Musky

[quote name='wateroftyne' post='108806' date='Dec 24 2007, 09:31 AM']Hi folks

I have two high-value items to send back to America to have mods done.

One is having the work done under warranty, the other item is a having a modification that I'm paying for.

So, theoretically, all I need to pay import tax on is the value of the work done on the latter item.

C&E told me I need to get form C&E132 from the post office, fill it out etc. etc. and bingo! Nothing to pay when I re-import them. (They say there is a chance I'll have to pay duty when they're returned, but I can claim it back.)

So... how easy is this in practice? Anyone done it?

Ta in advance...[/quote]

I've no idea how this works, but I received a bass from the States on behalf of a friend a few years ago. When it arrived the documents were marked 'repair'. No taxes at all were applied.

[quote name='synaesthesia' post='108428' date='Dec 23 2007, 09:25 AM']I've owned several Ricks and still have 2. I've been in touch with John Hall on a few occasions since the 80s. RIC is a company building a specialist instrument for a specialised crowd. You can't compare a RIC to a contemporary design like say a Fodera. They appeal to a completely different crowd as does Alembic.

A. They know that they feed a constant baying crowd wanting Ricks and more Ricks. RIC are ALWAYS in a seller's market position.
B. They know that the demand is greater than they can meet now.
C. The QC of a new Ric is as consistent as it has ever been. So no real special mojo with an older Ric, a well kept Ric is as good as any other well kept Ric. No funny CBS fender , Norlin Gibson, Baldwin Gretsch lottery hokey pokey.
D. They have no expansion or offshore production plans and are likely never to have either as long as J Hall is CEO.
E. If you think their relationship with customers is bad, RIC will pull a dealership from distributors or retailers if they don't meet RIC's terms, they have done so on several occasions. Ask Jim Duncan of Southpaw guitars, not only was he a RIC dealer, he was a LEFTY only RIC dealer. They no longer carry RIC intsruments.
F. This marketing reputation has been there for a long time, don't expect ay change soon. They have been like this for a very long time and not only survived but remained profitable and look to remain profitable from demand.
G. As long as there is commercially crap music, and as long as there is a X factor, American Idol etc... there will be a strong indie/prog/I want to be different/ crowd that will play Ricks and every once in a while the Ric sound becomes 'fashionable".[/quote]

Like you, I own 2 Ricks - a '68 4001S and a 4003 (I used to have a 4001 as well, but thought that was just being greedy ). So I'm far from immune to the attraction of Ricks.

I'm aware that RIC are entirely within their rights to up their prices dramatically, and given the demand this is entirely rational. I also feel that John Hall is fetishisising his product as much as some of his customers do - he appears to feel that he builds a quality high end product that merits prices to match. But in terms of pure quality I don't think they really stand up to the bespoke makers his prices are beginning to match. Effectively telling his customers that "I'm upping my prices just because I can" was never going to win many friends, and I find it a frankly baffling decision to make that announcement. There were enough people who thought Ricks were overpriced as things stood, and this is just going to fuel things. It may have been a rational decision based on demand, but people tend to have a notion of a 'fair price' which judging by plenty of comments RIC have now overstepped.

As for quality control, there's no way either my 4003, nor my old 4001, hold a candle to my 4001S - an opinion backed up by many others who've played it. And I've seen plenty of threads elsewhere bemoaning the set up on new Ricks. RIC have been riding on a high for several years in terms of fashionability, but that's not always been the case. The most I paid for any of my basses was £275 - not much more than I might have expected to pay for a Precision at the time - and the fashionability of them seems to go in cycles. I'm not sure that this price increase will do much for getting them into the hands of the young bands that tend to drive their perceived desirability. Doubtless there will still be a strong demand from aficionados and a heritage market though.

I've been far from impressed with RIC's attitude to spare parts for some time and, for me, this price increase has just served to take more of the shine off Rickenbacker's reputation.

That picture of the headstock looks very odd to me. The tuners look like they're chrome, which wasn't used until the introduction of Schallers - and they don't look like Schallers (they only came along in '76 anyway). The end of the fingerboard should be dished as well, which that doesn't seem to be.

And yes, there should definitely be holes visible for the bridge cover.

I'd avoid that I think.

I was thumbing through some old copies of Making Music and spotted a Commodore in the Guitar Guru section. Bearing in mind he was writing 14 years ago, Paul Day thought these originated from Matsumoku and were imported/badged by Rosetti. The instrument he was talking about was a solid bodied guitar, but he reckoned he'd seen identical instruments with Aria and Conrad badges.

