Bassassin Posted February 8, 2011 Posted February 8, 2011 (edited) It is a bit podgy-looking, but I'd say the scratchplate is more wrong than the body contours - if it was a bit more symmetrical, angular & tidily-cut like the original, it would improve the whole look. However, I'll forgive the Retrovibe a lot, if it's red with black binding and costs £260. If I do get one it'll get black hardware (including aluminium Hipshot bridge), re-cut or replaced scratchplate & a black surround for the bridge pup. Jon. Edited February 8, 2011 by Bassassin Quote
xilddx Posted February 8, 2011 Posted February 8, 2011 [quote name='Bassassin' post='1120047' date='Feb 8 2011, 01:22 PM']It is a bit podgy-looking, but I'd say the scratchplate is more wrong than the body contours - if it was a bit more symmetrical, angular & tidily-cut like the original, it would improve the whole look. However, I'll forgive the Retrovibe a lot, if it's red with black binding and costs £260. If I do get one it'll get black hardware, re-cut or replaced scratchplate & a black surround for the bridge pup. Jon.[/quote] I know what you mean, Jon. And it probably won't bother most people. I spent my formative years pissing about with French curves and learning art and graphic design (yes, yes, I've heard them all before ) and things like this scream at me, I couldn't live with it. Weird isn't it. Amazing value for money and I've heard a lot of great things about them. Quote
Bassassin Posted February 8, 2011 Posted February 8, 2011 I've got 3 JapCrap RickenFakers and a contemporary Rick-ish thing - and none of them get the shape quite right. You can forgive the old 70s stuff, most of this was pre-CNC (as were real Ricks, which do vary a lot!) and possibly not even copied from actual Rickenbackers - there are some bizarre stories circulating! I'm not too bothered by what I consider minor differences, certainly with the vintage Jap stuff that's part of the character and the appeal of the things. To an extent I feel the same about the Retrovibe - it's not trying to be a slavish imitation, and I definitely approve of that! J. Quote
RickIronWitch Posted February 8, 2011 Posted February 8, 2011 (edited) [quote name='dannybuoy' post='1119599' date='Feb 7 2011, 10:46 PM']Retrovibes now in Fireglo and Mapleglo, with maple bodies! [url="http://probass.co.uk/Update.html"]http://probass.co.uk/Update.html[/url][/quote] what a prick, now im gonna have to buy one. All though, i am very tempted by the J-P he has. classy. Edited February 8, 2011 by RickIronWitch Quote
ahpook Posted February 8, 2011 Posted February 8, 2011 [quote name='silddx' post='1120023' date='Feb 8 2011, 01:04 PM']That's right the mascara snake[/quote] Quote
paul h Posted February 8, 2011 Posted February 8, 2011 Used the Aero2 at rehearsal last night for the first time in a couple of weeks. Had the J pickup on full and rolled the P pickup down a bit and the thing growls! Very cool bass. Quote
mcnach Posted February 9, 2011 Posted February 9, 2011 [quote name='RickIronWitch' post='1120186' date='Feb 8 2011, 03:44 PM']what a prick, now im gonna have to buy one. All though, i am very tempted by the J-P he has. classy.[/quote] To whom it may concern: If he does the RV4 or the J/p-type in black and *FRETLESS* I will have no option but to go and buy one!!! Quote
Magnolia Posted February 23, 2011 Posted February 23, 2011 I have just been told that both a fretless and 5'er will be with us in April. Both, I shall be getting Quote
ras52 Posted February 23, 2011 Posted February 23, 2011 [quote name='Magnolia' post='1139054' date='Feb 23 2011, 07:44 PM']I have just been told that both a fretless and 5'er will be with us in April. Both, I shall be getting [/quote] Argh! Just when I'd convinced myself that that I had too many (or even enough) basses. I'm just back from a rehearsal when I put my RV4 through my new MXR DI+ and totally loving it. The action on the E string is just a bit low, and the rattle was sounding great! So now I'm going to bring the other strings down to meet it... and I only have one fretless at the moment, which needs a bit of work, so I'll need another one for when it goes into the hospital, won't I? Quote
Magnolia Posted February 23, 2011 Posted February 23, 2011 [quote name='ras52' post='1139173' date='Feb 23 2011, 09:05 PM']Argh! Just when I'd convinced myself that that I had too many (or even enough) basses. I'm just back from a rehearsal when I put my RV4 through my new MXR DI+ and totally loving it. The action on the E string is just a bit low, and the rattle was sounding great! So now I'm going to bring the other strings down to meet it... and I only have one fretless at the moment, which needs a bit of work, so I'll need another one for when it goes into the hospital, won't I?[/quote] Too many basses?? Go wash your mouth out! There's no such thing Mine is set up with a tad of rattle when I dig in and sounds awesome. Its definitely the best £260 I have spent in a long time. Quote
