Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Somebody is offering me an 4005 with bindings 1974 mapleglow. There has been some hacking in the body (aarghh) around the neck pu.
It seems there has been a different (bigger) PU in its place in the past and has been turned back to original only the original PU now does not fully cover the hole. Also the bridge plate under the saddles is not original some messing plate took it's place.
How does this affect the value. Asking price is around 2000 US $ what do ya think ?

Thanks a lot,

Marcus.

Marcus,
If you're not worried about resale value and want it for the sound, then it's probably an OK deal. A year or so ago, I was offered a 4005 FG, the yellowish-orange kind of Fireglo (I don't remember the year, maybe a '72 - I think it had toasters) for $2500, but it had (1) a well-done major neck repair, and (2) significant wear on the back (from belt buckle) and the front (from a hand resting near the E string). It may have had a pickup change or something else 'not correct' about it, too, so I passed on it.

There was a Burgandy 4005 on GuitarBase not too long ago (may still be there, I haven't checked lately), but I think the dealer wanted >$3000 for it, and it had a lot of finish issues, as I recall. The dealer did have it on eBay at one time, but no one was willing to meet the reserve. Just goes to show that the value of a guitar [or other item, for that matter] is what someone is willing to pay for it.

Gary

Marcus...

If at all possible, bite the financial bullet for something like this:

http://www.rumbleseatmusic.com/pix/69rick4005fireglobass.jpg

IMHO, it'll be worth the wait and expenditure... but then again, that's just my inner Rick "lust-demon" talking!

Thanks for the replies, I own a 1975 Burgundy 4005. The 4005 in question was a 1974 4005 WB mapleglow. I passed it to a friend of mine who finally bought it for 1650 €. The hole under the
bridge PU can be restored with some woodfiller other than that a very nice bass indeed.

Marcus, sounds like it worked out fine. Alvaro, that's a great-looking 4005 at that link (I also looked at the picture of the back that is posted on that website - no belt wounds!). Here's a picture of the front of the 4005 FG I mentioned above.



That front rub mark is quite visible (and unattractive!); the one on the back was worse (larger, wider).

Alvaro,

Beautiful laminations on that headstock!

John,
I can't agree more.
The combination of its maple/walnut(?)laminations and the "perspectives" of that fireglo finish is both modern and retro at the same time.

I've bought this 1976 4005WB and it's great! I did a gig with it and it sounds great. Marcus is a real Rickenbacker and 4005 expert. He has seen my 4005 and he also was quite positive. Only the little hole muts be filled and there's a little wiring problem. But the neck, the PU's and the body are great!

Besides this 4005 I own two 1976 3000's, (white/black and mapleglo/black) a 1976 3001 (black/black) and a 1976 4001 (mapleglo/white.)

And I'm new here.

Hi Chris,

Glad to meet a Ricken-brother!