Jump to content
Why become a member? ×
Site will be going offline at 11pm Boxing Day for a big update. ×
  • advertisement_alt
  • advertisement_alt
  • advertisement_alt

RickenFakers

Happy Jack

By Happy Jack,
in Bass Guitars

 Share

Recommended Posts

Bassassin Grand Master

Bassassin

Posted
Posted

[quote name='steviedee' post='772127' date='Mar 11 2010, 09:22 PM']Cheers Jon that's great thanks for the info mate, really useful to know a bit more about the bass. I had it on quite good authority before I went to see the bass that it was a great copy. I have to admit I know nothing about them and got most of the info from this thread and your posts, so cheers!

I'm pretty sure it's a real Ric TRC, do people buy them? I'd really like to get my hands on an Ibanez TRC.

As for playing in Edinburgh are you talking about Abel Ganz we don't do that many gigs but would love to play Edinburgh, our next gig is in Vilnius at the Baltic prog rock festival, though some of the lads are doing an acoustic set at the Ferry.

My rockabilly band The Chihuahuas are meant to be playing some new trad/roots music venue in Edinburgh though at some point though.[/quote]
Rick TRCs - if they are genuine - are very sought after, because Rickenbacker won't sell them. Presumably to prevent naughty people from sticking them on copies! So yes - these bits of plastic can sell for £100 or more. The best way to find out if it's original would be to take some good, clear pics of it & ask the very knowledgeable experts who frequent [url="http://www.rickresource.com"]http://www.rickresource.com[/url] forums - they'll probably even be able to tell you what era it's from. Just don't tell them it was on a Faker! :rolleyes:

You'd be very lucky to find an original Ibanez cover to replace it but I can knock up a facsimile made from 4mm acrylic - I've made several for my own basses & a guitar:

[attachment=44662:4trc.jpg]

The two with logos simply have a printed card insert stuck behind them - primitive but functional since I currently haven't found a workable (and cheap) way of applying an image to the back of the trc itself. These also have rounded & polished edges, just cos I like it... The other two have straight-cut frosted edges and are simply painted a solid colour on the back.

As far as I know the original Ibby item would have been 2 or 3-ply scratchplate plastic, with the logo engraved through the top layer. I can't (yet!) do that but it would be easy enough to make a card insert with the correct Ibanez logo, under a clear trc.

I've also go some mirrored acrylic that I've not yet tried working with - should be good for Pickguardian-type pickup rings...

Anyway - gigs, I checked out the Baltic prog fest site & it seems they're still accepting demos. Wonder if they have room for two Scottish bands? :)

J.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
steviedee Mentor

steviedee

Posted
Posted

Hey Jon those pick TRCs look great really well done I dunno if you make them for other folk but I'd certainly buy one!

On the Baltic prog front go for it, I've had not real dealings with them but apparently the folk are really nice , no money in it of course but apparently cheap flights are just about to be available from Edinburgh.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Bassassin Grand Master

Bassassin

Posted
Posted (edited)

[quote name='steviedee' post='772765' date='Mar 12 2010, 01:42 PM']Hey Jon those pick TRCs look great really well done I dunno if you make them for other folk but I'd certainly buy one!

On the Baltic prog front go for it, I've had not real dealings with them but apparently the folk are really nice , no money in it of course but apparently cheap flights are just about to be available from Edinburgh.[/quote]

That was the idea - I'd be happy to knock one up for you. How about a straight swap for the Rick one... :rolleyes: :)

I'll run the Baltic fest idea past the guys - I know 3 out of 4 of us will be well up for it. We've only played outside of the UK once before, which was Prague in 2006, it was an absolute blast & two of the best gigs we've done. I'd love to do the same sort of thing again, particularly in front of an audience who might actually appreciate what we do.

J.

