Rickenbacker basses?

[Newc]

Ok, I'm seriously looking to score either a 4001 or 4003 Ric bass (Geddy Lee). Not picky about color (though black is preferable) but I'm not too "up" on Ric's history - I see several 70's basses on Ebay going for more than early 80's basses. Can't say if all are USA or not, so that may be a factor, but is there a "San Dimas" type of thing going on with 70's basses vs 80's basses?
Was there some drastic change from the 70's to the 80's within the company (location change, design change, etc) that would make a 70's bass a better one?

Newc

[Accept2]

Re: Rickenbacker basses?

In 1984 the son of the guy who put Rickenbacker on the map took over the company, but that wasnt a major change. The ones people kill to get are the ones that were made in the 60s. The 70's and 80's models were basically all the same, and really should all be priced equally. I think its more of the speculators thinking that the older it is, the faster it will rise in value. So, if you are buying one to collect, go for the 70s ones as they will rise faster only because of age. I would take an 80s one myself over a 70s especially if the 70s is more cash. We all know hardware reached a new level in the 80s, and even for a bass that hasnt changed since 1960, the quality and aging of the hardware is noticable. That is if you planning on playing it. After all, they are one of the greatest playing basses ever made............

[Newc]

Re: Rickenbacker basses?

I'd definitely get it to play, not to collect [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]
Thanks for the info.
I agree about the quality of hardware thing.

Newc

[Jerry From Ghana]

Re: Rickenbacker basses?

Hey Newc,
I've been the proud owner of a '98 fireglo 4003 since, well '98 [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

They are my favourite looking guitar, period. How about that horn, that headstock, that horseshoe pickup cover, that white binding, those sharks, and that lacquered reddish maple fretboard [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]
They are my favourite bass guitar because of that unmistakeable Rick clank and because of their necks.

If you wanna get a player, I recommend a 4003 over a 4001. The 4003 has a much improved truss rod design (4001's have necks designed in 1956 for flat wound strings. The added tension of round wound strings can be a gamble). Some people say that 4001's can sound better, but from the 2-3 that I've tried I was unable to determine it.
BTW all authentic Ricks are USA made.

[ June 02, 2003, 11:28 AM: Message edited by: Jerry From Ghana ]

[Kamo]

Re: Rickenbacker basses?

I love the whole ricki sound ^.^ Unfortunately, they have that habit of being top heavy, and i haven't yet found one that intonates properly [img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img] Well there was one on Bunnybass, but it got sold before i got to even look at it [img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img]

[Ace]

Re: Rickenbacker basses?

Originally posted by Kamo:
I love the whole ricki sound ^.^ Unfortunately, they have that habit of being top heavy, and i haven't yet found one that intonates properly [img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img] Well there was one on Bunnybass, but it got sold before i got to even look at it [img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img]

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">How can you know that it intonates properly without ever even having SEEN it? [img]graemlins/scratchhead.gif[/img]

[Kamo]

Re: Rickenbacker basses?

cuz they said it did. I trust ms. mimi. I think she knows what she's doing.