He's now offered it to the 2nd bidder, who contacted me for more info...
Meanwhile, I've bought this today, a '78:
(I have the bits to revert it to stock.)
Yep.
It's advertised as superficially scruffy, which is fine and what I wanted (and there's the switch toggle missing), but it's precisely the potential structural issues I need to cover off before I hand over a grand!
The seller says it's at his parents and messaged me:
To which I replied:
The attempt to quote the "agreement" to me has got my hackles up, so I think I am now very trepidacious!
I've won the auction but the seller is "insisting" I pay unseen via PayPal beforehand on item marked cash on collection.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rickenbacker-4001-Bass-Black-and-White-includes-original-hard-case/263468824085?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2748.l2649
Yep - I think the 4+1 headstock makes it look like the extra string was an afterthought, which it was.
That' just me, speaking as a Ric owner and other brand 3+2 and 4+1 5-strings too...
I wonder if they've trademarked the pickups.
I think they're a bold, interesting design; for me, however, the different neck, pickups and bridge means that they shouldn't be a 4003.
It'll be interesting to see how they sell.
Speaking of snapped, ...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WARWICK-Streamer-Stage-1-1992-Snapped-Head-Electric-Solid-Bass-Guitar-Faulty/132478606452?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m2763.l2649
The repair could be expensive; I made an offer on it, but it was declined.