RICKENBACKER PORN

[SurroundedByManatees]

It kinda surprises me how Ricks can vary so much in feel. My 4001 feels much "closer" and comfortable than my former 4003 did. The 4003 felt bigger. Maybe it balanced less good because of the much meatier neck. Don't know, but they feel very different for sure. 

[Elfael]

  On 03/03/2020 at 21:10, 6feet7 said:

It is sterile looking (which isn't the idea of a Rick bass in my opinion) but it's such a good bass I can live with it  and now it's got black instead of white plastic parts it looks (in my opinion) a whole lot better.

Expand  

Looks absolutely stunning to me.

[shoulderpet]

  On 03/03/2020 at 17:44, 6feet7 said:

I've only played it at home but it's so far absolutely wonderful. Got the Rickenbacker sound but it can also do 'normal' bass sounds too. I normally only play lightweight basses (I've got two Maruszczyk Jakes - both around the 7lbs/3.15kg weight - one if for sale at the moment to pay for this if anyone is interested) so would normally avoid anything even remotely heavier (this is 9lbs/4kg) but it feels as light as the Jakes (this is the walnut version. I understand the standard ones are a little heavier). 

When I first saw pictures of this I was disappointed that both the iconic bridge shape had gone as well as the chrome pickup surrounds etc (and the triangular shaped new pickups), but in the flesh it's still a Rickenbacker (but very well made

Expand  

You've got a much better bridge there than the old Rick bridge

[prowla]

  On 29/04/2020 at 22:02, shoulderpet said:

You've got a much better bridge there than the old Rick bridge

Expand  

The generic bridge is missing that bit of style.

[6feet7]

  On 30/04/2020 at 07:18, prowla said:

The generic bridge is missing that bit of style.

Expand  

Totally agree - I was wondering whether I could have an old fashioned looking bridge made up to new specs for the 5 string (unfortunately, Hipshot only make a 4 string bridge replacement). I know Simon Farmer of GUS Guitars and he makes all his bridges (and everything else metal) from solid blocks of aluminium in his own workshop. As he's only just up the road, once lockdown has relaxed, I might see if he can make something up.

[prowla]

  On 30/04/2020 at 08:18, 6feet7 said:

Totally agree - I was wondering whether I could have an old fashioned looking bridge made up to new specs for the 5 string (unfortunately, Hipshot only make a 4 string bridge replacement). I know Simon Farmer of GUS Guitars and he makes all his bridges (and everything else metal) from solid blocks of aluminium in his own workshop. As he's only just up the road, once lockdown has relaxed, I might see if he can make something up.

Expand  

I think I mentioned before that it's a bit curious that they've put in triangular pickups and then taken away some of the original styling cues, such as the triangular fret markers; the bridge unit falls into that category too for me.

[6feet7]

  On 30/04/2020 at 11:49, prowla said:

I think I mentioned before that it's a bit curious that they've put in triangular pickups and then taken away some of the original styling cues, such as the triangular fret markers; the bridge unit falls into that category too for me.

Expand  

Just been email chatting with Simon at GUS Guitars. He's just about to get a CNC machine so said he could make a 5 string Ricky/hipshot style bridge for me once lockdown is relaxed. I suggested that he would have quite a few customers for that bridge if he marketed it. Watch this space

Edited April 30, 2020 by 6feet7

[prowla]

  On 30/04/2020 at 12:06, 6feet7 said:

Just been email chatting with Simon at GUS Guitars. He's just about to get a CNC machine so said he could make a 5 string Ricky/hipshot style bridge for me once lockdown is relaxed. I suggested that he would have quite a few customers for that bridge if he marketed it. Watch this space

Expand  

Interesting - I looked into getting a local company to machine some aluminium tailpieces for me, but they weren't interested. (They were busy making fittings for BA planes.)

I'd like something a bit less bland looking that the Hipshot.

