Old Horse Murphy

I think black on gold looks good IMO.

[quote name='ped' post='97335' date='Dec 1 2007, 06:25 PM']It was nice that you rescued it from the shop and passed it on to a good home![/quote] I'm hoping someone will return the favour when they happen to discover one of Phil Lynott's Precisions at a Jumble Sale!!

[quote name='ped' post='97325' date='Dec 1 2007, 06:16 PM']Wow! I had no idea you had any Ricks, let alone 3!! Did Old Horse Murphy not get on with the CS then? Looks like a sexy collection - get them in before it rains!![/quote] It wasn't really for me Ped and once you see it with Peter's other 2, it looks like it's found a good place to stay now (despite the weather).

Lovely Peter. A beautiful collection

Right Handed? Shoe size 10? So much in common except I'm Left handed and take a size 9.

No Rory Gallagher Strat? Outrageous

My 1975 Precision

[quote name='theosd' post='95928' date='Nov 29 2007, 01:19 AM']First owned: My mum's old Westbury Track 2. Not bad!! Looks like this but without the stickers and I've added a badass style bridge to replace the original which had a strange curve to it, like an upright meaning the middle two strings were about 2mm higher of the fretboard - hard work! Originally strung with 20 year old rotosound black nylons it didn't ever stay in tune. First time I bought a set of strings for it (a set of fenders I think) I was amazed at how good it sounded! These are great little basses, it's very well made too. [/quote] This was my first bass I owned too. I think it cost me £30 after I saw an advert in the local paper. It had be resprayed in black by Stevie Wonder (well, you should have seen it.) The action was horrible, it was neck heavy but I loved it!! After a year or so, I took the frets out and filled the gaps in with plastic wood.

[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.