"I would really like to be able to afford and play a Rickenbacker 4003 fretless bass."
I've had a number of 4003s over the years, but not fretless. I've also had a 4001 and a (rare) 3001. The only fretless I've ever owned was a Bass Collection model that my wife bought me for our 15th anniversary.
My rythm guitarist has a very old Gibson 335 dot which has been valued at $20,000, but I'm not a great lover of the 335 or the Les Paul - far too heavy!
Guitar-wise I currently have:
Line 6 Variax
Fender Telecaster Standard
Ibanez SAS32Ex (which is my favourite - set neck with wide nut in the Gibson style, but light and with a whammy like a Strat).
Squire Telecoustic
Bass-wise, I've owned (in addition to the Rics) 3 or 4 precisions, a Wal, a Guild, a Kramer (aluminium neck), a Burns, a Watkins Saphire, a Hofner violin, etc, etc, but about 20 years ago I bought an Ibanez Sound Gear, and I can't see me ever playing owt else.
I also play a Sakis 4 course bouzouki