Stacker Posted March 9, 2010 Share Posted March 9, 2010 (edited) This bass, along with the Jap Bound neck Jazz and a Squier VMJ fretless, is now back on board with the resurfacing of the instrument I was sniffing around. Please note there was no intended prevarication on my part, just nerves and a lack of concrete information from the other party. [size=4]1973 Rick 4001 FG[/size] Wavy Grover keys Non-full-width inlays Cheq binding Toaster front pup Rear pup has [i]adjustable[/i] pole-pieces Original black RIC case Bit of buckle-rash and a few scratches, given its age 4mm tail-lift All original bar one pickguard screw No neck issues whatsoever. Been strung with Warwick Reds .040-.095 for the last three years Offers in the region of £2k invited. Would prefer local pickup or arrange your own courier. Overseas interest welcome. Please see the other bass I have up. Any Qs, fire away. Edited March 21, 2010 by Stacker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cocco Posted March 9, 2010 Share Posted March 9, 2010 Absolute stunner! What's the difference between the toaster and the pup on the modern ric? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacker Posted March 9, 2010 Author Share Posted March 9, 2010 [quote name='cocco' post='769138' date='Mar 9 2010, 12:55 PM']Absolute stunner! What's the difference between the toaster and the pup on the modern ric?[/quote] The 'modern' one, post '73, is a hi-gain. Still a single coil but the toaster is not as hot and a bit warmer. For me, it is the essence of the 4001 sound. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robocorpse Posted March 9, 2010 Share Posted March 9, 2010 (edited) Toaster has lower output and bags more "Traditional Ric" character. The mismatch between Rick neck and bridge pickups is the key to the sound, the neck pickups are wooly, the bridge pickups are like razorblades. As the years progressed, the sonic gap between the 2 was narrowed, firstly by the original Horseshoes being discontinued in favour of a conventional bobbin and magnet pickup with screw-in polepieces, then later, the ubiquitous "Hi Gain" pickups with the rubbery polepieces. The neck "Toasters" were upgraded to "Hi Gain" around 1973, and they now balanced the bridge pickups a lot better, but at the expense of the original Ric sound, which many people (including Rickenbacker themselves) were keen to improve upon at the time. Toasters are very cool looking pickups, and they give the Squire/McCartney tones their wooly bottom end in bags, but for most other applications, you might be better off with a Hi-Gain in the neck. The best way to "upgrade" any Ric bass to make it sound right* is by finding a proper Horseshoe bridge pickup, and these are rare as rocking horse poo, so are the reissues. Reissue Horseshoes go between 400 and 1000, but 1960s originals you can count on writing a blank cheque and hope the American hoarders/archivists haven't got there first. Thats why the V63 series go for such bonkers money now, they were an all-in-one proper reissue as close as Rickenbacker could get it without going overboard. It will be a cold day in hell (or a 60s Ric, and even then it would have to be a corker) before I part with my V63. * like a lovely clanky 60s Rick a'la Squire, Glover, Rutherford. Edited March 9, 2010 by robocorpse Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacker Posted March 9, 2010 Author Share Posted March 9, 2010 The horsey on the V63 isn't anywhere near like the originals, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cocco Posted March 9, 2010 Share Posted March 9, 2010 So if I want a 'hot' ric this isn't the way to go and I'm better off with a later 4001 or even a 4003? but I still want some sort of good investment ric but one I'm not gonna be scared to gig. What should I be looking for? Also what is the difference between a 4001 and a 4003? Sorry I've hijacked your thread by the way Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacker Posted March 9, 2010 Author Share Posted March 9, 2010 Sounds like you want a V63, mate! