The necks are more stable on the new ones. The old 4001's actually went out of warranty if you deviated from the Electro Bass strings that were stock at the time. They were great flat wound strings though - very similar to TI's.
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Buying a Ricky... need advice!
- Thread starter Lluctupman
- Start date
That looks VERY white for it's age - yer sure it's not a re-fin? If it plays good, I'd say "go for it"... 
White Rick's look great. I saw a guy playing one at an outdoor gig a few weeks ago - same black pickguard. They were doing Motown type stuff and it sounded just like a P-Bass. Needless to say, I was impressed.
I’m not arguing with anyone here that the bass in question is overpriced - that’s over $2,800 in America. I’m also not arguing about the wisdom of buying a new or newer Ric.
The only thing I wonder about - as the owner of a ‘79 bought when it was new - is that the neck width on some of the new ones are too fat. This is quasi-scientific, but at least half of the new ones I’ve tried in stores are too thick and don’t feel as nice as my ‘79.
The only thing I wonder about - as the owner of a ‘79 bought when it was new - is that the neck width on some of the new ones are too fat. This is quasi-scientific, but at least half of the new ones I’ve tried in stores are too thick and don’t feel as nice as my ‘79.
IME, when everything is working and set up properly, the hairpin style rods allow for a more stable neck, particularly, the ones with the shedua strip down the middle of the neck. I have owned several of each with old and new rods, so again, IME.
To the OP, looks like a great bass but I agree with everyone here, the price is at least 1/3 too high.
Teijo K.
Commercial User
Rickenbacker prices in continental U.S. and Europe are two completely different things. Granted I have been looking those really closely less than a year, but really. It would be cheaper for me to buy a new Rickenbacker from U.S. have it shipped to Finland, pay 4% customs and 24% taxes than to buy it from the closest European dealer that has some actually in stock. Well in theory naturally since U.S. dealers do not sell anything Rickenbacker to Europe.
But really. Not a great deal, but its close by and you get to try it before buying. By European standards still within reason. Really close to what a new 4003S costs here.
I actually have been looking for a great deal on a Rickenbacker since I started playing bass in the late eighties. Not all the time, but I started looking before we had an internet. Nothing came up.
But really. Not a great deal, but its close by and you get to try it before buying. By European standards still within reason. Really close to what a new 4003S costs here.
I actually have been looking for a great deal on a Rickenbacker since I started playing bass in the late eighties. Not all the time, but I started looking before we had an internet. Nothing came up.
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Yes, regularly, possibly too regularly!
When I started playing, the Ric was my "ultimate" bass. I managed to get one after about 20 years of playing (affordability, delays due to hearing the horror stories about them etc.), and loved it. Unfortunately, when the financial crisis hit, it became a "luxury commodity" and was worth more than I paid for it. After an age of putting it off, the financial reality hit home, and it simply had to go.
I now own a Faker (or three!
), because I can't afford to get a Ric, but I still watch the market place very closely. Last year, the price of a new 4003 and an older 4001 were about the same in the UK market. Earlier this year, the UK Distributer raised the UK RRP for new Rickenbackers, backed up by the low supply numbers. Demand is still there, but supply is lagging, driving up the price of the new instruments. At the moment, buying an older Ric is the cheapest way just now. Market prices in the UK are as described in my earlier posts.At the moment, it is also cheaper to import a Rickenbacker from the US (including import costs and taxes) than it is to buy a new instrument in the UK. Especially when you look at the second hand market in the US.
A used 4003 in excellent condition should cost around EUR 1800 shipped after taxes and duty - in fact I know of one or two at reputable dealers in Japan that should work around that price, but you don't get to try before you buy, which sounds like a deal-breaker for you.
In any event EU prices make me cry - they're almost as bad as Oz.
In any event EU prices make me cry - they're almost as bad as Oz.
Teijo K.
Commercial User
Buying from Japan means + shipping + taxes + customs. 1800 + 500 or 600 about.
Michael Schreiber
Commercial User
@Lluctupman : I have also bought a '77 Ric (Jetglo). As @Teijo K. said, take taxes and toll into account when comparing prices at other markets, especially the US. That being said, my '77 is worth every cent. These are the most important factors to me:
1. Fast neck in terms of feel and shape/profile
2. It growls greatly in the mids/low mids
3. Aged wood - some may laugh, yet, try it yourself. Also, having survived that long, the whole instrument is proven-in use.
To me, a well maintained '70s Ric has a lot of advantages over newer ones.
If you like the sound and feel, go for it.
1. Fast neck in terms of feel and shape/profile
2. It growls greatly in the mids/low mids
3. Aged wood - some may laugh, yet, try it yourself. Also, having survived that long, the whole instrument is proven-in use.
To me, a well maintained '70s Ric has a lot of advantages over newer ones.
If you like the sound and feel, go for it.
Teijo K.
Commercial User
I had a chance at buying a seventies Ric. It was just around 2500 € asking price. The guy sold it in two weeks. Needless to say not to me.
I have a 77 and you are correct.....the neck is to die for!
I bought my first 4001, a mapleglo in 1977 brand new at EU Wurlitzers in Boston for 429.00 with case, my 79, also a mapleglo has a nice neck. Early 4003's (later 80's) are pretty much like 4001's with different truss rods, early 4003's (80-mid 84) just have the hair pin truss rods reversed.
Ha! Bought my 4001 Jetglo in 79' at EU Wurlitzer, $450 with case. They had a stack of them in those days, I tried a bunch and picked the one with the thinnest neck. I can't imagine walking into a store these days that has more than one or two Rics in stock.
Yes, I tried out a Jetglo hanging in the rack and told them I wanted one that hadn't been touched and they went in the back went through a bunch of boxes and opened one right in front of me, saying here, it's just like McCartney's. I immediately went home and pulled the cover off and put Rotos on it.
First things, first. It is not a Ricky! It's a Rickenbacker or a Rick.
This is a Ricky:
Teijo K.
Commercial User
I really wonder what happens in continental Europe after Britain's exit from EU. There is a strong possibility of a tax and customs wall between Britain and the rest of the Europe. At the moment most of the new Ricks available are in England. Try adding a 24% tax to already expensive bass...
I just recently set up my bandmate's 73 4001 Jetglo. He bought it in the mid 80s. It had been sitting in the case for over 8 years. He wasn't sure if he would keep it or sell it, so he asked me to go through it so he can play it and make up his mind.
My first impression was shock that the neck was still perfectly straight (with rounds) and it was only slightly out of tune!
Gave the electronics a thorough cleaning, body and hardware a waxing, bypassed the .0047uF bridge PU cap and removed the bridge PU cover. It came out so nice that he's keeping it and I now understand the Ric thing. It's a really cool bass!
If you like it, I wouldn't hesitate on an older one, given it's all there and solid.
My first impression was shock that the neck was still perfectly straight (with rounds) and it was only slightly out of tune!
Gave the electronics a thorough cleaning, body and hardware a waxing, bypassed the .0047uF bridge PU cap and removed the bridge PU cover. It came out so nice that he's keeping it and I now understand the Ric thing. It's a really cool bass!
If you like it, I wouldn't hesitate on an older one, given it's all there and solid.
First things, first. It is not a Ricky! It's a Rickenbacker or a Rick.
This is a Ricky:
View attachment 2788696
Carumba! Here's another Ricky:
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