FS: 1973 Rickenbacker 4001 Jetglo

[Ron Plichta]

This one is a tough one to sell, but the reality is I'm not playing as much electric bass as I used to and this was solely bought as a "collector" bass. I think it's time for someone else who appreciates fine basses to have this one.

I bought it in 2005 from Fretted Americana and it's spent most of its time stored in its case. It's an immaculate Jetglo, serial numbered ME 1631 (May '73). As all you Ric aficionados know, '73 was a transition year for the 4001. This one has many of the pre-transition features, such as checkered binding, split tailpiece, toaster pickup and wavy Grover tuners.

As far as I can tell (and several folks around me agree), the finish is original. The .0047 bridge pickup capacitor has been removed. It's fully-functional electronically, although I suspect the input jack may have a loose solder connection.

It comes with the correct-period case, which is in pretty rough shape. It's still functional, just nothing to look at.

My asking price is $4,000. I don't need any more gear, so I'm not accepting any trade offers. I would prefer to sell it locally to the Washington, DC area. I don't mind driving a short distance to meet a buyer, but I am hesitant to ship it.

[scowboy]

Wow pretty much the holy grail of Ric's in my book. Right there folks and a reasonable asking price too.

[AtomicPunk]

Bump for a great guy to buy a Rickenbacker from!

[TwoGearGeeks]

Great looking bass! Among the other desirable features, you have a cast aluminum "gap tooth" bridge, and full width (although not "crushed pearl") inlays.

[Ron Plichta]

Thanks for pointing those out. I forgot to mention the inlays.

From what I've read, Rickenbacker started transitioning to a "newer" style over the summer of '73 and changed the tuners, binding, inlays, etc. This one is probably close to the last of the pretransition era Rics, although one could argue that this one is a transition from the 60's era ones with the "horseshoe" pickup.

[Ron Plichta]

I'm open to shipping if necessary, but will drive between Petersburg, VA and Philadelphia to meet a buyer.

[Max]

Wow. What a bass.

I saw some old film some time ago on how they made checkered binding. That in and of itself was a work of art.

[mikeddd]

That's the cleanest "old Ric" I've ever seen. Simply stunning. I don't play Rics but if I had the dough I'd buy this JUST to say I have it. Gorgeous. GLWTS.

[Ricnroll]

Bump, looks like it is in beatuful shape.

[Floyd Eye]

Droool!!!

[FranF]

Pm'ed!

[Ron Plichta]

Back to the top.

[marksrick]

BTW GLWTS: JG ROCKS: ALWAYS REMINDS ME OF THE EARLY BEATLES " TELL ME WHY"

IS THAT 4,000.00 IN YEN BY ANY CHANCE?

[Ron Plichta]

Originally Posted by marksrick

IS THAT 4,000.00 IN YEN BY ANY CHANCE?

I could always make it Euros. ;-)

[A-Step-Towards]

Wow, thats the prettiest rick I have seen in awhile.The finish is like a mirror

[Ron Plichta]

Well folks, thanks to some other potential deals I have going on and the realization that I'd probably kick myself in the butt in the future if I let this go, I'm pulling it off the market.

Thanks for all the kind comments. It's truly a remarkable bass.

[Ron Plichta]

I've decided to put this bass back on the market.

[Ron Plichta]

Sunday Morning Bump.

[Ron Plichta]

To the top.

[Ron Plichta]

Early March Bump