Old Horse Murphy

[quote name='synaesthesia' post='92701' date='Nov 22 2007, 12:59 PM']EMAIL RIC with the serial number, they should have the records. They are very standoffish people though, you have been warned. The serial number is on the jackplate (of all places). John Hall has gone on record to say they have never used Vermillion on a fingerboard. The body size should be the same. The model with the dots and no binding was a Rose Morris import request in the 60s to be competitive in pricing in the UK market then. So it originated in the UK, though the model 4000 with a single pickup was similar. The standard 4001 then being bound and blocked (sharktooth) necked. The model in the UK was known as "1999" and 4001S in the US. I can tell you that for the colour, and the signature pickguard, there is no difference between my dot necked , no binding, jetglo 4001sV63 and the CS, though the headstock wood for the black instrument may be different (I can't tell). The fingerboard is similar though and is a rosewood variant. Mister Squire's bass was refinished in Soho by a Chinese repairman. Mr Macartney's bass was painted in the Sgt Pepper era, and cleaned up later, with some vicious sanding which actually changed the shape of the horns. I don't know that the Squire bass was sanded viciously or not when it was refinished, probably... BTW, Chris Squire is on the RIC forum.[/quote] Thanks very much for the info- much appreciated. RIC has confirmed that the Serial number tallies with their records (dates from 1999) but they didn't tell me which number in the series it is!! I'll try them again (they seem a bit precious).

[quote name='Aussiephoenix' post='92129' date='Nov 21 2007, 01:21 PM']arent the dot markers supposed to be sharkfin inlays?[/quote] Not on this model. It's based on Chris Squire's original Rickenbacker RM1999 bass, which was a variation on the 4001 which has the fins

[quote name='Geddys nose' post='92017' date='Nov 21 2007, 10:06 AM']I would think thats my dream bass I love how it looks like its wrapped in that cream finish almost like a chocolate bar! Great Score and a great looking bass.S[/quote] You've made me feel hungry now....

Thanks for the kind words guys. It really is in very good nick and I still can't believe I found it where I did. When I showed Alice last night, she actually said she liked it!! I don't think that gives me permission to keep it though. I'd be very reluctant to use it in anger and gig it. I'm in 2 minds though. It's a beautiful instrument and has obviously been well looked after. BUT.......it is an instrument after all and I feel it should be treated as such. A bit of a dilemma (a nice one to have though). At some stage I will probably move it on and let someone else decide what they want it for (I can't afford an expensive ornament like this). At the moment though it's sitting nicely snuggled between my other basses, winking at me.

Well, after a bit of a clean up, the bass is as good as new. It was built in 1999 (although I'm still waiting to confirm what number it is out of the 1000 made). It sounds classic Rickenbacker and plays reall quickly due to the thin neck. The fretboard has really unusual white flecks running through it (I'm not sure if its the same wood as the wings on the headstock; if it is, then its Vermilion.) The horseshoe pickup looks amazing and the condition is excellent (a few tiny dings on the back and a mark on the upper and lower edge but I think you only notice them because the body is light coloured). The official colour is Cream Colorglo and the pickguard is clear plastic which has been painted on the back and had Chris Squire's signature too. Unlike most modern Rickenbackers, there's only one input jack (a mono one) and there's no binding on either the body or neck. It body size is a fair bit smaller than a normal 4001/4003. Whenever I used to see Chris Squire playing this bass in photos I used to think he was a giant with hands the size of plates! It's actually quite a small bass that tucks neatly under the arm (very comfortable).

[quote name='Crazykiwi' post='91796' date='Nov 20 2007, 08:37 PM']Wasn't a thin neck one of the specific requests of Chris Squire? Do you think you've made much on the deal? Nice score, Sir if you did! [/quote] It certainly was a requirement of CS, but I guess you never know how thin until you try!! It's verrry fast and feels a million miles from my P-Bass. I've done a bit of research and I think it's worth around £2K, so I'd make a bit on it. A few people have suggested holding on to it until the $ strengthens. I might just do that...just for a while you understand

Got it home and just plugged it in. I now see what all the fuss is about sound-wise, but the neck is probably too thin for me. It's pretty much immaculate (a few marks but they show up more on a light body). Pictures to follow.

Congratulations gareth- it sounds like a nice place to be at. I don't think I'm quite there yet. Most of the pieces to the puzzle are in place, but there are 1 or 2 gaps left to fill (nothing major). How long has it taken me and how much has it cost me? I dread to think. Like a lot of people though, I've actually gone for a simpler more "organic" set up than I have in the past. Now all I need to do is make sure I'm worthy of the kit I have...

[quote name='Rich' post='90929' date='Nov 19 2007, 04:41 PM']When you flog it (sounds like you're bound to really!), for god's sake make sure you give her a good chunk of the profits to buy herself something nice/sparkly/with heels. [/quote] The way I look at it, as long as I cover the initial outlay I'm in the clear. Anything I make on top, well.....it could go towards a deposit for something else (thanks for the ideas Old Git!!) and maybe some flowers for the Mrs!!

