Cool Rics on eBay / Reverb / Craigslist

[Happy Face]

Way too optimistic on the pricing. By $1000 on each at a minimum.

A very yellowed '87 4003SPC Tuxedo ($3,299) and '89 Blackstar ($4,000) on Reverb.

They seem less sought-after than ten years ago. Maybe all the Ric collectors who want an SPC have already bought one.

[Dave W]

Most Ric aficionados won't consider the Duncan pickup on the Tuxedo an "upgrade". It's easily replaced but it wouldn't be original and should detract from the value. The Blackstar's condition, doesn't qualify as Very Good, IMHO. Prices of both do seem high, but I haven't followed what these have been selling for in recent years.

[ilan]

I get the impression that with all the limited runs and one-offs, some of them really beautiful, the past singularity and collectibility of the SPCs was diluted. And they don't age very well (especially the Tux).

[Happy Face]

Most Ric aficionados won't consider the Duncan pickup on the Tuxedo an "upgrade". It's easily replaced but it wouldn't be original and should detract from the value. The Blackstar's condition, doesn't qualify as Very Good, IMHO. Prices of both do seem high, but I haven't followed what these have been selling for in recent years.

Speaking from direct experience, a few Blackstars traded in the $2700-2800 range in the last two years. And though fewer were made, Tuxes change hands for at least $600 less.

[ilan]

Oct. '67 4001 FG. It's a classic. THE classic as far as Rics go.

Seller says he's from Bristol, TN but the shipping says "Economy SpeedPAK from China/Hong Kong/Taiwan". So that's a red light.

Plus, a bass like that starting at $0.99 with no reserve, that's another red light and sirens going off as well. And $15 int'l shipping?

Too good to be true, so I think it probably isn't.

But a nice pic to look at, right?

[Dave W]

It's gone. Probably a scammer who swiped an old listing.

[Alanko]

The exact same scam crops up with vintage cars as well. All sorts of minty cars appear for £0.99, no reserve. A few people over on the 'Piston Heads' forum have stories of what happens when you 'win' one of these cars.

[ilan]

SILVER! When was the last time you saw one for sale? $2,499 BIN

Greenish as they all are now, but imho nicer than when new.

[Happy Face]

Yes, it's cool looking. On my screen it's almost like the color on an old Gretsch guitar.

But what really struck me in the ad was how good the photographs are.

[Dave W]

Want!

[amptech]

Oooh! Silver Machine! First time I've seen one.

[gearHed289]

Needs a black pickguard and TRC. I almost bought a silver 4003 back around 2000. Had white binding and a mirror pickguard.

[Paul Boyer]

It's a rare "reverse trim" Silver as that color came standard with black binding, plastic, and blackened hardware. Don't see many Silver with the white/chrome trim cause that cost extra at the time. Silver was available from 1985 to 1989. The same silver paint formed the base coat for the early two-part Ruby and Midnight blue - silver overcoated with translucent red or blue, like Kandy Kolors.

[gearHed289]

It's a rare "reverse trim" Silver as that color came standard with black binding, plastic, and blackened hardware. Don't see many Silver with the white/chrome trim cause that cost extra at the time. Silver was available from 1985 to 1989. The same silver paint formed the base coat for the early two-part Ruby and Midnight blue - silver overcoated with translucent red or blue, like Kandy Kolors.

The weird part is, the binding is black.

[Paul Boyer]

Oh, right. Duh. Some owner along the way swapped out all the hardware and plastic. Not bad looking, though.