Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

First post here for me, although I have to admit to having been a regular visitor for the last three years. I have two rics, a 1980 4003 in what I think is autumnglo (but could be walnut or something else) and a 2003 4001c64 in mapleglo. I know that they're not that easy to come by anywhere at the moment, but a 4001c64 is a particularly rare bass here in Australia. The small market, tyranny of distance and lack of availability means they dont sell for much under list, which is AU$6300 (just over US$5000). Fortunately I found mine secondhand at a considerable discount. Every photo Ive ever taken of the 4003 doesnt capture the colour properly, its much lighter in person, with a caramel tone to the brown rather than the dark brown that appears in the photos.

Welcome, Adam! Nice looking basses. The 4003 almost looks a bit like Monty Brown. Hard to tell from the pics what it actually is - could just be a dark, aged Fireglo.

Beautiful c64 too!

Thanks for the welcoming comments guys, Im glad I finally broke cover after lurking here for so long.

Ill take your advice re the 4003 David, as I don't intend on selling either of these. I bought the 4003 about five years back to finally satisfy the ric bass craving Id held since the very early 80's, not long after I got my 77 precision and was in my first band. I still have my p bass and a 73 jazz, but the 4003 has been my favourite since I got it and my unceasing appreciation for it is what inspired me to seek out the c64. The c64 is in a league of its own in terms of build quality, I may not get out much but Ive personally never had the fortune of handling a better finished bass.

When I was looking my first preference was for a fireglo (like yours) but none were forthcoming. Mapleglo has not been a colour Ive normally considered but I think when combined with the rosewood fretboard and walnut wings it works on the c64, and has its own thing going for it. Mind you I must say my heart skipped a couple of beats earlier today when I saw two freshly listed JETGLO v63s that have just popped up in Australia (see this thread:
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Hi Adam,

I had a 98 v63 and in my opinion, the c64 is a better bass. Thinner neck, and the true vintage tone do the trick for me. Maybe that thought will ease the sting a little.

Hi Adam,
Welcome to the Forum, that's a nice Fireglo tartan your Rics are on. Two very nice looking ones as well.

John, I don't think that is an aged Fireglo, I'd say Autum, or Monty Brown.

'76 3001 (Brown Burst?)
'77 3001 Azureglo
'00 4004 CII Green

My first real bass was a brand new '77 (might have been a '76, I was 16 and too young to know better) 4001 Azureglo. Sold that one and bought an April '73 Burgandyglo 4001 (with all the vintage features) in 1979. Sold that for $500.00 when I got married in '93 (biggest mistake of my life... almost).

I just love the 3001s. I really don't even play the 4004 anymore (kind of a shame). The 4004 is really beautiful, but both 3001s play and sound better. Who woulda thunk it?

"(biggest mistake of my life... almost)."

Selling the April '73 or getting married?!

Both.

Selling it to raise money for the wedding makes it twice as painful.

Here we go again: thirteen of 'em here:



And there are more, like these:

1990 4001CS, 1982 4001 JG, 1978 4001FL (autumnglow)

I am down to six 5 string Ric basses ... I sold a few ...

1990 4003s5 oil finish black trim
2001 4003 4-2-5 jetglo
1993 4004L 4-2-5 Jetglo
1998 4004ci 4-2-5 oil finish walnut
1986 2030 4-2-5 silver
1993 2020 4-2-5 red with Van Halen white and black stripes

For many years I only had one ... but it was a beauty ... a 1968 4001 fireglo with flamed and quilted maple ...

My first real bass and my one and only ric: '78 "unionjackglo" 4001 with neck toaster and Sergio bridge PU

I have a 4001V63MG, a 4001C64FG, and a 4003MB. All great basses and I love playing all three. My first Ric was a '77 4001 that was a nice player. I sold it in '84 and I really regret it now.

Hey, Gary. I don't think I see your V63 there

Gary - beautiful 4005, didn't know you had one.