karlfer

[quote name='ead' timestamp='1419322769' post='2638650'] Always been curious about these as I lusted after Rics, saving up to buy a 4003 in Jetglo (my dream bass) and then was massively disappointed. Didn't want to take the iron work off as that's part of the look and the less said about the bridge the better (YMMV of course). These basses seem to be the answer to most of my Ric issues. Karl can I come round and stroke it gently (that's the bass btw, not your genitalia). [/quote] Obviously very welcome Alain, sometime between Christmas/New Year perhaps. [quote name='spacey' timestamp='1419332496' post='2638777'] Welcome to the darkside. They are a professional grade instrument. In the wrong hands, they are useless, in the right hands they can take you to a different level, a bit like a craftsman having a set of precision woodworking tools. You need to be able to use the attention to detail on them to take you beyond the darkside. Like giving a very good driver a slightly better car, a bad driver will crash it and blame the car, the good player will appreciate the improvements over chop and screw together basses . Things like the achievable action with no buzzing and perfect intonation, clank to boom options on one bass all put the tools in your hands to move forward. Now you own one, you will appreciate why they go to the lengths they do to stop people putting them out of business by faking them. (opens can of worms and gets popcorn ready) [/quote] Perhaps I'm not the player to get the best out of it, but I'm bloody enjoying trying

I had the jack problem with my Bleached Blonde Thumb. Didn't know until reading this that the issue is hardly unheard of. Proved me right in always having a spare bass though as it clapped out 4 numbers into the first set a few weeks back. New socket installed by the wonderful guy who does all my basses. £20, job sorted. I need to move it on. It's a superb bass but very little interest from buyers or traders . Just don't get it to be honest but I do think the range of both product AND prices doesn't help.

[quote name='tony_m' timestamp='1419243252' post='2637841'] Nice one Karl, look forward to hearing it being given a good thrashing some time! [/quote] All the best Tony and see you soon mr! [quote name='strtdv' timestamp='1419245510' post='2637865'] Looks lovely, and definitely seems more practical than the usual Ric's. The intonation issues on Ric's are almost always due to people not knowing how to set them up. They need to have basically no neck relief and they intonate perfectly well. [/quote] I've not really had intonation issues on any Rick, apart from the fact the bridge/saddle arrangement is a fart on to get the intonation correct. This bridge alleviates that fart on.

[quote name='Les' timestamp='1419203847' post='2637648'] I've double checked with both the singer and the drummer to make sure it really happened and I've been assured that I did actually have to ask ALL THREE OF THEM TO TURN UP What has happened to the world ?? Surely this messes with the very fabric of space and time ? Bewildered of Wigan [/quote] Might actually be because you are a sh*t hot local band with a great reputation and loads of gigs on the books, ya pudden nut

[quote name='Bassassin' timestamp='1418864561' post='2634332'] I hate these things with a passion. There's another (non-music) forum I use which has an entire thread of simpletons patting themselves on the back because they managed nail a stick to some splintery old box they found, & now they want to pretend it's a musical instrument. Aaargh! Jon. [/quote] Wasn't that Kay

Thanks folks. AT, yes, it's a Warwick Thumb 2003 Ltd Ed Bleached Blonde Kev, 43 mm at nut, 10" radius

[quote name='Chiliwailer' timestamp='1419181218' post='2637317'] Love a bit of show and tell. I never did like an itch after lust though.... [/quote] Bit choosy [quote name='kodiakblair' timestamp='1419181615' post='2637324'] Cracking looking bass there [/quote] Thank you, factory did a good job with this one

Thanks fella's, I think it's simplicity helps it's looks and it certainly helps it's playability. Really only did this because it may help somebody else scratch a Rickenbacker itch

