Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hello RIC Resource Forum.

I joined the forum a few days ago, so I guess this serves as my "Hello World" post.

It's been one week since I attended the SCARF. I was very impressed with my experience there, on many levels. There were a bunch of very friendly, patient, and knowledgeable folks and I learned a lot from them. I was also overwhelmed with the number, variety, quality, and beauty of the guitars that were being displayed. Next time, I'll bring a bib to catch the drool. There was usually a bunch of jangling going on in the background, which served as a good soundtrack to the event.

I brought a 1973 4001 MG with me for evaluation by the resident experts. I had given the bass to my band's drummer back in 1977/78, who said he could improve the sound of it for me. I know..... all my credibility has been destroyed and it's my first post! The bass came back 2 weeks later with a number of mods, including a BadAss bridge, addition of a HI-A (Bartolini) bridge pickup, a toggle on the pickguard for the HI-A, Schaller tuners, and 2 string holddown trees (one through the TRC). At the time, I thought that the BadAss and Schallers were truly improvements, but was unhappy with the HI-A, the toggle, and the string trees. It took me 31 years to find out that he had cracked or broken the pickguard. Some astute forum members at the SCARF noticed the 1" neck pickup spacing and asked me about it. When I got home, I checked my scrapbooks for pictures of the bass prior to my meeting this particular drummer. Yup, it had the 1/2" spacing in the pictures. I am planning to sell this bass to make room (and cash) for a new 360/12 MG (possibly FG). I'll post the 'for sale' soon.

Here's my question: why would a large dealer offer a price that was three hundred lower on a 360/12 FG? The other 3 colors are at the higher price. Is it a case of the green slime, perhaps, or a return, or some other questionable reason? Are the majority of this model made in FG?

Thanks for all replies. beatbyrd in SoCal

I never came across that. I think most places charge the same price for any standard factory color. I know when purchasing a Midnite Blue 320/12 a month or so back the guy at Musicians Friend was trying to push the FG but wasn't lowering the price.

Welcome to the forum...

He wanted to move the FG, it seems, Tom.

Good talking to you at SCARF!

Welcome to the forum, Tom. It was nice meeting you at SCARF.

I saw that 360/12FG too, that was a good price! Sometimes they just do that... I do a lot of business with MF. This recession is a good time to have some cash or (free) credit allocated to instrument buying.

Tom, welcome to the forum... drooling is allowd as long as it doesn't get on the instruments or other forumites! I didn't meet you at SCARF so you have any pictures of your bass?

There were some mighty fine looking instruments at the SCARF. And, like most of the rest of this bunch, I fell victim to 'the syndrome'. I was planning to wait until next February/March to get the 360/12, but after SCARF, I have far less patience and WANT IT NOW!!!!!

I'll post pics of my bass when I put up the 'for sale' post. I'm not expecting any real interest from the forum, but I was advised to put it here first, so I'll try that before it hits the 'Bay. I followed a PW refinish thread last night and having a refinish done is also a possibility. The guy is a true magician with regards to guitar refinishes. Dumb newbie question...... did Paul ever work for RIC? If so and in 1973, my bass was handled by him at some point. The name
"Paul' and '4001-E' is scribbled in the routing under the pickguard and I'm guessing it doesn't mean that the bass was built for Mr. McCartney.....

Tom