars and basses are reissues in some way.

Players who want the same features as the vintage originals get reissues whose prices may only be a quarter or less than that of the vintage ones which are not played but collected anyway. (I play, not collect my basses, however I'd love to be a collector of real precious vintage instruments.)

Regarding the checkered binding(which I love dearly), you can find that on the 381 V69 as well. I understand that the checkered binding material is not in abundance at RIC. I just wonder how many guitars and basses would be privileged for it before supply runs out.

Yes the edge to edge triangle inlays (sparkling crushed mother-of-pearl or not) are way more classy than the current type. Really intriguing!

(This is pure dreaming)

If Mr. Hall would open a RIC Custom Shop, I'd be in bliss to have my dream bass made with the following features:

-Checkered binding
-21 frets with crushed mother-of-pearl, edge-to-edge triangle inlays
-Toaster and horseshoe pickups
-No bridge pickup cover but the pickup fitted with chrome frame of a hi-gain neck pickup
-3 screw tailpiece that David (Condra) mentioned
-Modern double truss rod system

Now that's pure ecstasy!

(Again, I'm only dreaming.)

Hm... Paul, that's a substantially accurate description of my 1970 21-fret 4001 and of Gene Schillaci's 1971 21-fret 4001. Meaning, you've got to try and find yourself a late 60s/early 70s 21-fret 4001, you've got to make your dream of owning one of these gems come true!
Guys, let's start searching heaven and earth for a 21-fret 4001 for Paul! I'm serious! His unabashed affection for the ultimate version of the 4001 Bass entitles him to a little help from his friends. (I always wanted to say that line.)

Hey thanks, Sergio.
That is indeed a very nice line of yours.
I'll copy it in my notebook!

Auction has ended.
$7500, reserve not met.
Bye bye 1963.

Looks almost like a few shill bids from Mr. Bill

IMHO, I don't think the owner ever intended to sell it; the bidding on it makes me suspicious. It may have helped matters if the celebrity-owned issues had been revealed in the listing....$7500 is roughly twice what the bass is actually worth in the collector world, unless money is not a factor. The last 1963 4001 on ebay was sold for $3750, which is a reasonable and customary price for that bass guitar. People may disagree with me on this, but other than the cool pics of the bass to look at, this auction was a waste of time. These instruments will appreciate in value, without doubt......just not artificially.

KJ said, "Looks almost like a few shill bids from Mr. Bill (Precise)"

Absolutely. That's as obvious a case of shill bidding as you'll see.

I am of the opinion that a legitimate seller would NOT allow zero-feedback bidders to participate at all, unless such bidders were to 'pre-qualify' to show that they are serious.

Here's how I phrase this in my "for sale" ads:

"... no sales to potential buyers with a negative feedback rating, or those with excessive negative feedback; those with zero feedback will be required to provide ample evidence that they are legitimate bidders."