The Last Bass Outpost
Gear Discussion Forums => Rickenbacker Basses => Topic started by: chromium on October 13, 2012, 02:04:57 PM
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I obviously don't, and I'm just curious if any of you might have noticed what they were asking for this bass?
http://www.elderly.com/items/55U-2570.htm
(http://www.elderly.com/items/images/55U/55U-2570_headstock-front.jpg)
It's at a pawn shop nearby me, and before I go check it out I'm just trying to strategize as to what might be a fair offer? This will be a longshot given what they are asking on Ebay, but ya never know.
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That looks like the old "Ruby" color rather than "Red." An 8-string in great condition should fetch $1800-$2400 I should think. But if it is at a pawn shop, you may be able to negotiate some.
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I do look at the elderly page somewhat regularly (I even bought my 4004 BBR there last year). But apparently not regular enough to have noticed this. ;-)
I agree with Paul. I paid 2000 euro myself for my 2000 4003s/8 last year (got it via RRF). Usually what we pay in Euro's you pay in dollars. (2000 here=2000 there)
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That looks like the old "Ruby" color rather than "Red." An 8-string in great condition should fetch $1800-$2400 I should think. But if it is at a pawn shop, you may be able to negotiate some.
That sounds about right to me on the price. I paid $2225 for my gorgeous FireGlo 4003S/8 about 4 years ago.
Gotta disagree on the color though. Looks way more red than ruby on my monitor.
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The current reintroduced "Ruby" is much darker than some of the earlier version of "Ruby" (available from 1981 to '89). The original color was a clear red over metallic silver, the "candy color" method of producing the deep specular reflections you would see on custom cars. But the real clue is the pairing of the color with the trim. "Red" (which was a solid, non-metallic, fire-engine red) came standard with black trim and hardware. Ruby came standard with white trim and chrome hardware. That said, there are examples of "reverse trim" found for each of those colors: Ruby with black, and Red with white/chrome. But they are rare. RIC charged extra for doing a reverse trim on an order, so not many buyers ordered it. Anyway, these photos (to my eye, anyway) suggest the early version of Ruby – there's a slightly cool, pinkish cast – while Red had a slightly orangey cast. Could be the photos or my monitor. If anyone can examine this example, look for those deep metallic reflections. If you see 'em, say hello to "Ruby"!
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Interesting to note that the string courses have been reversed - this is the way I prefer and had my S/8 done this way too. Hope you snag it!
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Thanks everyone!
I went and checked it out today. It's definitely a red (opaque red, not a metallic-base-candy-type red). Its in beautiful shape, but the setup on it was horrendous. The stings were ~5/8" off the board in the middle register! I know some folks like high action, but this thing was setup for bow hunting!
This concerns me knowing that some s8s have neck issues, and this one seems to have changed hands a couple of times. Without spending some time with the setup, I don't know the extent of what I'd be up against. You'd figure an almost 20-year-old bass would have its setup reasonably dialed in, and so I took it as a warning sign and left. I got the feeling I could get the bass in the lower 2k range, but not sure I want to risk it...
Did you folks have any issues getting your s8s setup? Am I being too paranoid?
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I had string order reversed by a luthier ( http://www.guncustoms.nl ) on mine . He also did the setup and I have not had a problem since.
I can not give you advice on the bass you saw. Bad setups can have many reasons including human error, but also neck problems. Can't you tell it has a bad setup to the shop owner and ask if you are allowed to do it right?
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I have read many times about bowed necks and maxed out truss rods on S/8s, even with ultra-light strings. In some cases it was repairable, in others - not. You are definitely not paranoid.
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My S/8 has never had any setup issues whatsoever. I do know of at least one person on the forum who had major issues with theirs though. I'd want to see it set up properly before buying.
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You must be talking about Uwe's. After reading his experiences, there's no way I would even consider one without a thorough checkup. Not that I'd be looking for an 8 anyway.
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This it?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170925538270&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:US:1123
Says there's a 14 day return window. Maybe he'll do the same for you and you can take it to someone to check out.
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Good point, Carlo. Given how far off the setup is, I don't think this is an adjustment that could be accomplished easily in the store prior to purchase (had a couple basses arrive like this, and it took days of incremental adjustment to dial in).
They might just be stating that 14-day return window in the auction knowing that they'll have no choice but to take it back in an Ebay sale ;). Trust me, whomever snags this via Ebay will be pissed. It is nearly unplayable, and there is no mention of that in the auction.
I knew there was a thread somewhere about similar problems! Found it:
http://bassoutpost.com/index.php?topic=2845.msg41415#msg41415
That sounds exactly like this bass - the massive bow in the neck seems to be what is causing the problems.
Part of me wants to give it a go, which might end with me attempting to swap the rods as described there. The other part of me isn't looking for another project. :-\
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As long as you are ready to swap the truss rods twice, reverse the reg string/octave string sequence, have the neck honed, the fretboard removed and replaced by a thicker one plus have the bridge countersunk into the body - little things really -, these basses are geared to give you a lifetime of reliable, troublefree enjoyment whenever you have half a day to do the necessary small adjustments after not having played them for, say, a week (AND having made the above alterations, of course). That makes playing an 8-string Ric such a special event in any bassist's life, far removed from banal utilitarian routine. Which is why the Ric 8ies have been a consistent seller in Ric's catalogue and immediately seen a replacement model charge new sales peaks after the original one was honorably retired for its continuous, undiluted success.
