Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

http://austin.craigslist.org/msg/258110906.html

Something is up with that rear pickup though! I'm going to check it out tomorrow as it is at a local shop. No case and serial number starts with LI which puts it at Sept. '72. No telling what is under that extra "pickguard" though.......

Watch out, it's a "Rickenbocker"

LOL! Just noticed that.

Checked out the bass. A genuine September '72 bass.(although the shop thinks it is a '79) At first glance I thought the finish was black, but it appears to be a very dark burgandy. It is so dark you can't really see the walnut strip though. Pickguard, toaster and bridge are original. Someone installed strap locks and the funky bridge pickup. (which looks like a Gibson Marauder guitar pickup!) The good news: No routing where they mounted the clear "pickguard" that holds the treble pickup. They even used the 4 screw holes from the original pickup surround. Lots of player wear. The frets could use a dressing and the fingerboard finish is cracking and there is some discoloration of the rosewood where the finish had worn through. The sparkle inlays look nice. The Grover's are good and the nut and nameplate are original to the bass. Does $1500 sound like a good price? It has the original black tolex case with blue lining. (at least I think it is original to the bass)

Go and get it Bob...

Bob, the ad states that there is a big crack on the neck. Did you notice the crack?

I love that dark eggplant-like burgundy finish that RIC did in the early 70's

The crack looked to be a stress crack just behind the nut near the headstock/first fret area. Did not look too bad. Must........resist........!!

At $1500 I certainly wouldn't resist Bob. You could get any neck problem fixed with the guys here and slowly replace original parts.

You won't find many 72's at $1500 again, and especially not the much desired 1st generation BG/EPG.

There are quite a few lurkers here and I wouldn't be surprised if that goes quick if you don't jump on it..

Yeah, maybe you should have posted this thread in the Ricks For Sale section...then again, I'm sure there are some guys that register here and then just lurk.
I would also find it hard to resist at $1500, just curious as to how bad the crack was.

Thanks for your encouragement guys! I went back and "rescued" the bass. Surprisingly the guy said nobody had even plugged it in, which I did. May need a bit of wiring work done and I'm going to get a hi gain from Sergio to replace the existing one. I did not know about the early BG finish. I have a lot to learn about these early basses. The bass did have a very nice "unplugged" tone though.

Bob - You may want to keep the original bridge pickup on hand even if you do replace it. Those early '70's high gains are pretty rare, especially if they WORK. It would be good to have that pickup if you decide you want to revert back to a more vintage tone.

Sounds like a nice score there, Bob. Welcome to the Forum. You'll need to post some photos of your new purchase

Yup, you get that 72 back up to snuff and you've got a bass worth $3000+ (welcome Bob). The dark burgundy's are very nice but they are frustrating to photograph, they almost always look like jetglo. Here's a pic of my April 73 that I had to shine a light on to get the color to come out.

Big score Bob - I needed that bass, an would have grabbed it super quick if you didn't.

Best of luck with it!

He Scores!