Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

This has been on my mind for a while. I was thinking about selling my 2008 4004Cii trans blue. And then looking for a trans red one of the same model.
But I love my bass, he's been with me most of the time I've been playing. His sound is amazing, and I don't think I can part with him. But I don't definitely don't dig the blue anymore.
So *please don't hate me* I've been thinking of getting him refinished in red, the same red of the trans reds, but it would obviously be a solid colour.
But I need more info on this.

Everythinggoes wrote:This has been on my mind for a while. I was thinking about selling my 2008 4004Cii trans blue. And then looking for a trans red one of the same model.
But I love my bass, he's been with me most of the time I've been playing. His sound is amazing, and I don't think I can part with him. But I don't definitely don't dig the blue anymore.
So *please don't hate me* I've been thinking of getting him refinished in red, the same red of the trans reds, but it would obviously be a solid colour.
But I need more info on this.

No shame in that! If you really like the bass and plan on keeping it then by all means have a refin done. I'm sure our Oz contingent can recommend someone down there who can give you a high quality finish.

Why would you have to go with a solid finish?

Price vary, but FWIW I paid $400US for a good quality aged nitro refinish on a 1965 Fender Jaguar. The work was done by an up-and-coming Nashville-based builder whose guitars are played by Keith Urban on tour nightly. Since that was body-only and the Rick would need the neck and headstock done as well, you would almost certainly be looking at a little more then that.

Cool, thanks for the info, I will go and ask on the oz part of the forum.
I don't know, I just assumed I would have to go with a solid colour?

sloop_john_b wrote:No shame in that! If you really like the bass and plan on keeping it then by all means have a refin done. I'm sure our Oz contingent can recommend someone down there who can give you a high quality finish.

Why would you have to go with a solid finish?

+1

Everythinggoes wrote:Cool, thanks for the info, I will go and ask on the oz part of the forum.
I don't know, I just assumed I would have to go with a solid colour?

No way! The blue paint will be stripped off leaving the bare wood - you can go anywhere you want from there. Though there could be an issue if the blue has seeped into the wood too much. One of our forum members had this issue on a bass that used to be Midnight Blue.

My vote is to sell the blue one and buy a red one.

It would just be so much less hassle and less wasted money and resources that way. And there's a good chance that after all of the time, energy, money, thought, etc. that went into a refin...you might not be happy with the results anyway.

rickaddict wrote:My vote is to sell the blue one and buy a red one.

It would just be so much less hassle and less wasted money and resources that way. And there's a good chance that after all of the time, energy, money, thought, etc. that went into a refin...you might not be happy with the results anyway.

I would agree with this usually Jeff, but Trans Red 4004's are simply not readily available and it could be many, many years before we even see another run.

rickaddict wrote:My vote is to sell the blue one and buy a red one.

It would just be so much less hassle and less wasted money and resources that way. And there's a good chance that after all of the time, energy, money, thought, etc. that went into a refin...you might not be happy with the results anyway.

I gotta agree with Jeff. I have seen some horrid refins performed by some so-called experts. Plus, your 2008 likely has a few layers of tough polyester sealer underneath it, so stripping it would be nasty business. Unless Paul W is willing to open a shop in Oz, I would recommend getting the new bass.

sloop_john_b wrote:

rickaddict wrote:My vote is to sell the blue one and buy a red one.

It would just be so much less hassle and less wasted money and resources that way. And there's a good chance that after all of the time, energy, money, thought, etc. that went into a refin...you might not be happy with the results anyway.

I would agree with this usually Jeff, but Trans Red 4004's are simply not readily available and it could be many, many years before we even see another run.

Familiar with the Music Zoo? Pick your 4004 color there.

Forgot you're in Oz. 4004 TR's do come up from time to time, it won't be years before we do another run of them. We usually do them all around NAMM time.

RIC_FACTORY wrote: Familiar with the Music Zoo? Pick your 4004 color there.

Are they allowed to sell overseas?

No they are not (I forgot his location). We make 4004's every year though. There is a TG on Ebay right now.

I wouldn't be surprised to see more pop up soon.

Mella, do you have any pictures of your trans blue 4004Cii to share?

rickenbrother wrote:Mella, do you have any pictures of your trans blue 4004Cii to share?

+1, would love to see it! These have always been thin on the ground.

A couple of points:

1. The going price for a Rick refinish these days is more than twice the $400 that JB quotes (not just from me, either) for a Jag body. (Oddly, I do Jag bodies for less than $400.00...)

2. Going from Trans Blue to Trans Red could be a problem. I have never stripped a Trans Blue 4004, but have done a few BGs, and there's a chance that the color could stain the maple deeply enough to make a solid color the only option.

I'd advise selling the blue--a rare color, and buying a red--rare, also. Time and patience are the factors here.

RIC_FACTORY wrote:...(I forgot his location)...

That would be her location.