(http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQo2aZS-ubhMa4VSzTkvE3SdY53XOQtQPLkpuq_eGaB3UMfmZgfbg)
When it comes to mulit-string basses, one can rely on the fact that the good people of Ric always come up with the optimized solution in the end - after having duly exhausted all other available options in extensive field studies with their customers of course, but then that is an Amercian tradition! 8)
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Cool! I am always looking for something to do! But I want it to be black. I mean Jet Glo.
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As long as you are ready to swap the truss rods twice, reverse the reg string/octave string sequence, have the neck honed, the fretboard removed and replaced by a thicker one plus have the bridge countersunk into the body - little things really -, these basses are geared to give you a lifetime of reliable, troublefree enjoyment whenever you have half a day to do the necessary small adjustments after not having played them for, say, a week (AND having made the above alterations, of course). That makes playing an 8-string Ric such a special event in any bassist's life, far removed from banal utilitarian routine. Which is why the Ric 8ies have been a consistent seller in Ric's catalogue and immediately seen a replacement model charge new sales peaks after the original one was honorably retired for its continuous, undiluted success.
This pawn shop should contract you to write their Ebay auction copy going forward! ;D
The s8 here struck me as a similar specimen to yours and dminer's (from that old thread above). Having been through Elderly and possibly Mike Parks (according to a post at RR), I suspect that it had been adjusted in the past and then bananafied itself again...
This bass was not the one for me. I would take on that risk and work in the 1500-1800 range (a MG went for the former on TB earlier this year), or just try to buy one that is known to be stable. Seems like Harry and Tom here have had good luck with them in that respect, and I'm not in any rush. It was nice to be able to try one and now I have a better idea of what to ask when the next one surfaces.
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I'll say that for it: If it's nicely set up and you take some time with it, is has a nice, musical mellow sound, great for fooling around with delay and pretending to be The Edge. In a band setting, whenever you have to play it harder, it loses much of its charm, but still its sound - unlike the construction - is its strong point. And it looks gorgeous.
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This bass was not the one for me. (...) I'm not in any rush. It was nice to be able to try one and now I have a better idea of what to ask when the next one surfaces.
I think you made the right decision.
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There's this amazing silver one up now. Priced high, but nice to look at!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/121007510339?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT (http://www.ebay.com/itm/121007510339?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT)
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There's this amazing silver one up now. Priced high, but nice to look at!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/121007510339?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT (http://www.ebay.com/itm/121007510339?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT)
Really nice shape and the silver hasn't turned too greenish.
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That is a beauty!
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How about this Jetglo -
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rickenbacker-4003S-8-String-Bass-Jetglo-w-hardshell-case-/251179582363?_trksid=p2045573.m2042&_trkparms=aid%3D111000%26algo%3DREC.CURRENT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D27%26meid%3D3261951662138246814%26pid%3D100033%26prg%3D1011%26rk%3D1%26sd%3D251179582363%26
(http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Rickenbacker-4003S-8-String-Bass-Jetglo-w-hardshell-case-/00/s/MTI4MFg5NjA=/$(KGrHqNHJCsFBr7cthzwBQlyVibk4Q~~60_12.JPG)
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^^ that black s8 looks beautiful, but no way I'm going 3k on one. Apparently no one else is either- been up three times now.
As for the red s8 in my OP, it looks like whomever bought it off Ebay for $2750 has returned it - now its back at the same pawn shop for 2K starting bid (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170950415047&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:US:1123) (which was coincidentally my max offer to the guy).
Its a boomerang! ...in more ways than one ;D
(oh.. but the "neck is straight and true no warps" now, according to the auction :rolleyes:)
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In a word (or eight: bend me, shape me, anyway you want me):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXZJ6PBXjSs
Not the original Amen Corner version, but I have a hunch you Ricsters will enjoy this particular bass player's choice of instrument (not an 8ie though)!
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Not the original Amen Corner version, but I have a hunch you Ricsters will enjoy this particular bass player's choice of instrument (not an 8ie though)!
Amen Corner was the fourth version, not the original. However, none of the earlier versions had Terry-Thomas!
First version was an album cut by the Outsiders (the American "Time Won't Let Me" group, not the Wally Tax Dutch group). First single was by a psychedelic girl group called the Models.
First hit version was by The American Breed in late 1967. Dig the drummer's technique. ;D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2KcvJ5Q5mo
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Ah, somethin' new learned then!
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Dig the drummer's technique. ;D
He definitely can't be faulted as being heavy handed! ;D
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That is some serious pornstache on the bassist's face.
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The Rick bass in the Hello version appears to be a pre-mid-1973 4001 in White (or refinished in white). Pretty rare for those days. The closeup reveals the sparkly, full-width, crushed-pearl inlays that were discontinued by mid 1973.
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I schemed for this a long time, Hello in the Ric forum!!! :mrgreen:
More of that Ric - and before Dave intervenes: Their version preceded Ace Frehley's several years (and is superior to it in its stompy glam charm IMHO).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scfB8Sm2Hog