Help with Ric 4001

[captainofsmooth]

Hey guys!
Had a trade offer for this bass, and not being a Ric expert, I just wanted to see if anyone could help me out. The owner claims it’s a 1992 4001, with a Hipshot bridge replacement. Replacement gator case. Claims it’s all original otherwise. These are the only pics I have currently, but he is local and willing to let me check it out. Just checking to see if anything looks off or suspicious. Any thoughts? Thanks so much!

 

[eddybuzzard]

First of all, RIC phased out the 4001 model in the early '80s
Does it have dual truss rods?
If you can get the serial number, feed it into the RIC decoder, and see what falls out;

Serial number decoder

Unlock the mystery of your instrument with our Serial Number Decoder. Decode amplifiers and Rickenbacker serial numbers easily.

www.rickenbacker.com

Whatever it is, it does look kinda cool, but I'm feeling Japanese
I really think so.

 

[Jeff Scott]

Looks legit to me, other than it being a '90s 4003. Black trim with black hardware. Of course, the Hipshot bridge as you mentioned.

Does he have the original bridge and tailpiece?

 

[captainofsmooth]

Looks legit to me, other than it being a '90s 4003. Black trim with black hardware. Of course, the Hipshot bridge as you mentioned.

Does he have the original bridge and tailpiece?

He does not have the original bridge or tailpiece. I also was concerned that he was calling it a 4001, but that’s what he keeps saying it is. Obviously, I agree it’s a 4003. I’m hoping to see it in person tomorrow and get a better idea of what he’s got.

 

[lowendblues]

Curious about the finish. I'm assuming its white that has turned "creamy yellow" over the years, although I don't think I've ever seen one yellow as evenly as this one. I'd look under the TRC for the white finish, and the dual t rods.

* EDIT * upon zooming in on the pics, I see that its Mapleglo not white. Pretty bass. Hope it works out for you.

 

[captainofsmooth]

Correct, it is Mapleglo. I’m going to go check it out in person today. With it missing the original bridge and case, what would a value on something like this be? Wanting to make sure the trade is still a good idea value wise.

 

[KenSmithFan]

Correct, it is Mapleglo. I’m going to go check it out in person today. With it missing the original bridge and case, what would a value on something like this be? Wanting to make sure the trade is still a good idea value wise.

Check the sold listings on Reverb. It looks like a bunch of 1990’s 4003s have sold in the $1,800 - $2,000.

 

[captainofsmooth]

Check the sold listings on Reverb. It looks like a bunch of 1990’s 4003s have sold in the $1,800 - $2,000.

Yeah, I checked Reverb. I just wasn’t sure how much the value was affected by the replacement bridge and missing OHSC. Thought the Ric guys would know better than me hahaha.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

Serial number should confirm it, but the bottom horn looks a little pointier than it should, might be a Japanese knockoff bass. Some real experts on the Rickenbacker Club thrrad here on TB and on the Rickresource Forum who could weigh in. Ric messed with the horns, headstock size, etc. over the years, so could be legit, but that bottom horn looks "off" to me. Definitely check under the TRC, I don't think any of the Japanese "Lawsuit" basses used double trussrods. If it's Japanese, it may actually be better built than genuine Rics of the same era, but won't have the same street value as a genuine Ric.

 

[lug]

The fact that the binding doesn't extend around the bridge is a good sign, most knockoffs miss that.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

Not definitive though, the Japanese lawsuit basses picked up on that detail. it's an artifact of the neck-through construction, the body wings are bound separately and glued to the unbound neck beam. The fact the seller didn't include a shot of the output jack with serial number would give me pause, its the quickest way to identify the real deal. Hopefully I'm wrong and its legit.

 

[Jeff Scott]

Correct, it is Mapleglo. I’m going to go check it out in person today. With it missing the original bridge and case, what would a value on something like this be? Wanting to make sure the trade is still a good idea value wise.

What are you trading for it, and what is its value?

 

[KenSmithFan]

Yeah, I checked Reverb. I just wasn’t sure how much the value was affected by the replacement bridge and missing OHSC. Thought the Ric guys would know better than me hahaha.

Given all the whining about the Ric bridge, I think the replaced bridge is probably a draw. If the after market case is high quality, I don’t think it would affect price much.

 

[Ellery]

What’s up with the black binding? Don’t see that too often.
Other than the origins mystery it’s a beautiful bass.

 

[Jeff Scott]

What’s up with the black binding? Don’t see that too often.
Other than the origins mystery it’s a beautiful bass.

It was a RIC option called BT.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

Jeff, does that bottom horn look right to you?

 

[Jeff Scott]

Jeff, does that bottom horn look right to you?

Going by several other photos I see on a Google search the shape is correct.

 

[John Sparkman]

Well, it sure is a gorgeous instrument!!

 

[Gilmourisgod]

Ok, I think Jeff has forgotten more about Rics than I will ever know, so that sounds like an endorsement. I'd still check the truss rods and serial number if possible, but it looks like it's in good shape. Nice find.

 

[eddybuzzard]

If the seller/trader ain't willing to provide the S/N, I'd say later

Otherwise, ~2K if legit Rick, ~1K if Japanese copy.

Also, if you get the S/N, you can see if it's registered over at rickresources's data base.