Folk seem to be interested in talking about rickenbackers at the mo..
The ones I had ( I've had 3 proper Rb 4001s in total) were flogged as I recall because I fancied trying something else, and in those days, 70s, 80s, you had to flog or trade one bass to get another.
The last one however was in the slightly more modern era, late naughties, and I flogged it as I wasn't using it for gigs (I was using the Jack all the time) and as usual I needed the dosh.
I was a frickin idiot to flog the last one, wish I hadn't, I got pennies for it (comparatively), and I'd have loved to still have it now. Certainly can't see me ever being able to afford another.