Page 1 of 2
Early Azure 4001s...
Posted: Sat Apr 09, 2011 5:56 am
by henry5
Looking at the Rick Register I note there seem to be very few Azures pre-'73, something I'm sure most of us are aware of.
In '72 there are 4 listed; mine (finally!

) ,the one that used to belong to Mike G, Darren's refin (was it previously refin-d from an original Azure or was the previous colour the original colour?) and one other. Simon Mole also has one IIRC, unless he sold it and it's the other one showing (Simon? Would you be able to advise?).
There's one '71, which I would absolutely
love to see pics of (no idea who that belongs to), and one '67. I know Paul did an AZ refin of a bass from around that period; is this the same bass or is it an original AZ (or was it an original AZ that was then restored by Paul?). There is nothing prior.
As it's my favourite finish in many ways I'm just curious to get the facts straight and also can't help wondering if anyone has seen any others in their time.
Re: Early Azure 4001s...
Posted: Sat Apr 09, 2011 8:05 am
by opticnerve
I sold a 1970 Azureglo 4001 back in 2000. Unfortunately I don't have any pics or the
serial #...but I recently found the consignment receipt. It was sold to Tim Butler
of The Psychedelic Furs.
Oh, the pain!

Re: Early Azure 4001s...
Posted: Sat Apr 09, 2011 8:10 am
by T.A.R.
Oh Tony, Ouch
Re: Early Azure 4001s...
Posted: Sat Apr 09, 2011 8:11 am
by opticnerve
T.A.R. wrote:Oh Tony, Ouch
Yeah Ted, that one hurts!
Re: Early Azure 4001s...
Posted: Sat Apr 09, 2011 2:00 pm
by henry5
A '70?

I'll bet it does!
Re: Early Azure 4001s...
Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2011 6:53 pm
by wints
Yeah, that was a rare one Tony! Still, a solid price for the day. There was also that really clean '72 4000 that was on eBay in Germany IIRC, back around '03/04.
Re: Early Azure 4001s...
Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2011 9:12 pm
by nov_1981
wints wrote:Yeah, that was a rare one Tony! Still, a solid price for the day. There was also that really clean '72 4000 that was on eBay in Germany IIRC, back around '03/04.
Its not the one Andrew remembers but here's my here's my 72 4000
http://www.rickresource.com/register/vi ... lebrity%3D
Re: Early Azure 4001s...
Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2011 9:59 pm
by opticnerve
WOW Robert....gorgeous!!! It looks pretty minty too.
Re: Early Azure 4001s...
Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2011 10:13 pm
by FretlessOnly
opticnerve wrote:Oh, the pain!
And the irony of selling it through
Main Drag Music.
Re: Early Azure 4001s...
Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2011 1:34 pm
by henry5
I agreed to sell my V63 to buy that German 4000 only to have it sell out from under my nose. Lovely guitar.
Robert, yours is a beaut too. Love those early 4000s, especially in that colour.
Re: Early Azure 4001s...
Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2011 6:40 pm
by nov_1981
opticnerve wrote:WOW Robert....gorgeous!!! It looks pretty minty too.
Yeah she's in pretty good shape. Supposedly (per Olivia's) she was found in the back of a music store unplayed
I'm sure that somebody must have played it through the years because it did show a tiny bit a fret ware and it did have round wound strings on it when I received it but all and all it was and still is pretty close to minty
BTW.. it has received some additional play ware since I've had it

Re: Early Azure 4001s...
Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2011 7:03 pm
by nov_1981
WOW, speaking of Olivia's here's another Azure beauty.
http://cgi.ebay.com/1982-Rickenbacker-4 ... 1e62e7aef1
Looks like it has some old Ric flats on it as well.
Re: Early Azure 4001s...
Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2011 6:47 am
by cheyenne
Thats about as nice as they come, not even a mark on the case. Looks like the action is a little high though.
Re: Early Azure 4001s...
Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2011 1:31 pm
by simonmole
mine's still 'ere somewhere!!! I'd never sell a blue one!!!!!!!!
Re: Early Azure 4001s...
Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2011 8:12 pm
by maplered
I remember seeing a 68 4001 in Azureglo advertised for sale at San Diego Guitar over 10 years ago. I saw the ad in a vintage guitar mag. I didn't see the bass in person and didn't even see pics. I remember calling on it to see if it was still for sale but it was sold.

They also had a 66 4001 in Mapleglo and I bought that instead.

I would love to see a real Azureglo 4001 w/ a HS pickup.