mcnach Posted February 23, 2011 Posted February 23, 2011 [quote name='Magnolia' post='1139054' date='Feb 23 2011, 07:44 PM']I have just been told that both a fretless and 5'er will be with us in April. Both, I shall be getting [/quote] yum! I shall have cash set aside for a fretless then! in black!! Quote
Pow_22 Posted February 24, 2011 Posted February 24, 2011 Ordered my fireglo today. Anyone know if the £50 AllParts ric style bridge will fit this? I want a ric style one but cant afford a proper hipshot or owt at the mo Quote
Pow_22 Posted March 2, 2011 Posted March 2, 2011 (edited) My RV4 in Fireglo arrived today. First impressions are its a lovely bass for the money. There are several 'set-up' issues tho that will need to be sorted by my local luthier:- The nut isnt even close to being cut right, the G string is a fair way off all the other strings so new nut is a must, neck needs adjusting (im crap at this), the neck pick up is slightly of centre meaning the G string side pole is on the other side of the string, Ive pushed the string outwards so it is over the pole and it is off the neck! I bought it as a back-up bass so im not too concerned about the pick-up but the new and neck will need sorted before i have it in my gig bag. Everything else looks good. Its a very thin body and nice and light, the controls are all smooth ans the wood grain looks very classy. Once its fully set up ill give it a good test at rehearsal and do a proper review but to summarise at the mo.....you can tell its a chinese made bass, not great QC but potentially a bargain once Phil Hartley works his magic on it Edited March 2, 2011 by Pow_22 Quote
Bassassin Posted March 2, 2011 Posted March 2, 2011 [quote name='Pow_22' post='1140394' date='Feb 24 2011, 08:39 PM']Ordered my fireglo today. Anyone know if the £50 AllParts ric style bridge will fit this? I want a ric style one but cant afford a proper hipshot or owt at the mo[/quote] These are accurate copies of real Rick tailpieces so no, it won't fit without some modding. The bridge/saddle assembly sits in a "well" which protrudes underneath the tailpiece so there's a route in the body of a Rick to accommodate it. Pretty simple job for a luthier, but not a bolt-on swap. To be honest unless you're going to get a Hipshot, you're probably better off keeping the stock Retrovibe bridge - at least you can adjust string height & intonation properly! Jon. Quote
Pow_22 Posted March 8, 2011 Posted March 8, 2011 Thought id update re my RV4F. Now the neck has settled i think it just needs a tinker with the truss rod, basically it needs (amateur speak here) ''pulling back at the headstock'' i assume this is 'relief'? Also must mention the customer service ive recieved from David at Probass. From the time i ordered my bass he has been nothing but helpful with my issues. Even to the point of emailing me regarding my previous post on this thread offering a full set-up and no cost to me or alternitively a brand new nut free of charge. As im a fussy one re: setups ive opted for the nut and will take it to a guy who does all my basses (Phil Hartley). This isnt because i dont trust David its just that having done all my instruments Phil knows exactly how i like them done. Fair play to David on the customer service. Really are stunning basses for the money, the Fireglo looks lovely and i really am tempted by the Natural finish ones, slight problem being the Mrs Quote
Conan Posted March 16, 2011 Posted March 16, 2011 What's the balance like on these Rick copies? Are they neck heavy with such a lightweight wood body (especially the basswood ones)? Quote
Low End Bee Posted March 16, 2011 Posted March 16, 2011 [quote name='Conan' post='1164516' date='Mar 16 2011, 03:24 PM']What's the balance like on these Rick copies? Are they neck heavy with such a lightweight wood body (especially the basswood ones)?[/quote] The balance is fine on mine. Quote
dmz Posted March 16, 2011 Posted March 16, 2011 Wow - these look the bees knees ! Any piccies of the 5-ver or fretless versions yet ? Quote
Low End Bee Posted March 24, 2011 Posted March 24, 2011 (edited) Nice pic of the bass. I was very hot and Alex Ferguson looking by this stage of the gig. Edited March 24, 2011 by Low End Bee Quote
Magnolia Posted March 25, 2011 Posted March 25, 2011 Lovin this bass.... This is me last night. Quote
Pow_22 Posted March 26, 2011 Posted March 26, 2011 Anyone know what gig-bags will fit these? So far everything ive tried is to thin for the headstock, im assuming ill need a ric one? Quote
benebass Posted March 26, 2011 Posted March 26, 2011 Think these would look great without a scratchplate, like the Rick 4004: - Cheers, B. Quote
Magnolia Posted March 26, 2011 Posted March 26, 2011 [quote name='Pow_22' post='1177512' date='Mar 26 2011, 06:46 PM']Anyone know what gig-bags will fit these? So far everything ive tried is to thin for the headstock, im assuming ill need a ric one?[/quote] I just use one of these [url="http://www.staggmusic.com/products/products_detail.php?langue=uk&oneid=659"]Stagg gig bags.[/url] Quote
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