Is this a Squier model? I'd expect to see it with a SQ or E serial number, maybe a JV number.

Whether it says Fender or Squier on the headstock it makes no difference - Fender Japan was knocking out good quality instruments at this time. Whether it's worth £300 (just in terms of typical cost) rather depends on what model it is though. Have you got a photo or decent description of it?

I've found Myspace and listing mags have worked best in terms of pulling in people who've not seen us before (at least from the feedback we've had at gigs). I found out the other day that our drummer has been using a web based service that sends out gig details to all the listings mags, but I've no idea what it's called I'm afraid. Myspace can be hard work though - I'm not convinced that bulletins work very well - and best results can be had by trying to build a relationship with people on there.

Another thing I've heard about but not tried is using a bluetooth enabled laptop to message people passing the venue. It can be done with a mobile phone, but it's a bit of a pain doing it that way apparently.

Doubtless some of this increase is entirely justified, and John Hall's post does put some perspective on this. But the element of reducing demand is still there. A totally bizarre decision really, and something of a PR disaster IMO.

The price of a 4003 is now $2158, apparently up $400 on last year. I make that a 22.74% increase. The UK rrp was £1495, but I can't find any prices on the Rosetti site that might indicate how much they are going to sell for. Hopefully Rosetti or the dealers will absorb the price increase themselves, given that they don't seem to have passed on the benefits of the exchange rate. If not we're looking at a price increase of about £340 - though of course dealer prices have been about £300 less than that to date.

I don't think there's any danger of Rickenbacker going under. They pride themselves on being a small company that still uses a lot of labour intensive build methods - they could quite easily go the Fender route and use more automation, as well as set up an offshore facility, but they don't seem to think of themselves as that kind of company. As has been pointed out they also use expensive design elements, and that all contributes to a relatively expensive instrument.

But this price increase smacks of greed.

So their order books are full (an enviable position to be in), but I'm not sure that necessitates this kind of price increase to 'cut down delivery times'. They are just making the calculation that they'll still be busy even if they do piss off a number of their loyal customers.

It seems to me that RIC care less about their customers than they do about their precious product - sod you if you'd like a replacement for your pricey but cracked truss rod cover, you'll have to hand it over before they'll deign to sell you a (basically worthless) reproduction. They'll tell you that it's to protect you from fakes, but the reality is it's another attempt to protect their trademark.

I'd really like to see some more copies out there - it might actually give them the kick up the arse they appear to sorely need.

[quote name='Jebo1' post='107605' date='Dec 21 2007, 12:48 PM']I got offerred a rip off bass in Orkney, pre CBS Precision. If it's this one, don't do it.[/quote]

There were a few Wals for sale in Orkney that were flagged up in the ebay section as well, at least one of which had a (supposedly) female seller.

[quote name='16Again' post='107568' date='Dec 21 2007, 12:10 PM']Really
Unaccessible!! There are roads in scotland! [/quote]

And in the case of the Orkneys, ferrys as well!

The point being that for the bulk of the population, even those in Scotland, Orkney is a fair old trek.

Rickenbacker seem to have found themselves the answer to their growing backlog of orders - up their prices dramatically!

According to Rick, the price rise is due to increased costs and to 'help create a better balance between demand and capacity'. In other words, so many people want Ricks they can afford to take the piss out of their customers. They've also decided to stop producing fretless basses for the time being. So if you want a new Rick, get in quick.

Way to go Rickenbacker - nothing like good customer service.

[url="http://www.rickenbacker.com/news_item.asp?news_id=54&news=recent"]http://www.rickenbacker.com/news_item.asp?...amp;news=recent[/url]

Just a thought, but is this an Ebay deal? If it is I'd examine the auction carefully for any signs of a scam. The north of Scotland has been a favourite location of a lot of scammers recently, precisely because it's pretty unaccessible for most people. Not to say it's not genuine, just that it's something to bear in mind.

You beat me to it Chris!

The long and short of it is that he bought the bass from tune-o-matic, a big seller from the States. Turns out it's not original but a refinish, but the guy who bought it has left it too long to take any legal action. Instead he keeps listing it, making veiled references to the seller, in the hope of shaming him. He's not trying to sell it, just publicise his grievance.

Another 8 from me.

