Selling your rarest bass ?

[gareth]

I was thinking about this the other day. Everyone has a price, so what would it take to get me to part with the rarest basses I have ? (Not that I intend to).

To weasel my LK out of me, I'd be more inclined to swap than just accept money, so what would it have to be ? I think it would have to be a very nice early 4005 or RM1999 (with cash adjustment).

For the CS, it would have to be a nice 71 or 72 with CB, FWMOP.

Funnily enough, I don't think I could bear to part with the '74 jetglo at any price. It's just too good of a workhorse player. They're all tools of the trade really, but that's my go to hammer live.

[ajish4]

Hmmm,

This could be dangerous!

"rarest" or most dear?

My RAREST bass is my 71 4001 BG but I would part with it before my CS. Years ago, I turned down a 10K for my CS but it does have a special sentimental value to it. Besides it being my FIRST RIC, and a tribute to the man who is the reason I play at all... the family member who helped made it happen has passed away....so long as I have breath in me, it stays.

The 71...............IDK, possibly a 4002 with a THIN neck or Andy's 64 RM!

[rickaddict]

Funnily enough, I don't think I could bear to part with the '74 jetglo at any price. It's just too good of a workhorse player. They're all tools of the trade really, but that's my go to hammer live.

I think you've summed it up for me right there. As long as I keep a go-to bass or two, selling the rare ones wouldn't be such a big deal for me.

[brycycle]

10K for a CS?! still have that guy's contact info?

once back in my hands from Paul's workshop, my '66 1999RM would be the hardest to pry-away...except for another in original condition.

Hmmm,

This could be dangerous!

"rarest" or most dear?

My RAREST bass is my 71 4001 BG but I would part with it before my CS. Years ago, I turned down a 10K for my CS but it does have a special sentimental value to it. Besides it being my FIRST RIC, and a tribute to the man who is the reason I play at all... the family member who helped made it happen has passed away....so long as I have breath in me, it stays.

[atomic_punk]

One thing I have learned is that no matter how treasured an instrument is, you CAN live without it.
I've had several that I died a little inside when I shipped them off, but you keep going and find another to play. It'll be ok.

[weemac]

One thing I have learned is that no matter how treasured an instrument is, you CAN live without it.
I've had several that I died a little inside when I shipped them off, but you keep going and find another to play. It'll be ok.

I agree! There is such a thing as healthy regret. (along with the other types)

Eden.

[cassius987]

I can't picture life without my 4003FL! Also... if I had a 4002 I'd cling to it for dear life. Pretty much anything else is dispensable in my mind.

[gareth]

I can't picture life without my 4003FL! Also... if I had a 4002 I'd cling to it for dear life. Pretty much anything else is dispensable in my mind.

Actually, now I think about it, I could be sort of persuaded to part with the LK for a nice dark burst 4002 also.

I miss every bass I've every sold really, except maybe my Wal. I loved it at the time, but listening to it now, it's avery 80's sounding bass. A beautifully made and playable instrument though.

[leftybass]

Nope. Not selling here....

[Tarrbot]

I'd die inside a bit if I sold my only Ric... the 4003S/5 I have.

As much as the 4003S/5s are dogged by people for being too tight on the spacing, it's still an awesome bass. I play fingerstyle and love it. Sure it took some adjustments to play it well enough but I play it when I can. (Until this month, I used to say 'play it daily' but work has gotten in the way of that recently).

Would I sell it? Yes, begrudgingly. I love this thing but family and bills definitely come first. I'd be selling everything else before that though.

[woodyng]

well i did sell a 4002 only to get a cii.......no regrets,given the situ. i also hated it when i sold my 67 epiphone embassy and my 68 fender telecaster bass,because they WERE rare and wonderful instruments,but i found i am happier with less stuff to keep up with....i think i could sell/trade the 4000 for a laredo without a huge amount of regret,as long as i could get some scatterwound toasters on the laredo.....

[Lefty4003S8]

Nope. Not selling here....

John,

MUST you tease another lefty with such "Bass Porn"????


Lefty4003S8

[basse]

One thing I have learned is that no matter how treasured an instrument is, you CAN live without it.
I've had several that I died a little inside when I shipped them off, but you keep going and find another to play. It'll be ok.

I have to agree with you Steve. Over the years I've sold things that I kick myself over like how in the '80s I sold my '62 P-bass and my '64 Jazz bass. Then there were the '68 4001 (one of the first without a horseshoe), a 72 JG 4001, a '76 AG 4001...

I think the one that hurt me the most (but I did get over it) was selling my '65 (or was it a '66?) 4005. But I needed to clear some debt that was more important to the family and it went to a great guy who's taking phenomenal care of it. Thanks Steve (Wood)! So, I'm OK with it now.

I'm back up to 2 Rics now and I think I'm at the point where I'd safely say that neither will be going anywhere unless something dramatic happens, the 4002 is one of my faves and the 4000 will be heading off to see Paul W. for a refin once a spot opens in his calendar. I think I've got about 2 of the rarest Rics (still would love a RM) I could hope to find but I do have higher priorities in making my kids happy and keeping the family safe. If it came down to it, I'd probably get rid of anything if I had to for them. You can always find another guitar, but you can't let something mess with your kids' future.

However, that said I'd probably let my all but one of my "other" basses (the ACG) go first before the Rics were considered!

[leftybass]

Although not a Rickenbacker, this one is a lifer as well.....

[superdick2112]

I already sold my rarest 2 basses almost 22 years ago, and it pains me a little more each year. I owned two 4080s - one in Mapleglo, & one in white. I don't miss the white one - it had a rubber band bass neck, & the finish was very yellowed and badly peeling. The Mapleglo, however, was perfect. As I recall, I paid around $700 each, and sold them for around $900 each, always thinking I could find another one some day. Fast-forward 22 years, and they are now so rare & expensive, I doubt I'll ever be in the position to own one again. There have been others - I miss my Azureglo 4001, my Steinberger L-2 and my '75 Dakota Red fretless P-Bass, but none that I regret selling as much as my Mapleglo 4080. J.H. has stated that he doubts Ric will ever produce the 4080 again, but I do wish they would make a new Ric doubleneck based on the 4004Cii/Dakota combination.