Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hello Friends. Doug from Oregon here. I am seriously contemplating, (with much sadness), selling my beloved 4003. Economics as they are. I know that this is the "best" place to find an honest answer on what my bass would be worth in the resale market. It is an '05 model that I purchased new in '06. I have customized it to my liking with a black Pickguardian pickguard, Pickguardian clear plexi treble p/u surround and black/silver logo TRC from RIC. I still have the original guard and treble pickup cover. The original TRC is now property of RIC due to their exchange policy. This bass is in excellent condition. I have pampered it like a newborn. No scratches, or dings. Their are two VERY small and very mysterious "pock" marks, for lack of a better way to describe them about the size of a ballpoint pinhead on the back of the body. They are "perfectly" symmetrical and "barely" penetrate the surface. I have absolutely no idea what their origin is or how they could be so "perfect". Honestly, I don't even think about it they are so minute. Just making sure I disclose the info.
Regards,
Doug

Daggone it! I was a week early in getting my new JG 4003 which will be getting the same darkness treatment. I don't know...does starting in the $1,400-$1,500 range sound accurate to any of the more knowing around here.

Grumble grumble grumble........

(Don't mind me, Doug...I'm kicking myself, not you.)

more pics

Bruce is on the money. If you're patient and willing to sell into Europe via Ebay, you could get another $200-$400, but for a quick US sale, $1400-$1500 sound right.

Sell something else unless it's for ransom money for a relative. Bills and situations come and go, but an instrument you love and have made yours will always leave a bad spot in your heart years after the "I have to sell my instrument" problem is gone. If this was just one of many stock instruments that you had lying around for fun, that would be one thing, but this is something you have put a lot of thought and some money into customizing and making yours.

Sell the car, get a cheaper one, get rid of something else, don't sell the bass, unless I am mistaken in my assumption that you really love and cherish this instrument. There has got to be another way to fix the situation that you are in. Believe me, I speak from experience, and have sold guitars I really dug to pay some stupid bill that a little rebudgeting or an additional part time job could have solved.

If this is a signifigant other powerplay situation, they don't respect you, and don't let the bass hit them in the *** on the way out. There is no reason why a healthy relationship cannot function with a little compromise and a lot of respect.

That's my long winded 2 cents on the matter, but hear me man, keep the bass if you can! Welcome to the forum, and may your next topic be "I got to Keep it!"

Welcome to the forum, Doug.
Like Mike said, try your best to avoid selling it.
I've sold a few Ricks in the past and I always want to kick myself for!doing so!

Man........remember thar 05 4003 I had.................She was all blacked out and mean lookin...............That bass sounded killer !...............Wish I still had it...................Cant even remember why I sold Her...................................Wish I still had it.

You friends are the greatest!.....But you're killin' me here! You're all right you know.....I've been in pickles before and the Lord always has His way of meeting our needs and working things out. I've just got this KILLER Hawaii Big Island trip coming up and I have.......and........anyway. You're talking me out of this aren't you? But that is your job right? I greatly appreciate the knowledge, friendliness and passion for Rickenbacker here. It is my passion as well. But, 14-15 is awfully tempting......Here are a couple of shots of my 4003 in action. The guy on the harp is blues/gospel legend Daryl Mansfield. I had the pleasure of playing bass for him last summer in my hometown during "Sonfest". He has some incredible road stories and has played with some huge artists over the past 35 years. He has seen it all.
Thanks, Doug

it's been said many times here before,but i will say it again anyway -the black-on-black mods look soooo good on the 4003. sell plasma,dude!

Dude, $1500 bucks in Hawaii is gonna go quicker than you can even imagine(been there,been broke, ate lots of spam and plate lunch specials). Everything over there is mondo expensive, and unless you have some friends to stay with who can show you sights on the cheap, they gonna get your tourist butt for all it's worth. LIke I said before, unless baby girl needs a kidney transplant or something, DO NOT SELL YOUR BASS!

You will end up in time, regret allowing yourself to believe that selling your bass to go was a good idea, and will be mad at yourself for having 2 things, that on their own, (are really awesome, and could give you a lifetime of great memories), ruined because they came at the others expense. Hawaii is a wonderfull place full of beautiful sights and wonderful people, and gigantic flying cockroaches. It can be a killer experience you will cherish for the rest of your life.

Hawaii ain't going anywhere anytime soon, roll with the confidence of knowing you will always have it be a good thing, and not potentially an issue of discontent. Just trying to keep it real, and wish to save you 2 possible heartaches. Good luck. You mention your belief in the Lord, pray on it, and remember the gifts he gave you.

Enough said on that, I don't want to hyjack the thread or possibly offend anyone who shares other or no beliefs, or turn this into a religeous discussion. Good luck and you might be surprised what other options you can come up with.

One other possibility - is that your amp in the background? Can't really make it out but if that's an SVT Classic, it's probably worth more than your Ric and a heck of a lot easier to replace. Just a thought.

Hi Fred. Yes it is an SVT Classic head with 810 cab. Unfortunately, it's not mine. It came with the sound company that got the contract for this event. I have a Fender 400 Pro head and Fender 410 Bassman cab. It's okay.....but, I would rather have a tube head. The SVT or the Fender all tube 300 pro head would be my choice. And.....I'm still up in the air about selling my Rick. I would be inclined to give somebody here in the RRF a shot at it first if It comes down to it. At least I know it would go to a loving home.
Regards, Doug

It's not really any of my business, but I wouldn't sell that beautiful bass unless I was really desperate for the money. I've had years of low income, emigration, kids, and a long period of ill health, causing me to sell lots of stuff, but I never did sell my '75 4001 or my black early 70's Gibson Les Paul Custom guitar. My wife (bless her!) always said I should hang on to them (knowing how much they meant to me deep down) when I contemplated selling out of sense of family responsibility. Now I'm playing again after a long break and I'm soooooo happy that I still have these guitars because I sure couldn't afford to buy another right now. That's my take on it anyway. Sorry if it makes the decision more difficult.