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OK-How much does a Rickenbacker cost for goodness sake?

#22
Blackmag+c said:
Used about 500 quid if you look in the right place.
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the back of a lorry? or someone else's living room? :D

just kidding, it's not impossible to get a rick that low if you really do your homework. more realistically you'd be looking at 600 up, on the UK bass forums they're usually sitting at around 700.

I got mine for around £800, and that's a 1983 discontinued model.

best £800 I ever spent.
 
#23
There's usually a pretty heavy backorder, around 15 months. It really depends on what model you want. New 4003's are around the $1300-$1400 range depending on your dealer.
If you want a 4004 model, be prepared to wait at least 24 months.
 
#26
Hey thanks everyone for the info. This has been helpful in allowing me to price these basses. I think I am officially in the market for a used one.

Just one more follow up to my question-- how much should a 4001 go for in reasonable condition? Would they cost more or less??

Also, I remember from ages ago that the only difference between the 4001 and 4003 was that the latter takes round wound strings. Does that mean the neck is stronger or the frets are harder?

Thanks.


Roger
 
#27
melt said:
Well, I've had 3 Statuses and approx 8 Rics and I'd pick Rics over Statuses 99% of the time...each to their own I guess.
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bassybill said:
I've owned both as well - difficult to make comparisons as they're so very very different.
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I've not owned a factory Rick, but have played several, including a recent blindfolded test between my Greco and a 70's 4001; no one could reliably tell them apart, but because of wear on the Rick neck it was too easy to tell them apart by feel.

The Status and Rick are very different in terms of feel and tone, but my preference is for the Status, especially the older versions without a trussrod.

Horses for courses.
 
#28
Azureglo was a very cool color that was discontinued in 1985, who could forget the lovely Playboy centerfold in 1977 posing with the AZ rick. I found this 1973 transitional inlay 4001 last year in azureglo, it sounds great and the checkered binding really sets it off. Wonder what the current value of this would be, probably a little bit more than $1400.

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#29
rogerbmiller said:
Hey thanks everyone for the info. This has been helpful in allowing me to price these basses. I think I am officially in the market for a used one.

Just one more follow up to my question-- how much should a 4001 go for in reasonable condition? Would they cost more or less??

Also, I remember from ages ago that the only difference between the 4001 and 4003 was that the latter takes round wound strings. Does that mean the neck is stronger or the frets are harder?

Thanks.


Roger
Click to expand...
Yes, the newer 4003's have better, stronger, more reliable necks. Still, I have a 77 4001 that absolutely rocks, though it is strung with Roto Jazz flats. And, I paid $500 more for the old one than I did for a brand new 4003. Go figure.
 
#31
gilbertma said:
Azureglo was a very cool color that was discontinued in 1985, who could forget the lovely Playboy centerfold in 1977 posing with the AZ rick. I found this 1973 transitional inlay 4001 last year in azureglo, it sounds great and the checkered binding really sets it off. Wonder what the current value of this would be, probably a little bit more than $1400.
Click to expand...

hehe, was just checkin' out my playmate book!!
hell yeah! Mrs. Star Stowe, Playmate Febraury 1977!! but the Rick could be a jetglo too, couldn't tell it from the color... nice babe!
 
#32
In my search this week for a new one, I've been quoted everything from $1175 to $1995 ($200 above retail price). Most places are in the $1400-$1500 range for a 4003 in the standard colors. The trouble is finding a place that has one in stock, especially if you have a specific color in mind. I can say that they are worth every penny. Considering the quality and craftsmanship of every Rickenbacker instrument, it still blows my mind that they aren't asking much more. Maybe they should ask more and then they could catch up on their crazy amount of backorders.
 
#33
Not that I want to sicken you, but right place at the right time - I bought my 1979 Cherry Rickenbacker 4001 a few years back for the princely sum of £200 (about $400!!!!) - guy I bought it off had it lying in his attic for years (think it was his dads) and was heading off to live in the USA - always said he would never let anyone else have the bass but me and true to his word he took every penny I could muster up at the time - not that I expected him to accept such a paltry amount!!

I would NEVER EVER part with my Rick, one very good reason being that I could never afford a replacement!!!!
 
#38
I got a montezuma brown (coy 2003/4) 4003 - made 4th week of 2005 - for just over 600 quid (gbp) in January... slightly beaten: no pickup cover and a couple of small chips to the neck finish (which aren't noticable when playing) and no case candy

plays great and sounds great

so bargains can be had

I've seen another one go for about the same price this year but most seem about the 1000-1250 mark
 

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