NBD 79 4001 Ric

[Duroc17]

Say hello to

Blondie boys. My first Ric and absolutely loving it. Got from Andy Baxter’s showroom today. Wow has he got some good stuff. I bought a 66 Mustang off him some years back, so you know it’s quality gear. 
 

After reading all the bad stuff as well as the good stuff, seems like there’s 2 camps - lovers and haters. Well mama put me in the former- ok the E sting intonation is slightly out but set up at Andy’s with TI flats for me and it’s superb. What a neck. I was going to go for the new 4003 but hard to find stock and for similar money got this one. 
 

much mojo, much to love - I like all the sounds so far and needs mute replacing, which I have on order with Ricky Sounds and pal is going to help me fit it. He’s got 2 Ric’s, and he convinced me to get an old one with lower output- just as well got the extra cab for my cmd121 Markbass then -he’s got one of Paul Gray’s old Rics, an awesome Autumnglo satin finish

 

rehearsal on Friday - woof 

Edited December 28, 2024 by Duroc17

[Skybone]

Sweet. Enjoy!

[Norris]

I still miss my old 4001. My current 4003 just hasn't got the same mojo. Back in 1986 I couldn't afford more than one bass at a time.

 

Yours looks a beauty!

[Duroc17]

Had my first Ric-o-scare last night the bass pick up wouldnt be selected with the switch - when i first got it - the jack connection was a tad lose so took scratchplate out and bent it back in and fine - but the switch was a bit clicky so i sprayed a tiny blast of contact cleaner on it  - then the bass side started to stick - then last night wouldnt work - got a gig at City Hall Newcastle next Friday - so panic set in a tad - anyway a million people online have said dont use contact cleaner on switches - so looked at solutions and could see a contact on the each side of the switch -so very lightly bent the connections in - very very slight i must stress - still no bass pup so going to admit defeat - i put the scratchplate back on making sure the bass pup wire was in the channel and as if by magic, it's now all working - the mute needs replacing and even though i'm happy tinkering with Fenders - i'm going to take it to Northwest Guitars after next gig for a full on set up and i dont want to mess it up

 

I guess this is the quirks of owning a Ric that i keep reading about?  Still it plays like a dream and i'm more than happy to bow to the quirks 

Edited January 10 by Duroc17

[PigBass]

That looks like a lovely bass, congratulations.

 

Now, I don't want to be that guy 🙂 but check the obvious first - because I didn't. I had the same issue with my 4003, I played a whole gig with just the treble pickup working, not a disaster but not ideal either. Came off stage thinking I'm going to have do pretty much what you've said here and then realised I'd plugged into the Rick-O-Sound jack which will defeat the bass pickup if you're using a standard lead. I've only had the bass for 20 years.......

 

Sorry if you already knew that, but worth checking.

 

Cheers, Darren.

[Duroc17]

Just now, PigBass said:

That looks like a lovely bass, congratulations.

 

Now, I don't want to be that guy 🙂 but check the obvious first - because I didn't. I had the same issue with my 4003, I played a whole gig with just the treble pickup working, not a disaster but not ideal either. Came off stage thinking I'm going to have do pretty much what you've said here and then realised I'd plugged into the Rick-O-Sound jack which will defeat the bass pickup if you're using a standard lead. I've only had the bass for 20 years.......

 

Sorry if you already knew that, but worth checking.

 

Cheers, Darren.

yes the first time i plugged it in was wrong jack but no i always check now esp at practice - first gig with it next week - all working again for now 🙂