Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Since I need advice that will affect me in my 'golden years' I figured I'd come to the best place with the most knowledge. Most of you know that I purchased a 2010 4003 Fireglo in April. I also just purchased a 2009 4004Cii Fireglo a week ago. The main, but not the only, reason I purchased both of these Ricks is because of their resale value. I figured if I'm gonna play bass in gigs twice a week, I might as well play something that will give me a profit after I'm too old to play anymore. (I'm 56 now ) Now I know both of the Ricks I have now will do that, but here's what I'm considering. There is a guy on TB who has a sweet 4008 4004L Mapleglo that is flawless for 1490 shipped. I'm wondering if I would benefit (long term) from having the Cheyenne and the Laredo, as opposed to the Cheyenne and the 4003? Opinions? Advice?

Jack

I wouldn't hold my breath. Vintage ones are the only ones most likely to really appreciate enough to make it worth your while. There will always be someone selling a recent standard production model cheaper than you.

jdogric12 wrote:I wouldn't hold my breath. Vintage ones are the only ones most likely to really appreciate enough to make it worth your while. There will always be someone selling a recent standard production model cheaper than you.

Questions:

Define your understanding of vintage.

So, are you saying that it really wouldn't make a difference?

Jack

Every 4003 I've sold has gone for a profit.

The 2 4004's I owned and sold both went a loss.

spongebob wrote:Every 4003 I've sold has gone for a profit.

The 2 4004's I owned and sold both went a loss.

Cheyennes or Laredos or one of each?

If you go the investment route, you buy something like a 1964 4001 because it's already rare as hell and quite valuable, and will appreciate in value year after year. It has construction that won't be duplicated and components that are no longer produced. And the fact it's a 40-50-xx year old instrument that still plays only adds to the mystique.

There are, relatively speaking, a ton of 2010 4003s out there, compared to the very occasional late-60s 4001, etc. The instruments you bought will probably make you your money back someday, but not much more...unless you wait 50 years or until the instruments you own are no longer produced and can be considered rare old time capsules...

Let me clarify and say that I'm not expecting to make thousands of dollars on these guitars. I am just looking to make a profit 20 years down the road. What I am basing this on, is the fact that the Ricks of the 70s and 80s were being sold retail, from what I've been told, for 6-8 hundred. They are now selling, near mint condition, for 15-17 hundred. Most of that is based upon inflation and what the new ones are going for now. I have to assume, if I keep these near mint, and sell them 20 years from now, God willing, I should be able to make some amount of profit, based upon inflation alone. No?

jack1953 wrote:I have to assume, if I keep these near mint, and sell them 20 years from now, God willing, I should be able to make some amount of profit, based upon inflation alone. No?

I don't know, maybe...who can say what will be happening 20 years from now? Your bass could be worth $5k or nothing. I just think that buying a Rick now, then selling it 20 years down the road, after gigging with it in the interim AND trying to keep it minty, in the hopes of making a profit, is kind of a long and somewhat pointless endeavor.

Of course I only sell one to get another one, and plan on keeping the ones I really like until I'm gone, so what do I know?

badeggs wrote:

jack1953 wrote:I have to assume, if I keep these near mint, and sell them 20 years from now, God willing, I should be able to make some amount of profit, based upon inflation alone. No?

I don't know, maybe...who can say what will be happening 20 years from now? Your bass could be worth $5k or nothing. I just think that buying a Rick now, then selling it 20 years down the road, after gigging with it in the interim AND trying to keep it minty, in the hopes of making a profit, is kind of a long and somewhat pointless endeavor.

Of course I only sell one to get another one, and plan on keeping the ones I really like until I'm gone, so what do I know?

Great point! Life is a gamble and I know that assuming is, what it is.....a guess. I guess the REAL bottom line is that I feel secure that I can sell the 4003 and buy the 4004L and make a small profit now. Playing a guitar I like and I am comfortable with, and see how things play out.
Gee I love this forum!

jack1953 wrote:... I figured if I'm gonna play bass in gigs twice a week, I might as well play something that will give me a profit after I'm too old to play anymore. (I'm 56 now ) Now I know both of the Ricks I have now will do that, but here's what I'm considering. ...benefit (long term) from having the Cheyenne and the Laredo, as opposed to the Cheyenne and the 4003? Opinions? Advice?

First part of your question: IMHO to get a reasonable profit the period will be too long for your lifetime I guess.
Anyway, in Germany we have a word: "The last shirt you wear does not have any pockets!"

Second part of your question: IMHO (and I had both at the same time) there is no considerable difference in handling and sound of the Cheyenne II and the Laredo

So, however your choices now!

jack1953 wrote:Playing a guitar I like and I am comfortable with, and see how things play out.

That's the right outlook!!!

Hey Jack,

I've owned a good number of RIC'S over the years.

The only advice I can give you is PLAY WHAT YOU LIKE, and let the $$$$ factor just be what it will be.

YES, agreed, OLDER VINTAGE RICS are scarce and go up all the time. Even the mid 70's RICS through attrition, improper use, insane X Wives, you name it....there numbers just diminished, hence supply vs. demand plus basic cost of living just brought the price of a $450.00 dollar 4001 in the mid 70's to where they are now.

I've got a feeling the new 4003's will last even longer than those old 4001's with the new manufacturing techniques and materials.

When I ordered my 4004cii Blueburst, I KNEW that IF I ever sold it, I'd take a hit. BUT, that being said, that isn't what I bought it for! The "investment" potential wasn't even a consideration. I bought it to play the heck out of it. I paid a premium at the time, just about 2K. When the day comes that I can't play anymore, I'll worry about it...for now, I'm just loving making music with it. You can't put a price on that.

The way I see it is that you pick your instrument for the music whatever year it is. Its all about your personal preferences. If you want to make an investment, buy a vintage instrument and watch it go up in price even in a recession. If the sound you find in a new bass is what you want, then enjoy. I think that if you are 76 twenty years later, will you even care?

As long as we're on the topic of collectibility and resalability down the road, what do you guys think about the 75th Anniversary instruments as an investment?

I'm kind of thinking that 4004's, being almost rare, will be worth more than a standard production 4003 over time.
Look at what happened to the 480 guitars.. nobody wanted one when they were in production. (which I can understand completely - there - I said it)
Still, they fetch quite some money these days.