Should I buy or should I go?!

[fendersurfer]

Dear all.
I have the chance to get my hands on a Rickenbacker 4001 black from '75/'76. I visited the seller yesterday, a 60yo guy who played the piece all over Germany over the years, from the Reeperbahn in Hamburg to his studio for recording lately.
It's well aged (the bass;-)), I would say light to medium relic. Fretboard very nice, almost no wear. He has no certificate or something, but I thing its a genuine hand-made USA Bass from that time he says. Should I spend the 1800 Euro / 2389 $ or should I pass?!?
Thanks for some help.

note: no pressure cause he wants to sell regionally, not many potentional buyers. but also no more price drop, cause he went from 2200 Euros to 1800 Euros already.

 

[FerK]

I'd get a new one. The value of the new one will probably hold on a lot longer than that of a semi relic with significant wear.

 

[sanderic]

I have a black 78 4001, also semi reliced from years of playing. It is the finest Ric I have ever played. Check to see if the case is in good condition, the old style Ric cases are very expensive.
If it plays good and the frets are in good condition, then make an offer on the bass. If something is out of order with the bass, you can always buy a new one. Note: if you decide to buy a new one, check out the 4004.

 

[fendersurfer]

Thank you guys.
The Case is Aluminium. Slim style. Cut out foam material where the bass can rest in.
Also worn, but would be ok for me. How can I check, if it's an old/expensive one?

 

[sanderic]

The aluminum case sounds like an aftermarket modified road case. Original Rickenbacker cases from the 70s were black tolex covered wooden cases with a blue plush interior. Side by side comparison leads me to believe they were made by the same company that made cases for Fender. My 4001 will fit in a Precision case. I don't know how it would fit in a Jazz case. Precision cases are smaller than Jazz cases. My Jazz bass will not fit in the Precision case.
Rickenbackers will not fit in the modern P/J cases that Fender uses now.

 

[fendersurfer]

I will meet the seller on Friday at a gig of his two daughters. And I will skip that bass.
I realized that I am not the vintage guy. I want to relic instruments myself over the years. ))

 

[fendersurfer]

The seller said that "a valuable bass slipped through my fingers". He did't mention if he sold it meanwhile to somebody else or if he is still sitting on the case.