BlueMoon

This ^^^^^^^ I place a saucer containing a generous amount of it and close the case for a few days. If you are careful, no vacuuming and the smell/damp is reduced/gone.

And I bet he could make it sing!

Yamaha make consistently good basses at each price point. Much like Toyota; totally dependable, but seen by some, as a bit dull. The MIJ examples are truly superb instruments. I just scored a MIT BB2004, which is a very nice instrument. If I had a gripe it is the general lack of interchangeability of the pickups of older versions. Run-of-the-mill replacements normally don’t fit the Yamaha body cavity.

That sounds like a good deal. Greco Ricky copies from the 1970’s were pretty much the top of the heap back in the day. Arguably, they were so good that Rickenbacker took action to stop production, hence the term “lawsuit basses”. Prices are creeping up over time. I’ve seen them go for up to €1000 in Japan, so your “all in” price seems favourable. Whatever, the quality of the Greco instruments is outstanding. A Chinabacker is a poor comparison if you don’t want hold out for a 2nd hand 4001/3.

Outrageous. Why indeed? Are they waiting for MRIC to come and collect the skip(s)?

Welcome to Basschat, Matt! Typical shipping costs to Europe from Japan to Europe with EMS should be in the €160 (gig bag) to €200 (hard case) range. Factor in (1) the purchase cost (should be free of local Japanese tax), (2) the shipping cost (see above, based on dimensions and weight), and (3) customs/import/VAT. (This normally runs to around 30% of (1) + (2). if you are offered, or elect for, shipping via UPs, Fedex, DHL etc, then this can be upwards of €300 of declared value. Usually it’s faster than EMS. Good luck…….I hope it goes well for you.

Totally agree. Great players, vocalists, writers, arrangers, producers, studio engineers…………….the list could go on!

Must be something in the “Basschat water” 😁

https://www.fame-guitars.de/en/__fame_about_en/

Yes. A no frills brand unique to Musicstore.com

If you do end up drilling, just be sure to use a bradawl to locate precisely the location of where to drill the new holes. Also, Gotoh screws are notorious for ringing over if you don’t lubricate them and the hole. Candle wax is good.

Four or five Yammy Motion basses from the 90’s on sale here: https://guitarshop.es/categoria-producto/bajos/bajos-electricos/page/2/ I believe these were made in Taiwan These are all around the €500 mark. You’d still have shipping from Spain and import costs to the UK though.

This is a pic of the recent official 4003 bridge pup bezel. Essentially it's a rip-off of the Tubeampology aftermarket piece. The new bezel is fitted to all new 4003's shipped from the factory as stock. Rickenbacker finally ditched the faux chrome arched bridge pup cover. There should be the adjustment screws in place. The size is kindly given by @Bigguy2017 above.

I believe that is a Schaller 2000 bridge……..now no longer in production, unfortunately. Who knows, a quick email to their service department might prove useful. ([email protected])