As you know from page one, this guitar was born in the Rickenbacker factory in April of 1973. As far as I can tell, this is a 2 owner guitar. I bought it used from Terminal Music in New York City (on 48th street right next to Manny's and Sam Ash) in the Summer of 1974.  The previous owner had carved his name (or initials) into the name plate at the top of the base near the tuning pegs (see 3rd picture in the 2nd row of thumbnails for a close-up).  I think it says BULB or BULP. Anyway, if Bulb was the secret identity of some big name rock star (like maybe Gene Simmons of Kiss) then we have added value to this already legendary base guitar (although there's a greater chance that by this time, Bulb is now managing the gas station he winded up working at back in the mid-70's when his girlfriend made him quit the band so they could have more time to hang out together).

        Back in '74, I was switching over from rhythm guitar so I practiced for awhile, then joined a very spiffy top 40 band where we all dressed alike and played really mediocre easy listening stuff that was hardly worthy of the Rickenbacker sound. Plans were underway to escape from Perry Como's sweater, get two lead guitarists, a great drummer and a very versatile singer  and get back to rock n' roll. By '76 things were rockin' again, practicing a couple of times during the week and playing the bar circuit as many weekends as we could. So, several rock bands later, the base (and me) were retired to very part time duty in 1979 as I burned out on the whole band business thing. Through all the bands I played in the base was never abused (no windmills, Pete Townsend things or acts of pedophilia ... no one ever had sex with this base). I wish I paid better attention to what the belt buckle was doing to the finish, but at the time I wasn't thinking preservation. There are some nicks at the head, which were probably caused from banging into the drummer's cymbals (as I recall that happened a few hundred times).

        So, in 1979, into the closet went the base in it's case. I'd pull it out about once a month and play to the stereo, but the lady I married felt threatened by the whole base guitar, rock 'n roll band thing, so I had to have my rock and roll fantasies when she wasn't home. See, I can relate to Bulb. There were probably periods when I didn't play for months at a time. The base in it's case in the closet, always standing straight up (never flat).

        As I stated on page 1, the base has never been modified or had any work done. No fret jobs, pick-up changes, alignments or anything. This is probably something the next owner might want to do as it has been sitting so long. The A string buzzes without placing a small piece of matchbook cover under the string holder near the head (excuse my lack of proper guitar terminology). Still, it works. While jamming with myself in 2001, I popped one of the 23 year-old strings and ended up putting on a brand new set of Roto-Sound strings I had in the case all those years. That set of strings has very few hours on it. I just polished the guitar up for the photo session, but I'm sure it can use a more timely, professional cleaning. The pictures on page one tell the story.  Depending on what operating system you are on, you can click on the thumbnail, then click on a smaller photo icon that gives you even more close detail. Oh ... I'm selling it 1) because I need to buy a car, and 2) becuase I don't use it. Any question, write or call.  If this base goes into auction good luck on your bids.