Edited April 30, 2020 by prowla

[6feet7]

  On 30/04/2020 at 16:30, prowla said:

Interesting - I looked into getting a local company to machine some aluminium tailpieces for me, but they weren't interested. (They were busy making fittings for BA planes.)

I'd like something a bit less bland looking that the Hipshot.

Expand  

I'll be posting pictures of it once it's done.

[6feet7]

  On 30/04/2020 at 12:06, 6feet7 said:

Just been email chatting with Simon at GUS Guitars. He's just about to get a CNC machine so said he could make a 5 string Ricky/hipshot style bridge for me once lockdown is relaxed. I suggested that he would have quite a few customers for that bridge if he marketed it. Watch this space

Expand  

Ignore all of that. I've decided that the bass has to go. It's wonderful but I just haven't gelled with it. Whenever I start to customise something it means I'm not happy with it (at some level). First was putting the black plastic parts on (I've taken them off now). Then it was going to get a custom bridge made. It's not worth it. I've been down this route before, spent a fortune customising something, then sold it for a massive loss. 

Edited May 8, 2020 by 6feet7

[prowla]

  On 03/03/2020 at 17:10, prowla said:

I wonder if I’ll get one of those.

Expand  

Well, it appears I just might be...

[Jus Lukin]

-

Edited March 4, 2022 by Jus Lukin

[prowla]

So, the new arrival...

[walshy]

Well, this happened today. How bloody lush is that 😍 1992 

[bassfan]

  On 14/05/2020 at 18:26, walshy said:

Well, this happened today. How bloody lush is that 😍 1992 

Expand  

Blimey... that’s nice. You know it’s not a P right? 😂

[walshy]

  On 14/05/2020 at 18:27, bassfan said:

Blimey... that’s nice. You know it’s not a P right? 😂

Expand  

Ill get the router out and put some CS '62 pups in, it'll be right🤣

[vinorange]

Well I may as well add my joy to this thread.

2005 limited edition blue boy 4003.....and it’s gorgeous....

[Jus Lukin]

-

Edited March 4, 2022 by Jus Lukin

[walshy]

  On 01/06/2020 at 21:46, Jus Lukin said:

Nice, how are the Bardens?

Expand  

Excellent upgrades for it. They sound incredible and no hiss. 

[ash]

I’ll leave this here shall I? 1976 Ric 3000 and original case. Lovely. 

[prowla]

  On 19/06/2020 at 12:26, ash said:

I’ll leave this here shall I? 1976 Ric 3000 and original case. Lovely. 

Expand  

Ugly sod, isn't it?

...but I like it!

[Clarky]

  On 19/06/2020 at 12:26, ash said:

I’ll leave this here shall I? 1976 Ric 3000 and original case. Lovely. 

Expand  

Nice! I had one many years ago that I got Sims to refinish to look like Mani's fireglo 3000. I think this web pic is my old bass

[ash]

  On 20/06/2020 at 09:57, Clarky said:

Nice! I had one many years ago that I got Sims to refinish to look like Mani's fireglo 3000. I think this web pic is my old bass

Expand  

That looks superb Clarky and yes it’s not to everyone’s taste but beauty is in the eye of the beholder. 

Edited June 20, 2020 by ash
Repeated post so edited

[ash]

  On 20/06/2020 at 09:57, Clarky said:

Nice! I had one many years ago that I got Sims to refinish to look like Mani's fireglo 3000. I think this web pic is my old bass

Expand  

They are super rare - each of the three. times I’ve come across one on sale I’ve bought it but most are incredibly heavy for their puny size so I’ve ended up selling them on. Yours reminds me of the first one I bought which had a replacement scratchplate. This mapleglo one is a lightweight at 4.5kgs and manageable. The long scale version 3001 is even heavier averaging at 11lbs! 

[prowla]

They're not dissimilar in style to the Vox Clubman I'm working on.

I got it with the silver & lines overpaint and amusing gold-painted "Fender" logo; it's now (almost) stripped and ready to paint.