4000 FB bass one-off

[Ashgray]

Just seen this on the RIC Facebook site - what a beauty!:

Paul Boyer to the front desk please, it would be nice to include in Edition 2 of the book!

Ash

[bassduke49]

Ding ding! Photos received and to be considered!

I gotta tell everyone that I have been helped greatly by Brendan Duff, the customer service rep who answers the phone at RIC. I know there are a few detractors out there about RIC CS, but Brendan has been more than courteous, knowledgable, responds quickly, and comes through every time with information and photos!

[jps]

Interesting pickup placement on that 4000 "Noir" (wonderful concept BTW), with the pickup surround flipped around, too, moving the pickup even closer to the bridge. I bet this "Noir" bass sounds great.

What's the third control for? Is this like the harness for the 3001 model with both treble and bass roll off controls? Or, is this the first active bass from RIC?

[bassduke49]

Third knob controls built-in distortion, according to Brendan.

[Ashgray]

Third knob controls built-in distortion, according to Brendan.

Did he confirm that this bass is a one-off, and not a limited run of basses?
Ash

[bassduke49]

Just a one-off, I think for Brendan.

[ilan]

Did you ask about the fretboard? it looks unfinished. To match the flat finish on the body, I assume.

Also, it's the first time I see a bass coming from RIC with a surround and no handrest.

[bassduke49]

OK, I don't think Brendan asked to keep it confidential, so here's what he wrote to me about this bass:

"It is a 4000 FB (Flat Black) and has the same matte finish as the NOIR basses. It has all black hardware, Multi layered pickguard (B/W/B/W), Laser etched black TRC, Guitar frets, Matte finished fingerboard and the Bridge pickup's position is different from any other RIC bass and has been pushed all the way back to the tailpiece. It has a 3000 series pickup, 1 volume knob, 1 tone knob and the last knob is for on board distortion which is built into the bass."

[bottom4]

Sweet bass!

I'm glad I got a Noir. Now just a few more months till I'm back home in NJ to enjoy her...

[woodyng]

Very Cool! Interesting seeing a 4000 with all the deluxe features.....

[bassduke49]

Yeah, although they call it a 4000 because it has just one pickup, it's really more of a custom finished 4003 without a second pickup. I like the spirit and initiative of the employees in making these creative and unique instruments. True, they may not be available to us, but they may give us some ideas on our own customizations.

[cheyenne]

Interesting, not my cup of tea as far as pup placement,,, but then again, that's not your standard off the shelf treble pickup now is it? 3000 series?

[jps]

I would wager this bass sounds great with that 3000 series pickup located there.

[teeder]

[quoteI'm glad I got a Noir.][/quote]

What's a "Noir"?
Apparently, I missed something.

[jps]

What's a "Noir"?
Apparently, I missed something.

These are Ben Hall photos of the bass on the bench, just waiting to be put into action.

RIC image 2016

RIC image 2016

And a few more waiting to be released into the wild!

RIC imags 2016