Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

any thoughts on this one, the seller also has a case for sale in another auction.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120111104298&indexURL=1&photoDisplayType=2#ebayphotohosting

Beautiful...

Looks very original apart from what the seller mentions and has that mojo factor in spades. The 69 FG goes dark for a few months and this is a lovely example.

The seller knows his history too. I think he could well be a lurker here!

Now, how much will it go for?

He is confusing only in the area talking about the wing separation and the two graphite rods Other than that, it is a good dark-FG period example. It is remarkable how similar this bass is to the 1968 German FG I bought earlier this year. In that bass, the bridge pickup is exactly the same kind of pickup with a bar magnet underneath. I suspect that one of two things is true - either the 1968 originally had the "transitional 1969" pickup as one of the first so-equipped, or much more likely the owner of the bass hated the shoes covering the strings, wanted them removed, and the dealer at the time swapped off the original pickup with a 1969 version that allowed removal of the cosmetic cover for free access to the strings.

I have of course replaced that bridge pickup with genuine 1968 shoes

The price-compression issue will keep most US buyers away, with the Pound Sterling at an all-time high

I bought the German 1968 for the equivalent of about $5600 USD after all the dust settled in January 2007, including Vince taking a good run on it. (Yes I sniped in the last three seconds, but whaddaya want ) So, it needs new reverse Klusons and a replacement pickguard and nut - all are very inexpensive except perhaps the Klusons (still hunting a set - anyone got Klusons out there? ), but at the worst I can use vintage reissues.

Comparatively this auction is for a much-worse quality finish and more corroded hardware, is only a few months newer, has the same dark-FG period finish, and is starting at $5100 USD!

I would much rather save for a 1965 to 1967 4001 in a more-rare finish.

This museum-minty all-original Jan 1970 21-fretter has spoiled me, taking some of the fire out of my belly for projects. Now I am more into waiting for that rare NOS case queen now, not a project with mismatched tuners and corroded hardware, and a really skinned-up finish.

I suspect that the wing separation issue and the graphite rods is, in reality, a reference to the standard small separation due to truss rod misadjustment technique, causing the fingerboard to separate from the neck slightly from the nut to the first fret. No big deal, easily repaired by a knowledgeable luthier without rods.

I do think that Rick-hysteria will take this one up to at least $8000 USD, and maybe $9500 or more....

Oh My! Anyone need a slightly used Jazz Bass?

Talking it down and then snipe in at the end, Elys?

what color is the jazz bass?

Well, Kev, if you really want me to talk down your Jazz Bass and then snipe it at the end, you'll have to put it up on eBay first...

Then, tell me how far you want the talking-down to go, and I will do my best to oblige

That's OK, Elys!

Sean, Just a basic Sunburst.

Hey, Kevin, that basic SunburstGlo on the right is just fine for me! Pack her up and my $500 is on the way

If I still had her, I would have sold her to you for $499.00!

She was nice, but just didn't seem to fit me.

Actually, the Jazz would only go for something really special. It's been in the family too long.

Great-looking 4001, to be sure. BUT, is the TRC on it period-accurate? No way - no matter what the seller states. As for the treble pickup assembly, I'm not sure what to make of it.

Does that look like a late'60s/early '70s TRC to any of you? Notice it is slightly shorter and narrower, which means post-1971. No?

You are right, Sérgio, I think. The lettered addition of "MODEL 4001" is missing from all mine until after late 1971 early 1972, then it appears.

It is likely that this is a replacement TRC.

Hey Kevin,

Are you REALLY going to sell the Jazz?

Hmmmm.....

You could be right on the TRC Sergio. My '69 has "Made in USA" running parallel to the nut.

The surround looks fine to me. Same bobbin too, similar to my '69, except this one's on the right way!

That wing "lifting" is common on the 60's basses where Roto's have been used. The thin neck does flex and twist when under all those years of tension. My green '64 RM1999 has a degree of it too.

This is a bass that usually gets a lot of attention. Nothing jumps out at you as unusual. The original body has no routs and the seller has given a very complete description. A true vintage finish, well worn in hardware and vibe by the bucketload.

I hope he gets a bucketload for it....

I agree Sergio, the TRC looks to be early to mid 70's.

I also think you're right regarding the surround, corners are a wee bit to sharp.

Under the hood, there looks to have been resoldering of some kind going on, there are joints that are much cleaner with less oxidation than the others, also I don't think the big caps are the originals either

69 was the year the headstock was shortened, not sure of the month / quarter however.