Clarky Posted June 10, 2012 Posted June 10, 2012 (edited) I bought this a couple of months ago but it doesn't sit right with me, despite my nostalgia (my first gigging bass in the more recent phase of my bass playing life was a 4001). Its a 70s Gherson mapleglo body (neck through) to which my regular BC trading partner Beedster had added (via the assemblage talents of Bass Doc) a Hipshot alu bridge, Rickenbacker Hi-Gain PUP at the bridge, and custom Kent Armstrong Toaster at the neck. It has an original Ric stereo circuit/output and VTC plus a Ric TRC. The only "issues" are (1) that the screw-hole near the selector switch doesn't align with wood underneath so it doesn't have a screw in it (in the pic I had glued a screw in but it buzzed when played acoustically so I took it out again; I am sure it could be fixed though with a shim of wood underneath or stronger adhesive) and (2) the action is medium rather than low (4mm at the 12th fret) which may or may not bother you (its actually quite slick playing IMHO due to the old TI Flat strings on it). Beedster put £750 into it in parts, I paid him £600 but I would let go for £500 as the ergonomics just don't suit me (slab body, jazz-type narrow neck) and as its impossible to sell these on eBay these days due to our good friend JH and his troops! I have a video and more pics I can email, although the video is shockingly inept (I played with a pick for the first time in about a year and it shows) [attachment=110049:P1050108.JPG] Edited June 20, 2012 by Clarky
Beedster Posted June 10, 2012 Posted June 10, 2012 If you wanted to upgrade to a '99 Fireglo 4001v63 we could perhaps sort a deal Clarky, I quite liked the Gherson I have to admit
Clarky Posted June 10, 2012 Author Posted June 10, 2012 I've PM'd you Chris but its Rick ergonomics I struggle with (the Gherson sounds superb, no complaints there at all)
Beedster Posted June 10, 2012 Posted June 10, 2012 Cheers mate, if I had anything else to trade I'd be heading to That London ASAP. The Gherson really has got a great retro tone that I struggle - ironically - to get from the v63 (as we've discussed before, the Riv TVC circuit in the Gherson is far more versatile than that in the v63). Good luck fella, I think it's underpriced though
Clarky Posted June 12, 2012 Author Posted June 12, 2012 Couple of no-headstock pics (courtesy of Beedster) to whet appetites [attachment=110198:DSCN0973.JPG][attachment=110199:DSCN0966.JPG]
Clarky Posted June 13, 2012 Author Posted June 13, 2012 Don't need another bass but would potentially trade for US or CIJ Fender possibly with cash adjustment if appropriate
Clarky Posted June 15, 2012 Author Posted June 15, 2012 Bump for trade options ^^^^ Could also bundle together in a good deal with my 1990s G-K 200MB combo (the forerunner of the M150 'Microbass' combo range)
Clarky Posted June 17, 2012 Author Posted June 17, 2012 Father's day bump £500 or FT vs US/CIJ Fender (with cash adjustment possible depending on the bass)
Clarky Posted June 17, 2012 Author Posted June 17, 2012 (edited) If you have FaceBook (not everyone does!) I posted the vid in the R*ickenfaker group page. Its pretty poor playing as I haven't used a pick in a year and I had no idea what to play when I hit the recording 'on' switch, but you get the drift sound-wise [url="http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=383725341674460&oid=78514186083"]http://www.facebook....oid=78514186083[/url] Edited June 17, 2012 by Clarky
Clarky Posted June 18, 2012 Author Posted June 18, 2012 Bump. Great value considering the original parts (eg, the bridge pickup assembly alone costs £245 to buy http://www.ricsrus.com/Pickups.html)
KiOgon Posted June 18, 2012 Posted June 18, 2012 [quote name='Clarky' timestamp='1339945812' post='1696574'] If you have FaceBook (not everyone does!) I posted the vid in the R*ickenfaker group page. Its pretty poor playing as I haven't used a pick in a year and I had no idea what to play when I hit the recording 'on' switch, but you get the drift sound-wise [url="http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=383725341674460&oid=78514186083"]http://www.facebook....oid=78514186083[/url] [/quote] That's just what happens to me when I go to try a bass glad I'm not alone sounds like a Ric btw
Clarky Posted June 19, 2012 Author Posted June 19, 2012 [quote name='KiOgon' timestamp='1340028161' post='1697846'] sounds like a Ric btw [/quote] It does indeed, thanks! Same body wood (maple) and thru-neck construction plus Rick electronics = total doppelganger in sound stakes. And its a lot cheaper than a real one
Clarky Posted June 19, 2012 Author Posted June 19, 2012 Sorry Chris but i am calling my relationship quits with Ricks. Break to my left hand a couple of years ago (which means I cramp up with narrow necks) has done for me - its Precisions and double basses for me (mainly ...)!
Beedster Posted June 19, 2012 Posted June 19, 2012 [quote name='Clarky' timestamp='1340121737' post='1699467'] Sorry Chris but i am calling my relationship quits with Ricks. Break to my left hand a couple of years ago (which means I cramp up with narrow necks) has done for me - its Precisions and double basses for me (mainly ...)! [/quote] Ha ha, actually I'm happy to keep the v63, but it's testimony to this bass that I'd take it back. It doesn't have quite the finishing or grunt of the Ric, but it's close enough, and to my eye looks a whole lot better
Clarky Posted June 19, 2012 Author Posted June 19, 2012 [i]I could arrange special extended payment terms ... [/i]
Beedster Posted June 20, 2012 Posted June 20, 2012 Clarky, I've had a few folks interested in the v63 so I'm pretty confident I'll have this back off you (and at the price you paid of course). Can you hold for a day or two while I sort out the process? Cheers C
Beedster Posted June 22, 2012 Posted June 22, 2012 Enough basses have gone back and forth between me and Clarky for the Inland Revenue to suspect some form of circular tax doge. Keep an eye open for the upcoming Jimmy Carr-esque media outrage
Beedster Posted September 14, 2012 Posted September 14, 2012 It perhaps goes without saying that a rather exciting and imminent change of career, address and life generally prompts the resale of this bass http://basschat.co.uk/topic/173293-fsft-late-70searly-80s-gherson-copy-of-a-famous-brand-bass/ Chris
Recommended Posts