Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

when i see the word vintage i tend to get excited-then when i find out there referring to a 76 4001 i tend to loose that exctement -am i just getting older is 1976 a vintage year-i see vintage all over ebay is something that hasn't changed much in 30 years vintage?

I think so. It may not have the checkered binding or full width inlays, but I'd still call it a vintage Rick. I think its technically considered an antique if its 25 years old.

vintage = year or period of origin ... from Websters dictionary ...

I have 2 rics of 2002 vintage ... 1 1998 ... 2 1993 ... 1 1990 ... 1 1986 ...

Interesting, Jeff is right, any older Ric, since they are dated is from that vintage. Like wine I suppose.

Generally from being in the collectibles business, I would tell customers it takes a generation to see if it has real collector's value.

Chris Pappas can correct me, but I believe, technically, an antique is over 100 years old, but the term is used loosely by some on newer goods. I guess you could say that about the term vintage as well.

In the 70's & 80's we were calling 50's and 60's stuff (respectively) vintage... So by that standard, 70’s stuff in 05…

... originally the term "vintage" might have meant a very typical sound or make of an older instrument...

...nowadays it is used to increase business and sales...

...some dumb collectors buy anything with that term, that definitely underwent some "inflation"like everything will, that is (ab-)used for business.

I think Jeff is more or less right; I believe "vintage" is the term used to describe something more then 25 years old (at least it is in car terms, so I believe). I have the same problem though, a 78 Rick just isn't vintage to me!

I think it's a relative term, to someone 24 years old a 70's bass is probably vintage, to me it's something I bought brand new when I was 24. But I do see 70's 4001's rapidly becoming collectors items. Look what happened to CBS Fenders especially 70's, when they were new they were known as THE basses to avoid. Now they're vintage??

Bob. I agree with you about '70's Fenders. I can't believe what the value on those mediocre basses is.

It seems that Ed Roman is already considering these as vintage.

Yeah, 2004 vintage.

lol

That is without doubt one of the best (if not the best)contemporary looking basses being produced today. Instantly coveted and collectible. Vintage!

Vintage isn't the word that bothers me in descriptions of items. It is the word "Mint". I honestly hsve problems with the very loose definition of "Mint".

I really hate "minty" it grates on my nerves.

The one that bugs me is "Beyond Mint" ...

How do you get better than mint?