The sort of is I've had it 3 weeks, 6 gigs but not had the chance to say anything. Got this off Ash, through Gumtree although we were unaware until eventually the penny dropped. So, it's a Rick Jim , but not as we know it. They are a new model by Rick standards, they've only been out 21 years I picked it up on a Thurs night, we had back to back gigs on the Fri/Sat. At the end of the Sat night gig, one of the guitards came over and stated it was the best sounding bass I have used with them in about 200 gigs. Then the other guitard wandered over and said the same. THEN SOMEBODY TOOK THE CHAINS OFF THE DRUMMER and he made it universal acclaim for the sound So, the sound. Well, put the pup selector in the top position, open the tone wide treble and it sounds pretty much like a Rick. Not quite that supposed signature tone but close. The real beauty for me though, is both pups on, tone right down at it's bassiest and it is serious JPJ, Bad Company smoothness. Beautiful. It does not have the tonal extremes the 4001/4003 have. I don't use effects, rarely use a pick but I seem to be able to coax from the aforementioned JPJ to a certain Steve Harris kinda noise, with just the use of pup selector, tone control and a bit more finger. effort. Having said that, the mid section of Am I Evil gets some serious Rick clank going with slightly aggressive pick use. Now, the REAL joy of this thing. IT IS A FINGER PLAYABLE Rick . The bridge pup is in the perfect place for my thumb to rest. All that great looking, PITA ironmongery from the 4001/4003 is gone and the bridge on this is excellent! Nut is wide but the neck is shallow-ish and flat-ish profile. It is beautifully finished and very well put together. Ash also had it set up very well, fast, low action with medium gauge flatwounds. I would guess much more clank available with rounds and a bit of EQ ing. It is also very light at just over 8lbs. I guess if you like the look/sound of a Rick but don't like the iron works, chaffed wrist, intonation issues, action issues and skinned beer gut from the harsh edges, one of these may be worth a look. It was re-iterated last night, if I sell this one, my genitalia will find their way to a bandsaw. In genitalia protection mode I have used nothing else for the last 6 gigs [url="http://s1354.photobucket.com/user/Karl_Altdorfer/media/DSCF0699_zpsc6dfc084.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s1354.photobucket.com/user/Karl_Altdorfer/media/DSCF0701_zpsacf59830.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s1354.photobucket.com/user/Karl_Altdorfer/media/DSCF0702_zps2190ec72.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s1354.photobucket.com/user/Karl_Altdorfer/media/DSCF0703_zpsd6d8d267.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s1354.photobucket.com/user/Karl_Altdorfer/media/DSCF0704_zps2c3c3592.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s1354.photobucket.com/user/Karl_Altdorfer/media/DSCF0705_zpsb266c01d.jpg.html"][/url]

[quote name='thebassist' timestamp='1418998937' post='2635593'] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Oh I don't know, a BMW M3 logo on a badly done up 318 amuses me.[/font][/color] [/quote] Especially with one little tailpipe!

[quote name='Bassman Sam' timestamp='1418996744' post='2635574'] Ha Ha, nice try Karl. I wont be going to PMT until the new year, got to get the bearded one's birthday party out of the way first. [/quote]

[quote name='Bassman Sam' timestamp='1418991411' post='2635521'] Thanks for the reply, I think I'll have to persuade the OH that a Thunderbird is not the best of ideas given the health issues. This thread has given me food [size=4]for thought. I love the idea of the Thunderbird but it looks like I may have to be a bit more practical. I think a visit to PMT Manchester will be the next more and see what bass I can [/size]realistically cope with. Meanwhile, my Bass Collection SB310[size=4] will be getting the attention it deserves. Thanks for all the input guys.[/size] [/quote] Well if you are in Manchester tomorrow pop over to the Flying Shuttle in Bury tomorrow night and have a go on my Bleached Blonde Thumb. 38mm nut, very light weight and up for sale. Genuine offer even if it is a shameless plug Seriously though, good luck with your search.

[quote name='Bassman Sam' timestamp='1418926705' post='2634982'] A slim neck is the way to go I think, the T-bird seems to have one. The US P-bass Deluxe has a J width neck as would fit the bill. I'm on weekly injections for the RA and they have made a hell of a difference. A couple of years ago, I didn't think I would ever be able to play again so there is hope. Good luck with your playing. [/quote] Careful with that Bassman Sam, some series of the US Deluxe had jazz profile necks but fairly sure the current ones are 41.3 mm nut not 38mm.

Quite a few of his ads stated clay dots, mine certainly seem to be. If I don't sell my Warwick in the next few weeks I might have to sell my Limelight as well.

[quote name='Bassman Sam' timestamp='1418910345' post='2634734'] Lozz, you are spot on here. The famous neck dive on a T-bird may just be too much for my RA, PMT Manchester will be my next port of call to see what works for me. [/quote] Keep ya mitts off that Gold One. I know I would had it but it just looks so Glam Metal

My nose is big but even mine won't reach Aberdeen. Now, if you could pop down to Stonehaven I'm in with a chance

You really do have to try sneak a Tbird trial. I bought a Yank one in the late 90's after years of lusting. I absolutely hated the neck on it, and having to hold the thing up as well as fret with my left hand. Poor action that caused a fight with intonation and that neck just felt horrible. My 84 Gibbo Explorer was a completely different, fabulous animal that I should never have sold. My short ownership of a Tbird certainly cured my GAS for one though

[quote name='neepheid' timestamp='1418902622' post='2634605'] Let's say you could exactly copy the Heinz beans recipe, cook it yourself and can it - would it be right to put the Heinz beans label on the can? I can only speak for myself but I'd be so damn proud of myself that it'd be labelled as neepheid's super awesome mega baked beans, you can bet on that If you're comfortable with passing off a replica/tribute (however accurate and well made) as the genuine article, that's your call. I'm not, so I don't and I won't. [/quote] I am and I will. That's the thing with these conversations though isn't it, yay and nay sayers and frankly unlikely much more than a few will change their mind