Basses · Original Hollowbody Basses And Later Recreations
Rickenbacker Vintage 4005 BassesValue Guide
Joe’s 2026 value chart gives estimated market ranges in US dollars, organized by Rickenbacker model, production years and configuration. Check the condition and originality details before applying a range to your instrument.
Joe’s Vintage Guitars · October 2026
Rickenbacker Vintage 4005 Basses Value Chart
These are Joe’s estimated current market values in US dollars for original instruments in excellent condition, with the original case where applicable. Choose the row that matches the model, production years and configuration. A refinished, modified or repaired instrument needs a separate condition adjustment.
| Model | Years | Configuration | Estimated Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rickenbacker 4005Fireglo | 1965 to 1966 | Fireglo | $9,050 to $12,050 |
| Rickenbacker 4005Jetglo | 1965 to 1966 | Jetglo | $8,900 to $11,550 |
| Rickenbacker 4005Mapleglo | 1965 to 1966 | Mapleglo | $9,050 to $11,200 |
| Rickenbacker 4005Fireglo | 1967 to 1969 | Fireglo | $8,600 to $10,750 |
| Rickenbacker 4005Jetglo | 1967 to 1969 | Jetglo | $6,950 to $9,150 |
| Rickenbacker 4005Mapleglo | 1967 to 1969 | Mapleglo | $8,250 to $10,900 |
| Rickenbacker 4005Various colors | 1970 to 1979 | Various colors | $6,150 to $7,900 |
| Rickenbacker 4005Various colors | 1980 to 1984 | Various colors | $5,200 to $6,950 |
| Rickenbacker 4005-6Original six-string bass | 1965 to 1969 | Original six-string bass | $9,050 to $11,600 |
| Rickenbacker 4005-6Original six-string bass | 1970 to 1977 | Original six-string bass | $5,950 to $8,100 |
| Rickenbacker 4005-8Original eight-string bass | 1968 to 1969 | Original eight-string bass | $8,500 to $11,050 |
| Rickenbacker 4005WBDouble-bound old-style body, Fireglo | 1966 | Double-bound old-style body, Fireglo | $9,550 to $12,200 |
| Rickenbacker 4005WBDouble-bound old-style body, Fireglo | 1967 to 1969 | Double-bound old-style body, Fireglo | $8,500 to $10,650 |
| Rickenbacker 4005WBDouble-bound old-style body, Fireglo | 1970 to 1979 | Double-bound old-style body, Fireglo | $5,600 to $7,300 |
| Rickenbacker 4005WBDouble-bound old-style body, Fireglo | 1980 to 1983 | Double-bound old-style body, Fireglo | $5,350 to $6,700 |
Ranges are estimates of instrument market value, not purchase offers or insurance replacement values. Originality, playability, repairs and the details of the sale affect the final amount. Unlisted years and unusual variants need an individual appraisal. Later production and reissues appear only in rows that identify them.
Get A Value Estimate For Your RickenbackerAbout These PhotosThe photos show the 1968 Azureglo 4005 from Joe’s archive. They document this instrument; other years, WB versions and modern recreations differ. Click a detail photograph to enlarge it.
Identify Before You Compare
Models And Variants
- 4005
- Original hollowbody bass family; inspect the period’s pickups and appointments.
- 4005 WB
- Double-bound body variant; confirm the actual body construction.
- 4005/6
- Six-string bass version, not a standard six-string guitar.
- 4005XC / 4005V
- Later models with their own specifications and manufacturing dates.
Match The Original 4005 Configuration
An original 4005, a double-bound WB and a modern recreation belong in different groups. The chart separates the original four-string bass from six- and eight-string versions. Match the production years and original finish where the row specifies a color.
The ranges assume excellent, original condition. A moved bridge, fingerboard repair, changed pickups or refinishing needs an individual adjustment. The vintage rows do not apply to modern XC or V-series recreations, even where the body styling is similar.
Give Structural Condition A Full Description
A neck reset, fingerboard reglue or moved bridge may be necessary repair work, but buyers need to know about it. Show the result and explain whether the bass now has usable action and accurate intonation. Obtain a repair assessment for any unresolved movement or separation.
Original finish and pickups can matter to collectors, while worn frets or a broken case may be more straightforward to address. Evaluate each issue independently. There is no defensible universal percentage deduction that applies equally to a tuner swap, refinishing and a major neck repair.
Check Rare Colors And Repair History
A scarce original color can affect demand, but a blue finish by itself does not prove a factory Azureglo example. Verify the finish and date before assigning a premium. The chart does not supply a separate Azureglo range, so an original-color claim should be reviewed individually.
For an offer, include the full serial, body edges, heel, bridge side views, both headstock faces and clear photos of finish wear. Keep the original case and documentation with the bass. Explain any repairs a future owner will need to undertake.
From Market Value To An Offer
Start with the chart row for the correct model, years and configuration. The ranges describe estimated market value for excellent, original instruments. A direct purchase offer also accounts for condition, needed work and the time involved in preparing the instrument for its next owner.
- Confirm the model and year. Use the matching authentication guide and document the serial, construction and original configuration. Do not apply a rare-variant range before confirming that identity.
- Account for known work. Get a specific repair estimate. Do not apply a universal percentage for every refinish, neck repair or changed pickup. See the changes that affect vintage guitar value.
- Estimate your net proceeds. For a private sale, subtract actual selling fees, shipping, insurance and agreed repairs from the expected selling price. A hypothetical $4,000 sale with $400 in total costs would net $3,600; those figures illustrate arithmetic, not a fee schedule or this model’s value.
- Compare the complete offer. Include who handles packing, payment, shipping and any repairs. A direct purchase offer should be assessed on its terms and certainty as well as the dollar amount.
Use the matching authentication guide before assigning a premium for originality or an unusual version.
Photos For An Appraisal
Take unfiltered photographs in even light. Include the full front and back, both headstock faces, the entire serial or other markings, pickups, controls, bridge, neck joint and any damage. Add the measurements or model-specific views described above. Photograph the case, paperwork and removed parts separately.
You do not need to take the instrument apart for an initial review. If a detail cannot be seen, say so. A clear statement of known repairs and unknown history is more useful than an unsupported claim of complete originality.
Have A Rickenbacker To Identify Or Sell?
Send Joe your photos and any known history. We can help identify the instrument, discuss its condition and make an offer if you are ready to sell.
Related Rickenbacker Guides
Photo Credits And Scope
Photographs are from Joe’s Vintage Guitars’ instrument archive. Captions identify the actual instrument shown, including related-model and later-production comparisons. Full frames and existing watermarks are retained. A photograph of another model is not evidence of the correct construction for yours.