Price for 1968 Ric 4001 with some issues...?

[Zentner]

Hello everyone!

I have a chance to purchase a 1968 Ric 4001 in Fireglo, but it has a few problems....

1. The truss rods are as tight as they go, and the action is definitely playable, but a little high for some players.
2. There is a sizeable crack down the body along the piece where the neck meets the bottom wing. The crack is from the tailpiece up to the cavity for the bridge pickup.
3. The Bridge has been switched to an allparts replacement.
4. I know at least one pot has been changed, but I would assume they've all been changed.

All else is original- Checkerboard binding, original pickups, etc.

I know this is a tough thing to place a value on.... but is this worth while? I already own a '73 4001 JG that is nearly flawless, so the '68 wouldn't be my main player bass- it's more of a cool thing to have.


Can anyone give some insight as to whether this is worth buying? I'd think about Finding an original era-correct ric bridge on Ebay (I'm patient) and getting it back to 'as stock as possible'

Ideas? Comments?

[Zentner]

Oooh...I forgot to mention... A badass bridge was on the bass at one point, and it has been routed for that. The cavity is completely covered by a rickenbacker bridge, however.

[antipodean]

Any Pics?

Without any real idea of teh condition of the abss, I'm flying by the seat of my pants, so take the following with agrain or two of salt!

The issues you mention don't sound terminal. The relief issue may be solved by using low-tension strings, but you would need an expert opinion upon inspection of the bass. Assuming it's repairable, my assumptions are:

- Base level - a good original condition example (ie not mint or excellent - lots of wear but all the parts intact) would bring $5k to $6k - but they are so seldom seen that it's a bit of a lottery;
- A refin/restoration (which sounds like it is required) would roughly knock 33% off the value, so let's assume we're looking at a value of ~ $3.3k - $4k after restoration;
- The correct tailpiece will set you back ~ $500;
- Restoration will be of the order of $1k (very roughly!!!), depending upon any hidden issues;

This brings us to $1.8k to $ 2.5k

As a check - the pups, treble surround, TRC and tuners would be worth $1k - $1.5k if they are original. I'm hazy here on exactly when the first hi-gain treble pup was introduced, so I'm not sure if the bass should have a horse shoe or Hi-gain. The market value for an early hi-gain is $500 given the last ebay auction and a vintage horseshoe will be worth way more. That gives a carcass value of around $500 - $1k, which is not totally ludicrous.

If the damage is more severe than my assumptions or there are more hidden issues, use the hardware value as a base and add say $200-$300 for the carcass.

[chefothefuture]

I'd pay 5K in a heartbeat for it as-is. Even would consider 6K....
The last worn but original one I saw went for @ $7500....that was two years
ago. There have been some modified ones recently, but I think they went in the
mid 4s to low 5s.

Good luck on the tail piece. The aluminum ones are tough to get....

[antipodean]

I'd pay 5K in a heartbeat for it as-is. Even would consider 6K....
The last worn but original one I saw went for @ $7500....that was two years
ago. There have been some modified ones recently, but I think they went in the
mid 4s to low 5s.

Good luck on the tail piece. The aluminum ones are tough to get....

Wow - the bid on these is so variable. I was building in a bit of an "economic hard time" discount.

There's been a few auctions on '73s recently that haven't met expectations, but a collector can always step out of the shadows and the price jumps dramatically!

[wints]

Welcome Kevin,

This bass sounds typical in many ways. You see stress cracks of the body/wings due to years of tension on the very thin neck. It's probably worn high tension rounds for many years, and if you change them out for a low tension string you may be able to get some relief on the rods/action.

Does it have a horseshoe, or hi gain pick up? An original tailpiece is almost impossible to find these days. Big $$$ if one ever comes up on eBay. The C 64 tailpiece might be a short term solution.

Basically, if it's got an original finish and hardware, and it's not huge $$$, go for it. Even with the rout, under $5K is probably a good deal, with anything between $5-7K being ballpark.

Post a few pix if you can....

[jps]

Any Pics?

Without any real idea of teh condition of the abss

Here's a pic:

[jlessick]

Hello everyone!

1. The truss rods are as tight as they go, and the action is definitely playable, but a little high for some players.

Ideas? Comments?

The truss rods are not an issue. They don't work like most other basses. Tightening these truss rods does not change neck relief. The neck must be adjusted before the rods are tightened, the rods only hold the neck in place. If you search you will find proper adjusting procedure.

[Zentner]

I'll get some pictures for tonight. It also has all the typical finish checking/playwear, and a non original pickguard.

[teeder]

1968 4001's aren't exactly growing on trees. IMO, if you can afford to buy it, DO IT!

[vincent_gallo]

1968 is the most common 4001 of the 60's basses however they can be found with several different bridge pickups, pickup bobbins and bridge pickup surround variations. Some of these variations are more or less desirable to the keen students of the 60's basses. With all that said, like all collectables, the bass is only worth what someone would pay. To give you an example, I have paid $15,000 for a 100% stock, mint condition mapleglow 1968 4001 that came with a mint original case. It's a 68 but has a 67-type bobbin and surround and plays perfect with great figured maple. Had that bass had any real issues my offer for it may have only been half of that or even less. 100% straight 60's basses are tuff to find and collectors seldom sell those. Instead even serious collectors will part with their basses that have issues and so the market for those can be a little less active or strong. A 1968 Rickenbacker is cool as heck and worth owning and with original finish and pickups very cool. Buy it if you can afford it and be happy at whatever price that is.

[jakeox]

I'd think this is definitely worthwhile if the price isn't outrageous and you can afford it. Especially if it is an early '68 with the horseshoe. How often do you see one of these for sale?

With regard to the tailpiece/bridge: not only do you have to be patient, you have to be ever-vigilant and have lightning reflexes. On the rare occasion that they come up for sale, they do not last long. I scored one for my '72 restoration project that has two extra screw holes drilled in it (for who knows what reason), and I was ecstatic to get it.

And if you decide against buying it, I'm sure there are other people here who would be interested!

[Zentner]

Thanks for the warm welcome and all the replies. You've all been really helpful!

http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/Ze ... ck%204001/

Here's a link to my photobucket /w pics of the ric. Looks like All the Electronics are original (which is SWEET!) but the bridge pickup is the hi gain. The neck is alot more flat than I remember it being actually.. it's quite comfortable to play. I guess all I'd really need is to Give that crack some love, and find an old bridge and pickguard (and pickup cover if I'm lucky?)

I might also be able to get the original pickguard, though it's cracked, and missing part of it I believe.... would this actually even add to the value?

Thoughts? Comments?




Edit:

I'll add that I don't think the case is original, but inside is the ring that the badass was mounted on to on the top of the guitar. Whoever did that could've done a worse job actually, and the bass LOOKS like it should with a reissue tailpiece.

Also.. it reads HL On the serial.. so December 1968.

[1965]

password?

[Zentner]

Oooh yikes... let me post some pics then, hahhaa I'm a total retard.

The last picture shows exactly what that crack looks like.