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robocorpse Posted March 9, 2010 Share Posted March 9, 2010 [quote name='cocco' post='769215' date='Mar 9 2010, 01:42 PM']So if I want a 'hot' ric this isn't the way to go and I'm better off with a later 4001 or even a 4003? but I still want some sort of good investment ric but one I'm not gonna be scared to gig. What should I be looking for? Also what is the difference between a 4001 and a 4003? Sorry I've hijacked your thread by the way[/quote] I'd say find the money and buy this one (Stackers bass). Whatever Ric you buy, its always gonna be an "investment", even unloved early 4003s are starting to pick up in price now, and this FG will probably blow all of them out of the water in most respects, and it will continue to appreciate. Whatever Ric you gig with will always get the odd dink, so why not buy one thats nicely worn in, and sounds like a Ric SHOULD, rather than compromising your lust for a nice 70s one by buying a later, plain bound, Hi-Gained 80s/90s hot Rick? Unless you desperately want Hi-Gains? Seriously, whats the difference between gigging a well used £2000 bass, and a slightly cleaner £1500 bass? Once you are up in that sort of price range, I'd only worry if the bass was a minter, or a really rare colour/variant. They are meant to be played after all! I have my giggers and my home/recording basses, they all get played, but I would never gig the V63 unless it was a crucial gig that absolutely needed it, and even then it would be a kid gloves job, and I would be devastated if it got dinked. However, I can throw my 4001S round with impunity, as the previous owner already did a good job of wearing it in and chipping the edges. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supabock Posted March 9, 2010 Share Posted March 9, 2010 [quote name='Stacker' post='768975' date='Mar 9 2010, 10:32 AM']This bass, along with the Jap Bound neck Jazz and a Squier VMJ fretless, is now back on board with the resurfacing of the instrument I was sniffing around. Please note there was no intended prevarication on my part, just nerves and a lack of concrete information from the other party. [size=4]1973 Rick 4001 FG[/size] Wavy Grover keys Non-full-width inlays Cheq binding Toaster front pup Rear pup has [i]adjustable[/i] pole-pieces Original black RIC case Bit of buckle-rash and a few scratches, given its age Minimal tail-lift No neck issues whatsoever. Been strung with Warwick Reds .040-.095 for the last three years Offers in the region of £2k invited. Would prefer local pickup or arrange your own courier. Overseas bidders welcome. Please see the other bass I have up. Any Qs, fire away.[/quote] PM'd you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacker Posted March 9, 2010 Author Share Posted March 9, 2010 [quote name='robocorpse' post='769344' date='Mar 9 2010, 03:53 PM']I'd say find the money and buy this one (Stackers bass). Whatever Ric you buy, its always gonna be an "investment", even unloved early 4003s are starting to pick up in price now, and this FG will probably blow all of them out of the water in most respects, and it will continue to appreciate. Whatever Ric you gig with will always get the odd dink, so why not buy one thats nicely worn in, and sounds like a Ric SHOULD, rather than compromising your lust for a nice 70s one by buying a later, plain bound, Hi-Gained 80s/90s hot Rick? Unless you desperately want Hi-Gains? Seriously, whats the difference between gigging a well used £2000 bass, and a slightly cleaner £1500 bass? Once you are up in that sort of price range, I'd only worry if the bass was a minter, or a really rare colour/variant. They are meant to be played after all! I have my giggers and my home/recording basses, they all get played, but I would never gig the V63 unless it was a crucial gig that absolutely needed it, and even then it would be a kid gloves job, and I would be devastated if it got dinked. However, I can throw my 4001S round with impunity, as the previous owner already did a good job of wearing it in and chipping the edges.[/quote] That's a very good arguement, Robo. The old CV finishes on Ricks were always gonna pick up cracks and dings so it's very rare to see a mint 4001 or RM1999. That's the reason I sold the CS: I was sh*t scared of getting it trashed and I don't even gig anymore. This '73 has plenty mojo but it's no way as powerful as a V63 or CS. You gotta decide what you want from a Rick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacker Posted March 9, 2010 Author Share Posted March 9, 2010 [quote name='supabock' post='769366' date='Mar 9 2010, 04:12 PM']PM'd you[/quote] Replied........... