I found a steal on a local 1985 Rick in supposedly good condition. What should I look for as major problems to avoid? At the price anything but catastrophic would be ok with me. Thanks.
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Rickenbacker found- advice please?
- Thread starter baddarryl
- Start date
If it seems to be in pretty good shape and it's dirt cheap then if you decide you don't want it you'll make your money back easy. If it's actually a "steal" then I wouldn't touch it or deal with anyone trying to sell it unless you plan to turn them in.
the '85's didn't have the potential truss/neck issues of the earlier 4001's so it's reasonably safe. Make sure it's authentic. post pix here if you can.
The "making sure it's authentic" would be the first thing I'd check. As long as both trussrods work, the neck isn't coming apart at the seams, and the electronics work, then buy it. 
Jaymi
Pink Bass Man
- Feb 11, 2008
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The "making sure it's authentic" would be the first thing I'd check. As long as both trussrods work, the neck isn't coming apart at the seams, and the electronics work, then buy it.
what he said...
What he said 2. Both of the ones I had did have some finger board separation issues due to over tightend truss rods. Some creative glueing and problem solved.
Engine207
Losing faith in humanity...one call at a time.
The "making sure it's authentic" would be the first thing I'd check. As long as both trussrods work, the neck isn't coming apart at the seams, and the electronics work, then buy it.
What she said +3
How do I make sure it is authentic? How is the dual truss rods setup and anything special to know about the adjustment? Is there anything that would scare you of even if it could be bought at 1/3 of its value? Thanks.I know almost nothing about Ricks (other than I have always wanted one since I bought Machine Head at 7 years old in 1975!) in general so any info is appreciated.
hmm.... big question. Here's a few pointers:
- Many Ric copies have bolt on necks. They should be neck thru.
- check the ric logo on the truss rod cover and make sure its correct.
- lettering on the TRC should be raised (ie moulded plastic) for that year. IIRC.
- binding should NOT go all the way around the tail piece. There should be break- thus...
- note the pickup position of the above photo. That would be correct for 1985 Most copies try to copy the earlier 4001 pup posn which is closer to the neck...
*Thanks for the use of your Greco photo Aussie Mark!
BTW. Ric copies are also fairly sought after so would easily be worth 1/3 the price of a Ric. If it plays well you couldn't really go wrong IMO
- Many Ric copies have bolt on necks. They should be neck thru.
- check the ric logo on the truss rod cover and make sure its correct.
- lettering on the TRC should be raised (ie moulded plastic) for that year. IIRC.
- binding should NOT go all the way around the tail piece. There should be break- thus...
- note the pickup position of the above photo. That would be correct for 1985 Most copies try to copy the earlier 4001 pup posn which is closer to the neck...
*Thanks for the use of your Greco photo Aussie Mark!
BTW. Ric copies are also fairly sought after so would easily be worth 1/3 the price of a Ric. If it plays well you couldn't really go wrong IMO
Don't rely on the TRC by itself, they are out there to put on fakes. As far as the dual truss rod thing, it scared me to adjust them at first on mine, but I have done it a number of times now and its not really a big deal. As long as you adjust them about the same amount at the same time you shouldn't have any problems. The thing thats gonna drive you nuts much more than the truss rods is adjusting the intonation. That can be a long affair.
Thanks guys. $500 for the curious. I am starting to think it was actually a fraud fishing for email adresses on CL. I told the guy to call me twice with cash in hand and haven't heard anything yet. I have suspected that before with other things on CL. More will be revealed.
Thanks guys. $500 for the curious. I am starting to think it was actually a fraud fishing for email adresses on CL. I told the guy to call me twice with cash in hand and haven't heard anything yet. I have suspected that before with other things on CL. More will be revealed.
yeah, at that price a real ric seems unlikely, or at the very least sketchy. I can't say for sure, but if my gut tells me something is a bit fishy, i let it pass. Better to wonder if you missed a deal than know you've been had.
He actually called me today and said it had been laying around for 12 yeard and he doesn't play anymore. I hope he just doesn't know the value they have jumped to.Thanks for the info. I will use it to verify as much as I can. Going to see it tomorrow.
The pickup cover is missing. He said it wasn't there when he bought it and it works fine. Problem?
