Can anyone explain vintage rick copies going for over $800?

[ajkula66]

Unless of course we're talking about a Shaftesbury in a whimsical non authentic model like this with stunning custom mods like the sawed off headstock so it would fit in a guitar case:

I'm glad that someone remembers Shaftesbury...

Had their LP Goldtop (with P-90s) copy and it was a stellar instrument. A couple of others went through my hands as well, but it was 35+ years ago so my recollection on *which ones exactly* is beyond foggy...

 

[petrus61]

Somewhere along the line these became gilded with a shroud of horsepoopie, not unlike Japanese Fenders from the 80's, Tokai, early Ibanez and just about every brand that existed before 1990. Take it in stride. Lots of good instruments out there old and new.

 

[Auspuff]

I am flabbergasted, wherever I look, people are certainly trying to sell them for $800+, not sure what price they actually end up going for. I recently found a local ad in Serbia where the guy is trying to sell it for $1000. No name copy, neck through, from the 70s. Doesn't even seem to have the original pickups.

Am I missing something here or are those people collectively insane? You can get an actual used rick for a bit more than what they ask for used copies...

A disclaimer: I am not interested in purchasing a rick (much less a copy). I am just finding this extremely odd.

The price of real Ric's are on the rise, as well.

 

[Fender_Bender]

If it's a neck through and still straight and sound after all these years, why not. It might even have a better bridge and harder frets than the real thing.

 

[Hounddog409]

So you're suggesting that an Ibanez or Greco Ric copy is in no way worth more now than the price they sold for in the 70's? Ok then. You are entitled to your opinion, but again, it's worth what someone will pay for it. Regardless of your opinion.
So.. according to your logic, when buying an authentic Ric used, I should never have to pay more than what the bass sold for new, right?
Having owned three Ric's ,all modern 4003's, one an S model, I've no doubt that some of the older Japanese copies were as good or better.
One of my 4003's, Mapleglo, had THE WORST AND MOST dead spots of any bass I've ever owned. Horrible.
I love the iconic look and tone, but that's as far as it goes.

Sorry got off track a bit....

"So.. according to your logic, when buying an authentic Ric used, I should never have to pay more than what the bass sold for new, right?"

There you go off topic again. OP has nothing to do with actual Rics. Stay on topic.

 

[FRoss6788]

"So.. according to your logic, when buying an authentic Ric used, I should never have to pay more than what the bass sold for new, right?"

There you go off topic again. OP has nothing to do with actual Rics. Stay on topic.

You just can't bring yourself to admit that some lawsuit era Japanese "Rics" were actually good instruments...
It's cool.

 

[lowphatbass]

I had a 70's(I think) Ric copy, neck through, legit looking. It was devoid of a name or serial number...just said "electric bass" on the truss rod cover. Under one of the pickups there was some handwritten Japanese writing. I sent a photo to a friend to translate and he said, "Washburn". I got several opinions and all of them unanimously agreed that it was as good or better than the real thing.
I'm not saying it was worth $800, just saying it was a damn good bass.

 

[FRoss6788]

I had a 70's(I think) Ric copy, neck through, legit looking. It was devoid of a name or serial number...just said "electric bass" on the truss rod cover. Under one of the pickups there was some handwritten Japanese writing. I sent a photo to a friend to translate and he said, "Washburn". I got several opinions and all of them unanimously agreed that it was as good or better than the real thing.
I'm not saying it was worth $800, just saying it was a damn good bass.

Yep.
They were out there, and to suggest that ALL of them were pieces of crap copies is ignoring reality.

 

[mikewalker]

There is a certain amount of simple nostalgia value in these 70s copies. Somebody who started their bass journey on a Univox "4001" might actually value it higher than a Rickenbacker 4001 of any vintage. Un-modded 70s Japanese copies surviving in mint condition are pretty scarce these days, which adds to the market valuation...

 

[captainofsmooth]

I listed a MIJ Ric copy from the 70s for $500 locally just a few weeks ago. Expected to get $350-400. Sold in 5 mins, and had three guys fighting over it. Ended up getting $600 for it, and prob could've got more if I wanted to be an ass and play the buyers against each other.

