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I'm conflicted again!

R

ricfunk74

Guest
Oct 8, 2016
65
80
#1
I have a '72 Rickenbacker 4001 with binding rot. I have an estimate from Larry Davis for $700 minimum to replace the outer white binding and finish it to match the rest of the bass. If the checker portion of the binding needs replacing or other issues arise, the cost will be more. My local luthier estimated $500 just to do the binding with no finish work included. I know that Larry has an excellent reputation and will do fantastic work. My local people are probably not as experienced with Rickenbackers. I considered selling the bass just because I wasn't sure if it was worth the expense of the repairs . I took it to a local shop and they offered $850 for it. I suggested consigning it, but the owner was certain that it is only worth around $850 in it's current condition and I think that it's worth more than that. I have a feeling that they just wanted to get their hands on it! It's not a bass that I use often, but it is a very nice 4001. I know, I've owned and played several. I wonder if this bass is worth putting possibly up to $1000 into. From an investment standpoint, does it make sense?
WIN_20170213_12_56_56_Pro.jpg
 
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#2
ricfunk74 said:
I have a '72 Rickenbacker 4001 with binding rot. I have an estimate from Larry Davis for $700 minimum to replace the outer white binding and finish it to match the rest of the bass. If the checker portion of the binding needs replacing or other issues arise, the cost will be more. My local luthier estimated $500 just to do the binding with no finish work included. I know that Larry has an excellent reputation and will do fantastic work. My local people are probably not as experienced with Rickenbackers. I considered selling the bass just because I wasn't sure if it was worth the expense of the repairs . I took it to a local shop and they offered $850 for it. I suggested consigning it, but the owner was certain that it is only worth around $850 in it's current condition and I think that it's worth more than that. I have a feeling that they just wanted to get their hands on it! It's not a bass that I use often, but it is a very nice 4001. I know, I've owned and played several. I wonder if this bass is worth putting possibly up to $1000 into. From an investment standpoint, does it make sense?View attachment 1056933
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Don't put a $1000 into it. I gotta tell you, if was me I'd put transparent gloss fingernail polish over the affected areas (3-4 coats) and keep rocking it. YMMV, but that is all I would do to it.
 
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#7
The major problem is that the decomposing celluloid is off gassing and damaging the bass. That is what's causing the dark staining that you see around the edges. In really bad cases, the gas can cause pitting of the hardware and even destroy pickup windings! I've been storing it in the open air to minimize this.
 
#10
I had a blue interior rick case like that from the late 90s. Something to do with the glue used to hold the fabric in the case off gassed and caused the finish on my bass to get soft. I could scratch the clear coat with my finger nail and press hard and create smal dents with my finger nail.

For that reason, plus the fact plastic rick cases fall apart easy, I just wont use Rickenbacker cases anymore.
 

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