prowla

For me, Rics are really playable, so each to their own.

What @Bassassin said. My first thought was an Ibby with the mudbucker neck pickup, but on closer inspection that wouldn't have had the bodged cutout in the pickguard. As to why someone did that to the pickups, I don't know; it looks barmy to me! The neck joint must be weak there, so it might need filling and re-cutting. The changes are reversible and stock Ric parts will fit, in addition to vintage Japanese and current Retrovibe replacements. This is my (Japanese) CMI, which I would say likely came off the same production line. The slightly translucent pickguard shows more on mine, against the jetglo body.

My Red Baron...

You can visit it at your convenience.

Spooktacular!

Well, it went for £113 - not sure I'd pay over £100 for a Squier.

This is how I picked up another Mat I had earlier; it was a Diamond brand (which was related to Aria). (The clear TRC had had the original logo removed and a laser-printed alternative stuck on the back; that didn't last.)

BTW - this is my Mat; it is provisionally going to someone in Scotland, if/when I get a box to post it in... (See the dot position markers on the Vol/Tone controls?)

It looks OK to me. And yes, I spotted the D-string!

The edges of the pickup hole seem equidistant from the screw holes.

Typically in shops I find that if I want to ask someone something they are all busy, but if I'm just browsing I keep getting approached to see if I need any help!

Yep - the thing I need to know when I go into a shop is "how much". Maybe they think that in asking you are then engaged in the sale process...

I guess you have to be a bit arrogant to have a bass like that in the first place...

If you've got to ask, you can't afford it... 🙂

They are a bit (erm) radical, aren't they? But in the same breath there are people who say that Ric don't innovate, so I guess they can't win!

That's a plus - why would you sell a Ric?

Harry Enfield?

I see you've popped over to the fakers group. 🙂 My not-dissimilar faker (black not fg, though).

@Bassassin speak honto.

Stereo Sound on jack plate, thru-neck, but gap on binding is narrower than a real Ric, surprisingly no control knob position dots on pickguard (is it a replacement pickguard?), typical generic Japanese tuners, round holes in tailpiece string feeds, screw-through strap buttons.

I had a Carlsbro Stingray back in the day; sounds came out of it, but otherwise it had no redeeming features.

The best thing about it is the logo on the headstock. That pickup cutout is pretty grim.