BIN of £60. It's collect only from Peterborough, but if you ask nicely he might post.

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/westone-spectrum-dx-bass_W0QQitemZ280184939568"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/westone-spectrum-dx-...emZ280184939568[/url]

[quote name='Jebo1' post='105967' date='Dec 18 2007, 03:08 PM']Gotta say mate, my 63 Danelectro U2 bass is right up your street, here are some pics. Yours for £350. Proper 60's garage bass![/quote]

Lovely, but I'll have to pass on that thanks!

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200183461592"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=200183461592[/url]

I've not seen a Bronco looking like this before - it seems to have a Musicmaster body. The colour and pickguard are pure Musicmaster, and I've not seen a Bronco with a black pickup. The musicmasters had a black pickup with the polepieces exposed as well as a four saddle bridge, but the picture isn't good enough to make them out.

The neck appears to be a very early Squier Bronco example, though very different to most Bronco's or even Musicmasters.

Interestingly, the Bronco and Musicmaster most likely came of the same production line in 1997.

I don't really collect basses but still seem to have acquired 8.

I play in a 60's garage/garage punk band so I really ought to have something that fits the vibe, but the the only genuine 60's bass I have is a '68 4001S. I've got a Jolana Kolorbas and an Epi ET 285 from the 70's which sort of fit the image, but I actually use an Aria CSB300 for the band. Ugly as hell, but I figure which a bit of modifying will look quite similar to Italia's take on a Supro.

I'm still kicking myself for not bidding on a battered Burns Sonic bass that went for about £130 on the bay last year.

The ones that got away...

Yeah, it's quite difficult to know were to stop really! [url="http://www.myrareguitars.com/1960guitars.html"]<a href="http://www.myrareguitars.com/1960guitars.html" target="_blank">http://www.myrareguitars.com/1960guitars.html[/url]</a> - not mine unfortunately.

A friend picked up a Phantom from the States (off Ebay) a couple of years ago for £400 delivered (albeit with a humbucker at the bridge), so there are bargains to be had.

[attachment=4186:Vox_Phantom.jpg]

[quote name='Jebo1' post='105868' date='Dec 18 2007, 12:32 PM']My 60's Garage collection includes:

1963 Danelectro U2 Bass
1959 Danelectro U1 guitar
1967 Fender Coronado in Sunburst
1966 Fender 12 String
1966 Fender Jazz Bass
1965 Gibson Melodymaker.

They're all original, and all for sale at the moment.

I'm going to lend them my mates garage band and see what they come up with! Perhaps they'll be inspired by them![/quote]

Wow, fantastic! I was trying to guess what an ultimate garage band collection might consist of, and figured Danelectro and Fender would have to be in there. Would have liked to have seen a Vox of some description in there as well though.

[quote name='Jebo1' post='105848' date='Dec 18 2007, 11:52 AM']I'm currently putting together a perfect mid 60's garage band guitar and bass collection... Well, I've done it now.[/quote]

Sounds interesting - any pictures?

[quote name='Beedster' post='105742' date='Dec 18 2007, 08:54 AM']Link doesn't work for me?
Chris[/quote]

Try this one Chris - [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Unique-mid-70s-fretless-Fender-precision-custum-bass_W0QQitemZ330197144981"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Unique-mid-70s-fretl...emZ330197144981[/url]

Interestingly it seems to have Fender rather than the Schaller tuners you might expect to see with that serial number. And is it just me or does that strap button look in the wrong place?

Just a thought, but there are some pictures on rickresourse of an Aria CSB 300 fitted with Grovers. Now comparing them to my own CSB 300 they look pretty much identical as far as the sizes go and might be a direct swap. So it might be possible to pick up a CSB300, swap out the tuners and replace the ones on the Aria with a cheap set - modding the Aria wouldn't really devalue it and they sell fairly cheaply anyway. You could probably pick up the Aria for the same price as a single vintage Grover anyway.

If you'd like the dimensions of the Aria tuners give me a shout.

[quote name='ahpook' post='104784' date='Dec 15 2007, 10:06 PM']totally in agreement - i use both active and passive basses and use overdrives all the time. i don't think you can say that active basses don't work well with overdrives...i get good sounds with both.

ymmv of course[/quote]

I think this issue is specific to fuzz pedals rather than overdrives or distortions. Though like cheddatom says, you might like the sound - in his post tayste described it as kind of synthy or gated.