In two days I'm going to try out a Jetglo 4001 I found on craigslist. The serial number indicates that it was manufactured in 2004. The seller has sent me about a dozen high resolution photos. There is an approximately 2 inch piece of binding missing near the tailpiece on the "upper" side of the body (as opposed to near the output jacks). Other than that, it looks fine. The part I'm a little leery of is the asking price: $900. Even with the missing binding piece I would expect such a bass to be worth maybe twice that much. Question: Anything in particular I should be on the lookout for when I try out the bass? Thanks much!
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Rickenbacker purchase decision
- Thread starter Octavio
- Start date
All Ric basses are missing that piece of binding.....in other words,the body binding stops at either side of the neck piece below the bridge......
+1
That's normal, nothing's missing.
I'd check the neck just under the nut, make sure there's no crack, although on a late 4003 there shouldn't be any damage there.
I'd also check the truss rod nuts to make sure they're not stripped.
Again, not likely that there is any damage, but it's nice to be sure.
It can't be a 4001, Rickenbacker stop making the 4001 in the early 80's, to be perfectly honest maybe you ought to by a brand new Rickenbacker 4003 from a reputable dealer and in which would have a warranty if something should go wrong you are covered.
As others have stated, the presence or lack of binding behind the bridge is how you tell a real Ric from a fake. If there IS binding there, it's fake. And Rickenbacker did not manufacture 4001s in 2004. Are you sure it is not a 4003?
It is a 4003. The 4001 was phased out in the early 1980s.
If everything works when you try it out, that's a pretty good price.
I don't know if Ricks are more expensive in Hawaii, but unless there's something seriously wrong with it, $900 is good.
If everything works when you try it out, that's a pretty good price.
I don't know if Ricks are more expensive in Hawaii, but unless there's something seriously wrong with it, $900 is good.
Sorry everyone, you're right, it's a 4003 not a 4001.
I am aware that the binding is 'interrupted' at the tailpiece on a 4003. What I should have said is that on this bass, there is a piece of the white binding this is missing, like it broke off or something such that you can see the bare wood underneath where the missing piece of binding should be. I wish I could draw a picture.. It's like binding to the point where your right forearm would rest when playing, then a missing piece of binding, then black at the tailpiece/bridge, then the binding resumes at the output jack plate, etc. as it normally should.
I just have this nagging feeling that there must be something (else) "wrong" with the bass because of the low asking price. Or, maybe, I'm just on the verge of getting a good deal.
I am aware that the binding is 'interrupted' at the tailpiece on a 4003. What I should have said is that on this bass, there is a piece of the white binding this is missing, like it broke off or something such that you can see the bare wood underneath where the missing piece of binding should be. I wish I could draw a picture.. It's like binding to the point where your right forearm would rest when playing, then a missing piece of binding, then black at the tailpiece/bridge, then the binding resumes at the output jack plate, etc. as it normally should.
I just have this nagging feeling that there must be something (else) "wrong" with the bass because of the low asking price. Or, maybe, I'm just on the verge of getting a good deal.
That lost binding is probably the reason for the low price.
It's in a pretty obvious spot, it may be repairable by a good repair guy, and it really depends on whether it bothers you or not if it's a good value.
There's not much that could go wrong with the bass without being glaringly obvious immediately under reasonable inspection.
If it had other finish issues it should be easy to spot, and mechanically and electrically there's really nothing much to worry about with a 4003 of that age.
Again, it'll be easy to spot problems when you check it out in person.
If the action is crazy high, look under the truss rod cover at the truss rod nuts.
The threads on the rod ends should look clean, not burred or chewed up, and the nuts shouldn't be maxed out.
There should be not much thread sticking out the end of the nuts.
I'd say: if the missing piece of binding doesn't bug you, and it works as it should when you try it, you're good to go.
It's in a pretty obvious spot, it may be repairable by a good repair guy, and it really depends on whether it bothers you or not if it's a good value.
There's not much that could go wrong with the bass without being glaringly obvious immediately under reasonable inspection.
If it had other finish issues it should be easy to spot, and mechanically and electrically there's really nothing much to worry about with a 4003 of that age.
Again, it'll be easy to spot problems when you check it out in person.
If the action is crazy high, look under the truss rod cover at the truss rod nuts.
The threads on the rod ends should look clean, not burred or chewed up, and the nuts shouldn't be maxed out.
There should be not much thread sticking out the end of the nuts.
I'd say: if the missing piece of binding doesn't bug you, and it works as it should when you try it, you're good to go.
NO!!! The tailpiece has no binding. Never has. This is legit. It's not "lost" or "redone." It is how it has always been done. The reason is that the wings are finished separately from the neck-through. The binding is on the wings, not on the neck-through.
Thanks for all replies. Any thoughts on whether replacing the missing piece of binding is a big deal, small deal, expensive, or not so much? I mean, where do you even get a 2 inch piece of binding?
is the binding actually missing or is it the gap? better yet how about a pic of the missing binding?
Have you not listened to what people are trying to tell you, you don't need to replace any binding, it is suppose to be that way.
This is why I got my 4003 from Wildwood.
It was perfect and the sale went as smooth as it could go.
I eventually sold it because although I loved the sound at age 18 but not so much at the age of 50.....
I sold it used for the same price I purchased it for new
I never understood why used non-vintage Rics are so expensive....
It was perfect and the sale went as smooth as it could go.
I eventually sold it because although I loved the sound at age 18 but not so much at the age of 50.....
I sold it used for the same price I purchased it for new
I never understood why used non-vintage Rics are so expensive....
Can you post a pic of the missing/broken binding? It'll be easier to tell you how repairable it is ...
No, replacing a piece of binding is not terribly difficult - or expensive - assuming that it didn't take any of the wood with it when it left. Any reputable luthier should be able to fix it for you, if you don't want to try it yourself. If you want to try, eBay "luthier supplies" will have what you need, and any number of YouTube tutorials will show you how. Assuming that's all that's wrong, you're getting a pretty good deal.