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cocco Posted March 9, 2010 Share Posted March 9, 2010 That's a fair point. I would really love to own this bass. But if I'm spending that kind of money I'm gonna wanna play it first and it's the best part of a day away. I've never played a ric as early as this. Not that I've ever disliked one either but it's big money. But f*** me this is nice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacker Posted March 10, 2010 Author Share Posted March 10, 2010 (edited) Ok, the purchase of the instrument I was after is about to go through. As such, and against my better judgement, I am now going to float this bass on ebay with the assistance of a third party in an attempt to garner more interest, particularly from abroad. The bass is, obviously, still available here, also. Edited March 10, 2010 by Stacker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacker Posted March 10, 2010 Author Share Posted March 10, 2010 (edited) Bass now on hold for prospective buyer for 24hrs. As such, the ebay auction will also be delayed until Thursday evening. Other interested parties can still ask me Qs or whatever. Edited March 10, 2010 by Stacker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conan Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 [quote name='Stacker' post='769152' date='Mar 9 2010, 01:02 PM']the toaster is not as hot and a bit warmer.[/quote] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacker Posted March 10, 2010 Author Share Posted March 10, 2010 [quote name='Conan' post='770446' date='Mar 10 2010, 02:32 PM'] [/quote] If you have one, you'd know exactly what I was [i]trying[/i] to say............ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conan Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 [quote name='Stacker' post='770468' date='Mar 10 2010, 02:47 PM']If you have one, you'd know exactly what I was [i]trying[/i] to say............[/quote] I know. Sorry, wasn't being rude - just thought it was a great quote! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacker Posted March 11, 2010 Author Share Posted March 11, 2010 Yes, I am known for my [i]faux-pas[/i], up here. I'm just in from working away and knackered. For those awiting further pix this evening, I will do them 1st thing tomorrow. Prospective buyer still active. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacker Posted March 12, 2010 Author Share Posted March 12, 2010 (edited) Well, that's one buyer now out of the running, due to insisting to pay via PayPal. Any other interested parties please note: I can't accept PayPal for various reasons. I will accept bank draft, bank transfer, cheque and good, hard cash! The bass is going on ebay later on today and I'm sure I'll have the PayPalites shut the auction down! :wacko: I've taken some more pix so anyone interested please provide their email address. Any final takers/ OVNOs before I open this to the horde? Edited March 12, 2010 by Stacker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacker Posted March 12, 2010 Author Share Posted March 12, 2010 (edited) Bass now on evilbay and Edinburgh Gumtree. Edited March 12, 2010 by Stacker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SS73 Posted March 12, 2010 Share Posted March 12, 2010 Donny just noticed the listing, but it doesn't come up if you search Rickenbacker 4001 so you may be missing punters, perhaps put a space between 4001 and FG, cheers, Sean. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacker Posted March 13, 2010 Author Share Posted March 13, 2010 [quote name='SS73' post='773144' date='Mar 12 2010, 08:33 PM']Donny just noticed the listing, but it doesn't come up if you search Rickenbacker 4001 so you may be missing punters, perhaps put a space between 4001 and FG, cheers, Sean.[/quote] Really? How odd! Thx for the heads-up, Sean! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacker Posted March 13, 2010 Author Share Posted March 13, 2010 Ok, sorted. Start price dropped to £1800 with no BIN. First of the malicious bidders swept away! (I knew it would happen ) If it doesn't go this week-end then I'll have to raid the savings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacker Posted March 14, 2010 Author Share Posted March 14, 2010 (edited) I've ended the ebay auction before some bitter swine ended it for me. Bass is still available here, for the time being. Edited March 14, 2010 by Stacker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacker Posted March 14, 2010 Author Share Posted March 14, 2010 In all honesty, does anyone think I'm asking too much for this fella? I've just been bitched by the missus for raiding the savings for the V63 and the Jaco Navigator so this kinda has to go, boyz 'n'gurls. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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