[quote name='synaesthesia' post='90925' date='Nov 19 2007, 04:31 PM']Good on you. It's a good bass, you'll get a decent return on it if you sit on it and hang on for a while. I had one of the 4 lefties ever made and sold it to a Yes collector about 5 years ago. It didn't sound any different to my 4001v63 though. Ric signature guitars hold their value, and will go for more if you have the tags etc. As I type I am selling a lefty 360/12v64 to a collector Chicago, and that is not even a signature guitar... but all I will say is I will get a good return on it despite selling it for less that what I can get if I flog it on the bay. FYI, there were 1000 4001CS 's made, and 4 were lefty. The most elusive of all signature models, and the one that fetches the best prices (averaging $10K USD) is the Susanna Hoffs model.[/quote] Thanks for the info. I always fancied the Susanna Hoffs model (in more ways than one!) It's a shame it doesn't come with the case and candy and I think I've got a really mission to find them separately from the bass. Still, in my opinion I've got the important part in my possession. I'm really looking forward to trying it out tomorrow, but if I do keep it, it will definitely have to be for using rather than keeping it safe. Because of that, I'm not sure I'll be the right person to keep this long-term. We'll see though.

[quote name='tauzero' post='90862' date='Nov 19 2007, 02:56 PM']It is easier to seek forgiveness than to ask for permission... [/quote] You lot are going to get me in to so much trouble at home...

[quote name='GreeneKing' post='90817' date='Nov 19 2007, 02:07 PM']Bugger This bass is presently being auctioned on eBay. Is this ethical? I was going to bid for it too Over 5 days to run and at least 18 bids. Peter[/quote] Sorry Peter. I didn't know it was on Ebay. I thought it was one of those "Car Boot Sale" moments where nobody else had noticed it (apart from the guy I was bidding against). I'm happy to give you first refusal if I don't get on with it.

[quote name='OldGit' post='90813' date='Nov 19 2007, 02:01 PM']You certainly should do a "reasonable amount" of searching to make sure it's not nicked, preferably before the deal is cold. At least call the local police station. If it is stolen property and you sell it on Ebay and the police come round and pick it up you get nothing. Zero, de nada in compensation and you probably have no come back on CC either. I think your wife may have a few words to say if that happens .....[/quote] I actually phoned the local Police station at lunchtime, as well as check on a few of the Rickenbacker forums. Nothing on any of them. I also got confirmation from CC that they had done the appropriate checks/ID verification so I'm happy with that As for my wife....she took it calmly. I think I'm in for a whole heap of trouble when I get home

[quote name='Machines' post='90757' date='Nov 19 2007, 12:06 PM']If you're suspicious of it you should check out some Ric forums to make sure the serial isn't listed as stolen.[/quote] I had a quick check and nothing is appearing yet. Good news!!

[quote name='Geddys nose' post='90755' date='Nov 19 2007, 12:03 PM']Thats a great deal Well done! I'm sure if you don't like it you will get +£2K for it quite easily, Like I said on my Crack Converter thread I wonder how much they bought it for [/quote] I've just seen your thread and agree entirely. I don't think I want to know how the previous owner came to own it either...

Okay, but you're all sworn to secrecy. I paid £1650 for it which I simply don't have at the moment. I've done a bit of research on it and one went recently (with case etc) for £2.9K and I've been offered £2K for it if it doesn't float my boat. I feel a bit better for getting that off my chest.

[quote name='Machines' post='90732' date='Nov 19 2007, 11:26 AM']Are you going to spill the beans on price ? [/quote] Let me tell my wife first....

[quote name='David Nimrod' post='90715' date='Nov 19 2007, 10:53 AM']This (I think) was the CC's eBay listing... Item number: 190175030190 Check under 'Completed Listings'[/quote] I must be the same one. Same shop and everything (unless they've got a production line in place!!)

[quote name='David Nimrod' post='90708' date='Nov 19 2007, 10:41 AM']Wow!!!!!!!!! You lucky guy ;-) This is the one on eBay, right? You lucky guy, how much? Go on, tell us ;-)[/quote] Didn't know there was one on Ebay, but I can't imagine there are too many floating around!!

First meeting of the week. Monday morning in Lewisham. Took me ages to get there, pissing with rain etc. Before I went in to my meeting, I decided I'd kill a few minutes browsing in a few shop windows. Cash Converters had a Rickenbacker Chris Squire in their display!!! I felt sick, dizzy and slightly panicky. I rubbe dmy eyes but it was there alright! Cut a long story short, it's a genuine Chris Squire Ltd Edition, no case or certificate but it's real. I got in to a bidding war with somebody else in the shop and basically I won. he even shook my hand afterwards (nice guy). I'm not going to get a chance to play with it tonight and sat through the whole meeting feeling elated but slightly worried too (it wasn't cheap). If this Riccy plays like any of the other Riccy's I 've had in the past, it's going to be a short love affair. I've never got on with them. However, just to say I owned a Chris Squire for a short period of time is a good thing. I'm going for a lie down now, but Pics to follow.