Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hi forumites, was thinking about adding a FG 4001 or 4003 to my recently-restored 3000 FG. Saw this one on eBay (two days left and no bids yet) and wondered what you guys think would be a reasonable price for a 1989 FG in this condition?
Thanks for your advice, in advance. Clarky

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=002&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=120129016378&rd=1&rd=1

It looks nice, but $1500 to start seems a bit inflated. $1500 at the end of the auction doesn't seem unreasonable. Maybe even a little more...seeing as you are in the UK, then there is even more of a premium on it.

If you are really wanting it put it on watch. I suspect there won't be any bidding activity until very near the end of the auction due to the high starting bid. Maybe it slips under the radar and you can snipe it for not much more than the starting price...

Thanks Ed - sounds like very good advice. I will put in on watch and see what happens late on (though it finishes at 2am on Wednesday my time and I get up for work at 5.30am - ouch!)

The price is good (by UK standards) but by the time you have paid shipping (approx. $250+) and 24% duty and VAT (on the total declared price including the shipping cost) + the Parcelfarce handling charge it suddenly isn't quite such a bargain (you also have to bear in mind the risk of being ripped off, it arriving damaged or being a POS when (if) it gets here. Keep your eyes open here, it may cost a bit more but at least you have some comeback if things go wrong.

Mark, I got mine for $1080 U.S. (incl. ship) on ebay a bit over a year ago (1998 FG 4003). I was fortunate, as it was in really nice condition. The neck was a bit out of it, as the seller shipped it with no tension - which isn't correct. The tress rods balance out the string tension, so they should be left in tune, which is how Ric does it. Make sure your seller does this.

Anyway, if an ebay member you should check the recently "completed" auctions for the final bid prices to get an idea of what others have been paying. Simply do "advanced search", then "completed auctions."

I think they are going for more now than they were then. It is mainly about supply and demand of course.

I didn't realise about the 24% duty and VAT on price plus shipping - that makes a big difference. Thanks for pointing this out Peter. What looked like a reasonable price to someone in the UK (me!) is now starting to rack up ...

That '89 should have a real nice neck profile on it too!