Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I would normally post this in the "Appraisals" section, but thought it would get more attention here, and the bass in question is not mine -- just one I am possibly interested in acquiring.

I saw it today and it is a September, 1974, 4001. Not being a bass player, I assume it's a 4001. It is missing the tuners, neck pick-up, and electronics. It has a cracked headstock. The crack goes length-wise an inch or two from the nut downward and inward. No pics - sorry! It looks like it could be repaired without major issue. There is also a cavity on the back that appears to be made for a 9-volt battery. There is no visible hole for a wire to go through to the electronics, so it's a bit of a mystery to me what that is for. It appears to be "professionally" done.

I am curious as to the (#1)current value of the bass, as well as (#2) what the value would be once put in playable condition. The finish is actually good, and no re-finishing would be necessary.

I don't think the owner is interested in selling. A couple of years ago I inquired about it and they said that RIC is sending parts. They said the same thing today. I don't think any "parts" are coming. They also said that restored, it is worth $3,000-$4,000.00, since it is a '70's Rick bass. I offered $500 as-is and was laughed at.

So I don't know why they are holding on to this bass -- there must be "more" to the story. Could have been owned by someone famous - very possible - but I don't think so. I don't play bass, but would like a project to have some fun with and maybe learn bass in the process. I have a '66 Rick guitar pickup I think would work in the neck (?), so getting the rest of the parts should be relatively easy, I would think. I don't think that the neck is that big of an issue, but I'm not willing to bet big money on it, either.

Thoughts? --Jeff.

Dunno, $500 seems fine to me considering the missing parts and the split in the 'stock. And it was routed...sounds like a mess, frankly!

Era-wise it should have hi-gains (or hi-gain in this case), poured inlays, zinc tailpiece/bridge. Maybe red dots but if it's a late '74 then probably not. So nothing super-valuable in the hardware department. Pics would obviously help here...what color is it?

4k restored? You should laugh twice as hard back at them.

It's a Mapleglo. It was made in the Sept/October timeframe.

To complete the restoration you need at least:

70s Neck Hi-Gain - $200 (you have a 60s toaster, so you can maybe skip this one)
Set of Grover Slimline Tuners - $200 (it may have had reverse Klusons)
Wiring Harness (period-correct) - $100-150

...and anything else it might need - how are the truss rods? How's the pickguard? Is just the harness missing, or do you need the knobs/switch too? And you gotta fix the neck crack and the rout (if you choose to). Maybe get it refinished after either or both repairs.

A complete late-74 or 75 4001 should fetch around $1500-$2000 nowadays. Maybe up your offer to, say, $700 for it as-is, depending on how far you want to take it. But that would be my ceiling. And I'm guessing they wouldn't accept that offer either, since they're sitting on such a "gold mine" and all.

Yeah, what a gold mine...


I bought a '76 4001 Azureglo about 2 years ago with a repaired neck crack, everything else all original, definitely used, chips and dings, but pretty good in general, definitely playable, and no extra holes either.

So, there's a '70s bass, in a somewhat rare color even. Did I pay $3000-$4000? Nope. I paid $700.

So yeah, with all that's wrong with that bass, I'd say $700 is definitely about the top of what I'd consider paying...

I agree with the pricing assessment, so far. The toaster you have would be great in that bass, especially so, if the neck pickup route allows for the ½" pickup spacing to the neck.

Sounds like the seller has been drinking the Ebay kool-aid for pricing. If i thought i could get $3000 or more for my '74 4000,it would be gone!

A '74 4001 MG in excellent original condition should be around $1,400 - $1,600, not $3000. IMHO your offer of $500 for the poor battered hulk was generous....

antipodean wrote:IMHO your offer of $500 for the poor battered hulk was generous....

I agree. $500 for a bass in that condition (especially the back rout), the cracked neck, and no parts is generous. I would have laughed at the $3-4000 too.

I would pass on this over $500. If you want a wrecked 70's Rick bass to work on, just keep an eye on eBay and you'll see them.