Edited by Bassassin
Link to comment
Share on other sites
steviedee Mentor

steviedee

Posted
Posted

I think I might just keep the rick TRC :) however your if you can make me one it'll be much appreciated and name yer price. Sadly Britain is a bit sh*t for the prog gigs, we played Summers End which was great and recently supported Pallas at the Ferry in Glasgow which was cool. But the gigs are few and far between and its such a hassle getting the tubular bells and gongs out for one man and his dog :rolleyes:

Link to comment
Share on other sites
The Twickerman Enthusiast

The Twickerman

Posted
Posted

[quote name='steviedee' post='772181' date='Mar 11 2010, 10:04 PM']Just thought I'd post a pic of the bloke who plays with Italian prog band The Watch, he makes his own 'Handyman' guitars.... nice!
[attachment=44652:watch.jpg][/quote]

I have something a bit like that. Shown here with two of my genuine Rics:-

[url="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=3770793&id=700601843"]http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=3770...mp;id=700601843[/url]

Link to comment
Share on other sites
FlatEric Community Regular

FlatEric

Posted
Posted

[quote name='The Twickerman' post='773171' date='Mar 12 2010, 09:16 PM']I have something a bit like that. Shown here with two of my genuine Rics:-

[url="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=3770793&id=700601843"]http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=3770...mp;id=700601843[/url][/quote]

As I am perhaps the only person remaining, not on Facebook - Could you post a pic?
Would love to see it. :)
I have a Reeve 4&6.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Bassassin Grand Master

Bassassin

Posted
Posted

A naughty direct link should work:



There's a Rickenfakers FB group, set up by our very own Hooky6stringbass:

[url="http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=78514186083"]http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=78514186083[/url]

Big gallery of pics there & I'm starting to be convinced Hooky6string's owned all of them at one point or another...

J.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Bassassin Grand Master

Bassassin

Posted
Posted

Aria Diamond - Matsumoku bolt neck:

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320498460896"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=320498460896[/url]

Horrid-looking replacement pups which are probably those cheap single coil copies of the old Hofner Staple things.

J.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
The Twickerman Enthusiast

The Twickerman

Posted
Posted

[quote name='Annoying Twit' post='774138' date='Mar 14 2010, 10:18 AM']Watchng this to see what they go for.

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/RICKENBACKER-4001-4003-bridge-pickup-cover-NOS-unused_W0QQitemZ120541410422QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Guitar_Accessories?hash=item1c10d3f476"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/RICKENBACKER-4001-40...=item1c10d3f476[/url][/quote]

I don't believe they fetch much. I have a couple lying around somewhere...

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Bassassin Grand Master

Bassassin

Posted
Posted

Someone shut that window - the light's attracting them!

Black through-neck no-idea-what-it-is:

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190380752650"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=190380752650[/url]

Ibanez 2388B bolt neck project:

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1970s-Ibanez-Rickenbacker-style-bass-guitar-Japan_W0QQitemZ190380711117"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1970s-Ibanez-Rickenb...emZ190380711117[/url]

£229 BIN - if I had the parts to finish it (bridge, scratchplate, neck pup, electronics) I might well go for this one. Nice early Ibby copy - check out the massive square-hole tailpiece & full-width sparklies. :)

Jon.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Annoying Twit Proficient

Annoying Twit

Posted
Posted (edited)

[quote name='The Twickerman' post='774152' date='Mar 14 2010, 10:34 AM']I don't believe they fetch much. I have a couple lying around somewhere...[/quote]

That's interesting for the future. But my guitar buying budget is negative after the Rickenfaker, and I'm STILL the high bidder on this Westone bass which is finishing today: [url="http://offer.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewBids&item=120540731724"]http://offer.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?V...em=120540731724[/url] So, it's possible it may get pushed significantly more negative. At this point, even for small things, I want to stop buying until the budget recovers. Doesn't stop me looking however. :)

[quote name='Bassassin' post='774811' date='Mar 14 2010, 11:43 PM']Ibanez 2388B bolt neck project:
£229 BIN - if I had the parts to finish it (bridge, scratchplate, neck pup, electronics) I might well go for this one. Nice early Ibby copy - check out the massive square-hole tailpiece & full-width sparklies. :rolleyes:[/quote]

Is that really a good price? It's all scratched up, missing much of the electronics and various bits and pieces, and is a bolt-on rather than a set neck. And if you add on the postage, it's more expensive than my Cimar was. This is a direct rather than rhetorical question, as I don't know prices.

I did look up the location of the shop mentioned in the ebay listing to see if it had a website or was easy to visit. No to both it seems, no website I could find, and in the furtherest away part of Nottinghamshire.

