Rickenbacker 4001

[PunkRockBassist]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rickenbacker-40 ... f02219a#sf

[AzWhoFan]

ya sure don't see these every day.

I gotta wonder how true this statement is:
"I've been able to determine is that only twelve left handed 4001 V63 models were made throughout its production run. Of these 12 only 6 remain in the United States". I wonder if he meant for that year or for all V63's?

'Cause if there's only 12 out there in total, my retirement fund just got a little healthier

[markcv]

@ AzWhoFan: you have one of these?

[AzWhoFan]

Yessir, I do. In FireGlo. There is a pic of it somewhere on the site in the gallery. I'll see if I can scare up a more recent shot.

[AzWhoFan]

Found some ... not the best shots in the world, but they will have to do until I take some more recent ones. These pics are 3 years old maybe?

[markcv]

Wow! That's a beaut!

I'm not much of a Rick expert but that square neck heel sure seems excessive. I really noticed it on the MapleGlo version. Definitely more obtrusive than the rounded heel on the 4003. Do you find that it gets in the way at all? It seems kind of odd to me that a neck heel is even necessary when it is a neck through as these basses are.

May I ask what your thoughts are in regards to fair market value?

[AzWhoFan]

I rarely play at or above the 17th fret, so the neckheel is not an issue for me. Regardless, I don't find it gets in the way at all. Still plenty of room to curl your wrist at the highest frets, and it's not a stretch at all to get to the last fret before you hit the heel.

As for the market value of this bass? Anyone's guess really. It just depends on the day. Minty lefty Ric guitars and basses regularly go for north of $2400. Given ricjonesica's (sp) statement about there being only 12 lefty's made, it may go for more. But in these economic conditions, who really knows? In more 'normal' times, it would probably fetch $3500 or more IMO, assuming it was drop dead mint.

If it is true there's only 12 V63's around, you'd have to offer me a LOT more than $3500 for me to even consider it

[AzWhoFan]

here's a link to some pics I took today. The lighting in my office is terrible, we're using CFL's. Ugh!

My V63 FG

and a couple of teaser shots

[markcv]

I see the bids are up to $1800 at this point. Anybody here trying?

[AustinLeftyBass]

Not me, I've got enuff Rics.

[cangaroo]

I'd like to bid on it, but the seller (apparently) ships only to US, plus you can't submit question to the user.

[pjmuck]

I remember there was a fireglo lefty 4001 V63 in the music store near where I lived in Brooklyn back in the late 90's (or maybe it was the same year as this one: 2000?). Asking price was $1100, and I scoffed at that at the time. Who knew?

Having never played a toaster/horseshoe Rick, I'm curious how they compare tonally to the hi gain button PUPs. I've heard some people state they actually prefer the hi gains, though I'm not sure why.

[markcv]

Looks like it's gone. Anybody here get it?

[bigevilrobot]

reserve wasn't met, and that was at $2350, really curious to see what the reserve actually was. I'm guessing over $3000

[markcv]

Considering how rare these critters are, and if a person wanted one, what might the feasibility of having an "exact" copy built by somebody? Any feedback? Rodent? Any ideas on cost? I can't see it costing more than what some of these people are charging for these Ricks.

I see that Hipshot is making a Rickenbacker replacement bridge, not exact but certainly from a distance it captures the look and I understand that the functionality and sound is better too. Then the only question would be pickups... hmmm...

[Lefty007]

Wow, nice Rics. My guess also is that the reserve was more than $3000. I've exchange e-mails in the past with that eBay seller, and he seems like a really nice guy, and very knowledgeable.