In general, are older Rickenbacker 4003's worth more or less than a new model? I have a 1993 Rickenbacker 4003 JetGlo that's spent virtually its whole life indoors, so despite being 28 yrs old, there's barely a mark on it and it has the original case, booklet, cleaning cloths, etc. I love the thing - it's the finest instrument I've ever played as a bass player of 50 yrs, but I'm in my late 60's now and don't play it as much as it deserves. So recently I posted it for $1600 on craigslist to test the waters and got so many replies lined up that I took it out and figured I was pricing it too low. I don't mind giving a fellow bass player a good deal, but I'm not sure how to price old vs new. The 4003 basses sell everyday for $1500 - that seems to be a good estimate of a low price for a used one. I don't know the price of a new 4003, but they must be over $2000 with a case and I've seen Ricks from the 90's priced at $2500 on Reverb.
So my question to TB members experienced with buying, selling and trading in 2021 is:
1 - Assuming very good to excellent condition when comparing - ie - no nicks, frets in nice shape, etc. - Does simply being old add value to my 4003 the way an old Fender Strat or P Bass may be valued higher? Seems to me with the 4003 and the way they're made, the build quality has 'probably' remained consistent over the decades, but maybe not - maybe some years were better or worse - ? Does 'antique' status come into play in any way?
Thanks.
So my question to TB members experienced with buying, selling and trading in 2021 is:
1 - Assuming very good to excellent condition when comparing - ie - no nicks, frets in nice shape, etc. - Does simply being old add value to my 4003 the way an old Fender Strat or P Bass may be valued higher? Seems to me with the 4003 and the way they're made, the build quality has 'probably' remained consistent over the decades, but maybe not - maybe some years were better or worse - ? Does 'antique' status come into play in any way?
Thanks.
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