Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

http://cgi.ebay.at/Rickenbacker-4001-D-Bass-Guitar-1978-VINTAGE-Sunburst_W0QQitemZ250092667960QQihZ015QQcategoryZ87487QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

This guy is really ridiculous, asking 1000 EURO BIN for that faker!!!

Well, at least the pickups have adjustable polepieces...

I like the case! But the bass, err...

Where is Mr. Hall to sew this guy? He really calls it a Rickenbacker - I pitty the fool. And then the price!~?~!

Has anyone got a double decker bus to hand? I want to see if I can get it under that action; I reckon I've got a pretty good shot.

Double decker bus??? This bass has NO BUZZ!!!



(on the frets, I guess)

Western goods were simply not available in much of eastern Europe prior to November of 1989. Faker, yes. But that bass is also a Cold War relic - one of the better ones I have seen. Earlier on (50's - 60's) in some countries, the simple act of embracing western culture was a crime against the state. That included showing any appreciation for western music, movies, or style of dress. A few years ago, I saw a display of vintage cold war guitars in Prague. They were crude but ingeniously crafted from common items. The woodwork was generally good but the hardware on many of them was made from spoons, knives, and forks stolen from restaurants. That does not legitimize that bass in any way but if it was really made in the 70's, there was significant risk taken by its creator.

I like the neck joint. Looks well done.

Interesting, I just found this pick of the same bass from 2005...

Ted, which countries are you specifically refering to? I was born and raised in Poland and lived there from my birth in 1959 till 1981. Sure , it is true that western goods were not easy to get, but owning them certainly was not a crime. I started as a drummer and I played a Ludwig set. My guitarist and bassist played Gibsons. Also my very favorite band from Hungary - Omega used all western equipment including a beautiful fireglo 4001.

Now that is a rarity - That's Jolana D, from about 1984. These come up from time to time but that's the best condition, most original one I think I've seen.

A bit more info about the brand here, if anyone's interested:

http://meatexz.com/cheesyguitars/jolana.html

Of course, it's the usual Ebay bull - 1000 Euro is way too much, and it's a joke to suggest something that refined was made in 1978 - just look at the other Jolanas from the 70s!

Jon.

Bit more about individual models here:

http://meatexz.com/cheesyguitars/guitars_jolana.html


J.

Kris: Polish people seem to have had a different experience. That is not the first time I have been told that. The bulk of the Soviet horror stories seem to be told by Czechs. I met a man from Belarus in Krakow and he scoffed at the idea that the Czechs could have had it that bad.

In the same club in Krakow I had a beer with some jazz musicians who said that they would be hassled by the police (one said he was beaten) for playing jazz in Krakow clubs before the wall came down.