 

[orichtvuna]

I picked up a Greco Rick copy last year. Best bass I've ever had, bar none. Peavey, Squier, Ibanez, Jackson, lots of fun stuff, but it's the only bass I've ever been satisfied with. Cost about 450 dollars. It's a 1982 model, and the olympic white has faded into an off cream. Plus, I threw an American télé bridge pickup into the bridge mute slot with a three way series switch, which gives it maybe 12 different configurations before I start messing with tone pots or technique , some of which (like the warm wooly neck mixed with super defined bridge mute pickup, giving a fat and clear tone, or all three run in series which is hot and instantly evokes motorhead, even without drive, and is perfect for slap, or the bridge with the bridge mute, which is biting and articulate and also awesome for slap) are frankly impossible to find on even a regular Rick bass, let alone a fender. Would I pay 800 for it? Maybe. Would I sell it for 800? I wouldn't sell it for 8000! Am I bragging? Hell yes! Bow before the superior glory of the Japanese Rickenbacker!
(I took pic attached using a gameboy)

 

[GIBrat51]

Some of the Rick copies were very good instruments in their own right; I've had a few of them in my hands. Some of them were... not so good. Some of the bolt-neck Rick looking basses were - based on what I've held in my hands - anywhere from pretty good for their time, to pretty poopie playing bass-like objects. Sadly, though, none of them were left handed. I don't think any of them ever were, either; otherwise, if it was an Ibanez, a Greco, or a Fernandez? I'd have one. I'd certainly be willing to pay $800 for a really good one - but I'm not holding my breath waiting for a really good lefty Rick copy to turn up...

 

[klejst]

Call me crazy, but I don't get how real Ric's go for the prices they do. Not trying to start a war here, just my thought on them - not a Ric guy or bought into the hype of.

 

[Leo Thunder]

I'm not sure that just because something is old it should be referred to as "vintage." Junk from yesteryear is just old junk. Junk doesn't become more valuable just because it's old.

And "vintage" doesn't mean quality either. It only means dated.

 

[Leo Thunder]

I am flabbergasted, wherever I look, people are certainly trying to sell them for $800+, not sure what price they actually end up going for.

Asking price is not selling price. I keep seeing people offering stuff at blown up prices in hope of catching some buyer too rich to care. A recent example of this was of a cheap 12 string telecaster copy with the brand name removed, offered at twice its new price.

 

[Leo Thunder]

Im aware of 400 dollar ric copies.
its no surprise that somebody got the idea to buy a 400 dollar copy then sell for 800

i feel sorry for anyone that paid 800 for a copy.
…
the point is eventually a item is only worth what people are willing to pay.

So how many rolls ot toilet paper do I need to get one of these?

 

[Allatoona Rebel]

I am flabbergasted, wherever I look, people are certainly trying to sell them for $800+, not sure what price they actually end up going for. I recently found a local ad in Serbia where the guy is trying to sell it for $1000. No name copy, neck through, from the 70s. Doesn't even seem to have the original pickups.

Am I missing something here or are those people collectively insane? You can get an actual used rick for a bit more than what they ask for used copies...

A disclaimer: I am not interested in purchasing a rick (much less a copy). I am just finding this extremely odd.

I don't know this to be the case in what you're stating, but there are counterfeit guitars out there. A good luthier can spot a fake in a few seconds...

 

[FRoss6788]

I don't know this to be the case in what you're stating, but there are counterfeit guitars out there. A good luthier can spot a fake in a few seconds...

The 70's MIJ "Rics" were all copies as far as I know. The counterfeits usually have "Rickenbacker" on the trussrod cover posing as legitimate Rics. To me, there is a difference. One is trying pass itself on as something it's not.

 

[jamro217]

The combination of the following:
1.) Supply and demand. How many decent basses are there out there and what are they going for?
2.) The "Vintage" moniker. A Tupperware bowl can be bought today at a yard sale for $.50. Bury it in the ground and wait 4000 years. It is now priceless.
3.) The cost of the copy versus the genuine article. Ricks are usually a bargain at $1300. Can a clone be worth enough savings to buy a combo amp, too?
4.) The intrinsic value of the instrument. Regardless of whether or not the instrument is a direct copy of someone else's or an original design, if it's a good instrument that's all that counts. There are good and bad basses from pretty much all manufacturers over the course of time. Just being old isn't any indicator of quality, just age. There is no real time side by side bench test to compare a 1964 Jazz Bass as it was in 1964 to what that same bass is today. Never mind trying to compare how we remember it was to how it really was to what today's new reissue is to what today's new reissue will become in fifty years. Judge the bass on its own merits.

Is it worth $800? Maybe to some, not to others. The seller sure hopes so.

 

[Leo Thunder]

4.) The intrinsic value of the instrument. Regardless of whether or not the instrument is a direct copy of someone else's or an original design, if it's a good instrument that's all that counts.
…
Is it worth $800? Maybe to some, not to others. The seller sure hopes so.

I keep seeing people convincing themselves that the thing they want is worth the asking price. There are examples of companies doing better by placing the same product in a higher price segment thanks to this behaviour. Packaging and image are what is added for the extra price. People like to believe in a self-assured quality statement.