Ricky 4001s

[Cam]

Hi. The Rick 4001s is not in my frame of experience. I'm helping a widow price one for estate sale. I believe this one to be from the 70's although I'm not totally sure. It is in good condition with case. What is the value? No I am not interested in it and I want her to ask and get fair value. I have checked ebay too. Thanks in advance.

[marshman]

I'm pretty sure you can get the actual year of manufacture (if not the date) from the serial number--I might be Rickenb's website where I saw that...SN shuold be on the output jack plate.

Originality will also be key. People tend to be pretty worked up about the pickup cover, even though it's the first thing most of 'em take off.

Good Luck.

[FirstBassman]

Originally Posted by marshman

I'm pretty sure you can get the actual year of manufacture (if not the date) from the serial number--

Yes, RIC's Serial Number "Decoder" is here:

http://www.rickenbacker.com/service_serials.asp

The Serial Number is located on the jack plate. Combine the numbers from above and below the jack input as seen in the photo on the above web link.

As we have discussed here before, the price of used Rickenbacker instruments have an interesting history. I used to follow the guitar prices, not basses, sorry.

But the recent sold prices on eBay (not the asking price) will give you a pretty good idea.

You can also ask the members at the Rick Resource Forum.

[psychetelec]

A 4001S is prob gonna go for more than a 4001 as the plain-jane S is in fashion right now. Are you sure it's an S?

[Cam]

Yep, Stereo out, sn says it is a 78.

[psychetelec]

Originally Posted by Cam

Yep, Stereo out, sn says it is a 78.

That's why I asked. Stereo out makes it a 4001 not a 4001S.

[Wally]

I checked with my 'Rickenbacker' book by Richard SMith. In it, he makes no direct delineation between the 4001S(Export model 1999) and the 4001 regarding the Rick-o-sound stereo. HE mentions that the ROS was special order only in the beginning of the 4001. The option was unusual in the '60's and the first listing in the price sheet for the option was in 1971.
IN the section for 4001S Ric's, SMith doesn't mention the ROS at all. I had never noted this difference, but then there are so few Ric basses floating around out here in the desert.
The differences that he does mention are the lack of binding and the dot inlays for the 4001S vs. the binding and triangle inlays for the 4001. I would imagine that the 4001S has the cachet among players due to the connetion to Paul McCartney and Chris Squire.
That said, my latest book on values show the 4001 to be considerably more valuable...50% above the 4001S for that era. I don't know what the latest actual sales reveal....and the market is 'up in the air' for vintage instruments, it seems.

[psychetelec]

Well it's been fun arguing basic Ric knowledge with you but I give up. A '78 Ric bass with ROS is NOT an S. Enjoy. Here's my current Rics.

[Wally]

The ROS was available on the 4001 and the 4001S. The 'S' designation indicated inlay and binding difference, I do believe.
And....where's the argument?