Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

. . . I stumbled upon Howie Epstein's one-off Rick bass. No, I don't "have" it, but viewed and handled it. It's part of his estate sale that will be advertised in the next (any day now) Vintage Guitar magazine.

Imagine this: Jetglo Rick 350-style (think Susanna Hoffs style) hollow body with cat-eye hole, double bound in checker binding, three toaster pickups, TV knobs with a small "fifth" knob, bridge similar to a 4005, unique (I think) tailpiece, set neck (not bolt on, anyway) with pearl/resin shark-fin markers that are full width, 3001-style headstock, chrome hardware. In good shape, a couple of tiny dents, but no chipped paint. If I can get photos to release, I'll do so.

Anybody know anything about this bass? It'll make the book, certainly, as I can shoot photos of it. The man handling the estate says some collectors have offered $5Gs for it already, but it will go on auction for Dec/Jan. Anybody seen a picture of Howie with it?

Are they selling just because, or are their estate tax issues?

If it is the latter, I don't get why proper planning isn't done

Whaa?! Is it definitley a legit Rick?

This sounds like the same copy that Bill Wyman had in the 60's. I can't remember the manufacturer but it sure sounds like the same brand of bass.

John and Dane, no, this appears to be Rickenbacker made, not a copy to my eye. Can't be as old as from the '60s, anyway. Serial on the single jackplate is XX1 and 1995. Brian, don't know the details, but I believe Howie's brothers are disposing of the instruments. This will all be clear in a few days, I believe.

Just had to look him up - he was bassist for Tom Petty for a while, didn't know that. I suppose that makes it all the more likely that RIC could have made him a one-off bass.

Did you snap any shots, Paul?

Edit: Nevermind.

Anybody have a picture of this bass?

Bump, any pics yet Paul?

Is this it?

http://youtube.com/watch?v=FO0iS23gguI

I think so. Can't see the binding on this video. There was supposedly another similar in the Epstein collection that has already been sold. It was described to me as "similar, but not as fancy." Perhaps one without binding. The fellow with the estate also has found out that it (they?) may have been custom built for Howie by Rick Turner (or his company). Hope to document the instrument tomorrow. This video certainly lends credence to an instrument like this being in the Heartbreakers. Can we tell that's Howie? Don't know enough about the band and personnel to tell.

OK, here are some photos I took today, thanks to the Howie Epstein estate and Top Shelf Guitar Shop in Milwaukee. First off, this is NOT a Rick, but made to look like a bass version of the 350. Apparently, Howie wanted a bass that looked like John Lennon's guitar, so he had someone make it. It's still not clear to me if Rick Turner did it or someone else. It's a fine instrument, but on close inspection, it is not the quality we've all come to expect from Rickenbacker.

It's a good looking bass. That body shape translates well to bass. Not like the 4001 body translated to guitar.

My goodness. That is just too cool!

I handled the instrument, and although I didn't have a strap, I detected that it would most likely be a neck diver. The body is pretty light, and without much moment on the upper horn, the solid neck would tip the balance.

Not to rain on the parade, but what is the difference in this bass and all the clones we trash in the other threads? It even sports a TRC and here we are praising it and getting pics for a Rick book....