Edited by Annoying Twit
Link to comment
Share on other sites
The Twickerman Enthusiast

The Twickerman

Posted
Posted

[quote name='Annoying Twit' post='774909' date='Mar 15 2010, 07:56 AM']That's interesting for the future. But my guitar buying budget is negative after the Rickenfaker, and I'm STILL the high bidder on this Westone bass which is finishing today: [url="http://offer.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewBids&item=120540731724"]http://offer.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?V...em=120540731724[/url] So, it's possible it may get pushed significantly more negative. At this point, even for small things, I want to stop buying until the budget recovers. Doesn't stop me looking however. :)[/quote]

..and bidding!

My first ever bass was a Thunder 1a. In natural, with the original Westone logo on the headstock. £127 from Kingfisher Music in Fleet in 1983.

Can't say I remember it with any great affection though... then again I have never got on with Precisions either.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Annoying Twit Proficient

Annoying Twit

Posted
Posted (edited)

[quote name='The Twickerman' post='774912' date='Mar 15 2010, 08:04 AM']..and bidding![/quote]

The Westone bid was made before I knew I was likely to buy the Cimar. I don't like retracting bids once I've made them. I'm only pence away from being outbid though, so perhaps in the last few seconds of the auction just when I'm bricking it .....

Edit: 5 hours to go. Still winning.

Though, I must admit that I've continued my policy of lowball bids all over the place. I strongly suspect that none of these will come up within the budget recovery period anyhow :)

Edited by Annoying Twit
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Bassassin Grand Master

Bassassin

Posted
Posted

[quote name='Annoying Twit' post='774909' date='Mar 15 2010, 07:56 AM']Is that really a good price? It's all scratched up, missing much of the electronics and various bits and pieces, and is a bolt-on rather than a set neck. And if you add on the postage, it's more expensive than my Cimar was. This is a direct rather than rhetorical question, as I don't know prices.[/quote]

I'd say yes - from the point of view of a collector - or some gyppo out to make a killing - despite all the missing bits, this still has the most important part - the Ibanez truss cover. A through-neck Ibby can go for £500 - £600, while the bolt-neck counterpart can get maybe £100 less. The Ibanez brand commands a premium that other JapCrap names don't. That said, Rick copies, regardless of condition, can bring out the Ebay hordes and silly money can change hands - check this out:

[attachment=44838:bodyF.jpg] [attachment=44839:headfront.jpg]

Top horn hacked off, frets ripped out & badly filled, neck binding gone, Ronseal refin, plywood scratchplate, no hardware etc. I sold that for £180.

And bear in mind you got a [i]spectacularly[/i] good deal on your Cimar. :)

J.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Annoying Twit Proficient

Annoying Twit

Posted
Posted (edited)

[quote name='Bassassin' post='775406' date='Mar 15 2010, 05:03 PM']Top horn hacked off, frets ripped out & badly filled, neck binding gone, Ronseal refin, plywood scratchplate, no hardware etc. I sold that for £180.[/quote]

£180!!!!

Did you ever get to see what happened to it after you sold it? Did it get restored?

Not serious here, but perhaps the buyer thought it more valuable as with the modifications it no longer infringes on anyone's intellectual property.

Edit: "Tokia" (sic) Rockinbetter, also from Bolton. [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/tokia-rockinbetter-riki-style-bass_W0QQitemZ320502303133QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV?hash=item4a9f6d099d"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/tokia-rockinbetter-r...=item4a9f6d099d[/url]

Edited by Annoying Twit
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Bassassin Grand Master

Bassassin

Posted
Posted

[quote name='Annoying Twit' post='775416' date='Mar 15 2010, 05:12 PM']£180!!!!

Did you ever get to see what happened to it after you sold it? Did it get restored?

Not serious here, but perhaps the buyer thought it more valuable as with the modifications it no longer infringes on anyone's intellectual property.

Edit: "Tokia" (sic) Rockinbetter, also from Bolton. [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/tokia-rockinbetter-riki-style-bass_W0QQitemZ320502303133QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV?hash=item4a9f6d099d"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/tokia-rockinbetter-r...=item4a9f6d099d[/url][/quote]
He actually sold it on (for a few quid less) a month or so later - I guess he must have realised it was a lost cause & pretty much unrestoreable. Cheeky sod even used my photos! :)

J.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...