Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I just overpaid a bit for this March 1972 4001 FG on eBay, since Sergio Silva would not sell my his August 1970 4001

It has a problem pickguard, so a trip to Tony at PickGuardian is the first stop, to get the proper PG and the proper Lucite finger-rest.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160074436532&ru=http://search.ebay.com:80/160074436532_W0QQfromZR40QQfviZ1

My question is this: Since the finish is breached so badly on the back, should I immediately seek professional refinishing from Paul or Dale? I know the school of thought that says keep it original, but I think that is outweighed by the wood itself being so badly open ot moisture in the air and the chance of oils getting in to the uppper layer of wood, making it harder to get a new finish to stick or penetrate evenly later.

Plus, it would be nice to be able to see this Mar 72 have a complete world-class restoral from someone like Paul or Dale The money is not an object either, either are more than totally worth it!

So, would YOU recommend an immediate and complete restoral with refinishing of the body, neck, fretboard, and replating of anything that needs it? Besides the PG and Lucite FR, the only other thing that looks awry is the missing chromed-plastic pickup cover.

All this is based on my limited knowledge for what my original March 1971 4001 had on it. If I missed anything that would be different a year later on this March 1972 4001, please let me know.

Thanks in advance for your advice and wisdom!!!

Elys

I don't think it's in bad shape at all. I've seen much worse.
The price doesn't seem too bad either considering how few '72's there are out there & the condition.
They aren't becoming any more plentiful!

This bass was discussed a bit in another thread. The concensus was that it was not a '72, but something earlier.

Even better!

Paul's recommendation, if you're not going to refinish, is to spray clear over the worn parts of the finish to avoid contamination.
I'm sure he'll give you the details, as I'm no expert & merely repeating what I remember from another thread.
IMHO a refin from either of these two gents is certainly more than worth the money involved. 'Twould be a work of art.

Elys, you might search the Forum for other threads that deal with the refinish/leave-alone dilemma, a subject that has been discussed quite a bit.

To me, it's your guitar and if you like it the way it is, fine, or if you want it restored to like-new appearance, that's fine, too!

That is what I was afraid of A non-original jackplate and no way (except for forensics on the pickups and pot dates, etc) to tell its true lineage.

Which thread?

Uh-oh! Don't make me feel guilty, Elys!Congratulations on the new "babe". If ever I can be of assistance with it, don't hesitate to advise.

Elys, I'd leave it as it is.

I can't find it, Elys, but I recall one of the tell-tale signs were the walnut headwings. I think a '72 would have the stripe.

Thanks, Sergio! All kidding aside, I know it is worth a great deal to you to be able to drive over to your friend's house any time you want and visit your old August 1970 4001 - worth even more than having gotten half-again or even twice the euros for it to have seen it disappear overseas forever. I certainly respect that! And I am grateful for your kind help and advice

Elys, the thread is here in Basses, called "High Price for a 72?" and started by me, in awe that these can command such a sum.

Personally, if I had the means, I would have Paul or Dale or Ted redo it. Nothing will take away from the fact that it is old and beautiful, but they will make it young again, and astonishing. Unless of course you prefer, like some, to place it under glass... in one of those Museums of Unquestioned Authenticity...

Nah. Let it sing!

I would leave it as it is. Replace the pickguard for sure and have the electronics checked but leave the finish alone. That is my $.02. The jack plate is probably original. Remember, the bass was made during a transition period. Any combination of features could have occurred.

Thanks, Kevin! I did remember that from Paul's Curmudgeon threads about refinishing, and at the very least would do the clear topcoat overspray with lacquer that he recommended, masking off the undamaged section of topcoat first of course. It cannot be much different than doing a fine lacquer finish on an antique hot rod, as we did often in my misspent youth. Well, maybe a smaller gun and different pressure, etc. I just could not do anything anywhere near the artistic quality of the experts like Paul and Dale, and would hesitate to even try...

Elys/John, as I discussed on the previous thread, it is DEFINITELY a '72, because I've got one from the month before (LB) with EXACTLY the same spec. My pictures on that thread refer. Absolutely no question. I'm happy to forward pics if anyone wants to check it out. It would seem however that, contrary to what I thought, there may be very few with that spec about.

So, nice buy Elys! I certainly don't think you overpaid, as it would seem to be rarer than I first thought they were. And it's value will only increase. It may also be good news for me, as mine is all original and in slightly better condition, so considering I paid £490 in 1993 that's not a bad increase in value. But I having said that I would never, ever sell it. Ironically I have been umm-ing and ah-ing over this bass all week; I nearly decided to sell my CS to have a serious go, but then Jim Glen spoke his usual words of wisdom and talked me out of it.

With regards to the refin question, I was having exactly the same thoughts before deciding not to bid. I say if you have the funds, then go for it. You will end up with (IMHO) one of the most stunning Rics there is (and this from someone who likes "mo-jo'd" basses...)

It ain't that bad! I'd get the new pickguard on her and bring her home and play her for a while and decide.

I've also seen walnut wings on another early '72 and used to own a skunk-stripe '72 with the flat Grovers.