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Rickenbacker found- advice please?

#21
pickup cover missing? not really a problem but will bring down value slightly. there are varying opinoins but hte general consensus is that function wise the cover is of no importance. It is not at all uncommon for them not to be with used Rics.

Get the SN from the seller and run it at the RIC site. That will elimnate almost all the fakes. IF that passes muster, then it will be time to start looking at binding, PUP placement, finish details, and the like. IF the SN runs and it has all the right specs for an 85, GET IT.
 
#28
It's not always "too good to be true". I've seen a few Rics go for well below market value recently.

In fact, I got my '86 4003S/5 (in mint condition) for $900 just 4 months ago.

baddarryl, I wouldn't say a socket will reach it. Most sockets of that size have an outside diameter that's too large to fit. Most nutdrivers work fine, though.
 
#29
baddarryl said:
So a plain socket will reach it? I ran the serial and it checks to be Oct 1985
Click to expand...

Maybe, maybe not. The walls on standard sockets can be too thick sometimes. That's why a nut driver was suggested. I doubt the seller will let you get under the hood and start twisting on the rods. A frozen or bad truss rod on a Ric is pretty uncommon, but they are replaceable. The Rickenbacker site sells them, and they boast "field replaceable," which means they are a little easier to deal with than the average truss rod. Even if you have a bad rod, the replacement would only set you back $100.00 or so, and you would still be getting a good deal (average price for an '85 Ric 4003 in good condition is around $,1200.00+). I have an '85 4003 in white w/black trim. I still can't believe how stable and solid this guitar is, and I have reason to believe the truss rods have not been adjusted for a long, long time.

Looks like you might have a bonafide steal on your hands. There's a good chance the seller doesn't realize the value and just wants to unload. It happens. If you have verified the serial number, next step is to look it over very carefully. If nothing is seperated at any of the joints, fingerboard from neck, etc., you probably have a winner. It would be great to have a tech look it over, but I doubt you have time for that. I own three Ric 4003s, and they are among the most solidly built guitars I've ever seen. If it's in good shape with no anomalies or other red flags, better jump on it. Give him the benjamins and don't look back.
 
#31
I use a wrench on the truss rods. One of those real thin mini wrenches that generally come in a plastic packet like allen wrenches. I find it easier than a nut driver, and a 1/4 inch drive socket will usually fit, but when I tried it it bound up on the route and I didn't want to risk splitting or gouging the wood.
 
#32
If this all pans out, you'll have an amazing bass at an amazing price. This sort of thing does happen, but not often. The seller could have easily bought the bass in the late 80's for around the price he's selling, so in his mind, he get's his money back. Not everyone is a gear-hound TB addict. Hope this works out for you, and it sounds like it just might.
 
#33
Got it!!!!!!! Verified serial # and all other clues. Very clean, only issue is the rear input jack is a little noisy. Went to his work and got a signed bill of sale, no stolen goods here. I felt so amazed at the price I didn't even haggle. Nice case too! I have to pinch myself, is this for real? Whooohooo! Lesson: deals come to the patient.Pics later.
 

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