Help! Is this a real Rickenbacker?!?

[i_try_to_bass]

Hello fellow bassists! First post on the forum, so thanks in advance for all your help and support

As most of us do, I've been dreaming of owning a Rick 4001/4003 bass since I started playing. An ad came up on Offerup near me, and my jaw dropped. Not many details were given; the screenshot I included is all we have to work with save for seeing this thing in person.

The guy has about 20 - 30 other guitars up for sale and is apparently trying to cut those numbers down. Even still, does this look legit to you Rickenbacker enthusiasts? Seems to me like a replaced pickup and bridge, but I've been a Fender guy up until now, so I've only held a 4003 in a Guitar Center. Plus he's a gigging musician, so theres a chance he just swapped some parts out (would be replaced with genuine Ric parts again).

But if the consensus is that this puppy is legit, I'm bringing it home.
IS THIS A REAL RIC???

 

[flojob]

No idea, but if it’s real, that’s a good price

 

[bobomatic]

Run, don’t walk. It doesn’t get more fake than that. People SUCK.

 

[Jeff Scott]

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGHHHHHH,No friggin way.

Keeeeeeeeel da Monshter!!!



Hope this helps.

 

[Slater]

...It doesn’t get more fake than that...

Unfortunately, yes it does.

 

[MrMoonlight]

Fake. Absolutely no doubt.

 

[BAG]

Might not be a real Ric but it looks better than just about every Ric I've seen.

 

[QweziRider]

Not even close to real.

 

[Skybone]

Bridge pickup is too far back, the bridge is Chinabacker.

Nice bass, but not a real Ric (and overpriced too IMO).

 

[subdude67]

Nobody would sell a real Ric in that condition for 500 dollars!

 

[user362432]

You can get a brand new from China for $350

 

[i_try_to_bass]

Alright, thanks for the input. I was hoping this was a good deal as I've struck a few before, but my suspicions were right. Glad to have dodged a bullet.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

Your basic Chickenbacker. This (again) confirms that counterfeiting isn’t always a victimless crime. The Bozo seller probably paid under $400 for it, and knows damn well it’s a fake, but still tries to foist it off as real with a little price padding in the mix. I’ve played one, they don’t sound much like a Ric, and the fret work sucked.

 

[user362432]

Your basic Chickenbacker. This (again) confirms that counterfeiting isn’t always a victimless crime. The Bozo seller probably paid under $400 for it, and knows damn well it’s a fake, but still tries to foist it off as real with a little price padding in the mix. I’ve played one, they don’t sound much like a Ric, and the fret work sucked.

In the times when everything is FAKE, it is not surprise. I don't have problem with people who are buying it for personal use from China. But, I have problem with people trying to sell it as the real one.
Guy obviously doing a little side job with Chinese guitars, based on OP description...

 

[jamro217]

Don't slap the bass, punch the seller.

 

[dennis james]

The guy probably has some ocean front property in Arizona for sale at a real good price too.

 

[Tom Gallo]

Aside from the things people have mentioned a real rickenbacker tuxedo bass has a white fingerboard.

 

[gln1955]

Nobody sells a Ric for $500. That should be your first clue.

 

[Ric5]

Hello fellow bassists! First post on the forum, so thanks in advance for all your help and support

As most of us do, I've been dreaming of owning a Rick 4001/4003 bass since I started playing. An ad came up on Offerup near me, and my jaw dropped. Not many details were given; the screenshot I included is all we have to work with save for seeing this thing in person.

The guy has about 20 - 30 other guitars up for sale and is apparently trying to cut those numbers down. Even still, does this look legit to you Rickenbacker enthusiasts? Seems to me like a replaced pickup and bridge, but I've been a Fender guy up until now, so I've only held a 4003 in a Guitar Center. Plus he's a gigging musician, so theres a chance he just swapped some parts out (would be replaced with genuine Ric parts again).View attachment 3167938
But if the consensus is that this puppy is legit, I'm bringing it home.
IS THIS A REAL RIC???

Chinese faker

 

[Jimruth]

Plus: ad says it’s a “Model 500,” but it clearly is (or is trying to be) a 4000-series bass.