Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

About a year ago I wandered into a second hand music store in Newcastle (England)and saw 2 unusual Rickenbackers on the wall.

The first one looked like a 330 with toasters and was finished with a Green sunburst.
The other one was a 341Lightshow in poor condition with scratches and dings all over the jetglo finish and no power supply.
In hindsight I should have bought it, because it was priced at the equivalent of about $80 US.

My question is How much would you expect to pay for a mint condition lightshow?

I would be surprised to see one of the guitars go for less than $3k, or a 4005LS bass for less than $8k. Even in its poor condition, I bet that one you saw could have been sold for over $1500.

The last light show guitar that I personally am aware of was sold for about $15,000. This was interesting to me (!!) as I have two in my collection, one of each type.

The instrument was purchased by a Japanese TV show that gave it away to someone, a type of "make-a-wish" program, or something like that.

The last bass sale was quite awhile ago but even then the amount was such that the seller was able to buy himself a cotttage in Scotland with the proceeds.

There was one on ebay (a 331) that was a B-/C+ condition that went for about $2500.00 within the last 6 months or so....no power supply either.

If I had found one for $80.00 US, I would have broken my hand getting my wallet out. There are STILL deals out there, you just gotta keep shakin' the bushes.

John Hall: IMO the lightshow guitars with the earlier lighting circuitry would command a small premium over the later style, wouldn't ya think?? Are the ones you have the 1st or 2nd Style?

Leftybass, I think that John owns one of each. I owned a '71 model. I wish that I stilowned it. I gotta learn to keep guitars longer

hmmm, maybe after the "C" series will be the "L" series of Lightshow RI's...

but, then again, maybe not.