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Rickenbacker- modified or destroyed

FloridaTim

FloridaTim

May 29, 2013
287
553
Kissimmee, FL
#1
Was cruising the pawn shops and came across a Rickenbacker 4001. Since it was a day of Squiers, Deans and First Acts, I was pleasantly surprised. Then I took it down to look at it.

Badass Bass II bridge and EMG pickups. The pickups aren't that badly installed, but do change the look of the bass. The bridge appears to have used a sharpie to conceal the fact that it was a different size than the original.

Lots of dings and scratches, some covered using the same sharpie.

Other than the dings and scratches, how much of the value was taken away by changing the bridge? Pickups?

It has been at the store for over one year and can be had cheap. Probably under $900. Haven't plugged it in, just played around with it. Low, easy action. Neck seems straight. No cracks upon first look.

If I do this right, here are some pics:

http://s191.photobucket.com/user/timjdodson/library/rickenbacker%204001

Thoughts?
 
#3
thisSNsucks said:
That bass looks really cool, I'd rock it.

That being said, I'm fairly certain that it won't sound much like a Rickenbacker anymore because of the pickups.

For $750-$850 I'd be into it. The mods destroyed the value, but not the bass.
Click to expand...

Took the words outta my mouth (offa my fingers?)

Looks pretty wicked, I'd play it on stage if it had a 5th string, the pickups look cool in there and the bridge looks nice (though some Ric fans may hate it). I'd pick it up for around $850 tops too, but I bet it has a cool sound to it.
 
#5
I'd say modified because I don't see anything that can't be returned to original type parts. Looks decent, do you like playing it? I doubt I'd pay 900 for it as is even were I looking for a Ric, hell specially if I were looking for a Ric. If it plays nice I'd say closer to 700 as is.
 
#10
Plug it in and play it. No, it won't sound like a Rick, but so what? If you like what you hear and feel, try to get them down some more. Naturally, you should use the "It's value has been ruined/ I"ll have to spend big bucks to fix it/ Sacrelige!/etc., etc." argument to get the price down, but personally, I could live with that price (if it was a lefty).
 
#15
I wouldn't be surprised if the dealer only paid a couple hundred $$$ for it, knowing how dealers work, especially regarding modified instruments. Given that I'd offer $500 assuming a good HSC is included and there are no issues with the bass outside of the mods.
 

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