Why'd the guy have to mess with this?

marc61 · Post by **marc61** » Sat Aug 27, 2005 2:05 am

Nicely aged mapleglo..

http://www.williesguitars.com/index.cfm?sector=user&page=detail&prodID=771

henry5 · Post by **henry5** » Sat Aug 27, 2005 2:46 am

That's one of the nicest mapleglos I've ever seen...except for the Badass and the brass nut of course. What a shame.

marty · Post by **marty** » Sat Aug 27, 2005 2:47 am

Nice...Very nice!

I wonder if an original tailpiece was put back ,would it cover the screw holes the new one has made?

It doesn't look like it would.

rickaddict · Post by **rickaddict** » Sat Aug 27, 2005 4:37 am

"Very cool ride?!" How does this guy play his guitars?

That is some of the coolest wood I've seen on a 4001. Its too bad. It looks like its probably a re-fin too.

bob_atherton · Post by **bob_atherton** » Sat Aug 27, 2005 5:05 am

"Very cool ride?!" How does this guy play his guitars?

LOL....!

clankchris · Post by **clankchris** » Sat Aug 27, 2005 5:18 am

I understand where the Badass II gives some basses a little more sustain.....(personally, for Ricks though, the direct replacement hipshot is nicer!)...

....but wouldn't that big piece of plastic underneath ruin any benefits of it, and mask the sound of the guitar's wood? ..I also understand the plastic is for asthetic reasons, such as covering things you wouldn't want to see, and hipshots are pretty recent....( I also don't like how the stock tailpiece can sometimes hinder string muting, but it's pretty, and not that bad )..

atomic_punk · Post by **atomic_punk** » Sat Aug 27, 2005 7:28 am

What's with the XLR out that was added? I wish they would show that...must have modded the output jack for that?
That being said, I love it.

wints · Post by **wints** » Sat Aug 27, 2005 8:51 am

Would have been a great piece if not for the usual 70's mods. Some of the best wood I've seen on an early 70's bass. Possibly a refin with the spot of potential BG at the bottom, but you'd find it hard to believe the factory would let wood of this quality be covered by a solid colour.

Still, you should try and take it back to stock. Get the holes carefully filled, junk the XLR.
It could be an even "cooler ride"...

henry5 · Post by **henry5** » Sat Aug 27, 2005 2:12 pm

If that could be taken back to stock, that would be a fabulous looking bass (as if it isn't already)....to be honest if I had the money I'd probably buy it as is, and see what could be done about the mods. None of them look like that big a deal, although the bridge could go either way....

bob_atherton · Post by **bob_atherton** » Sat Aug 27, 2005 8:25 pm

I agree Shaun, by UK price standards that is quite a steal. I'm surprised it's still for sale.

henry5 · Post by **henry5** » Sun Aug 28, 2005 2:35 am

Bob, I wish we could get Ricks, new or used, at US prices..... I know people throw up their hands in horror at CSs (for instance) going for $3000+, but here you're talking in excess of £2500, or around $5000.....but yes, that bass still looks like a good buy.

henny · Post by **henny** » Sun Aug 28, 2005 10:28 am

Wahh 72, my fave.

Stunning, shame about the bridge, eh.

Not worth $2075.

1400-1600 tops.

nattiep · Post by **nattiep** » Sun Aug 28, 2005 11:09 am

I'd buy it and leave the bridge. Nothing wrong in my eyes about it. It still works right? Intonates better. Some extra holes but big deal. The surround on the bridge could be a little better. Taking the shape of the original tailpiece and going back to where the binding stops but if I could afford it I'd fix the brass nut and that's it.

I know you guys are purists and like stuff to be stock but what's wrong with something modded with three holes that might sound a little better?

clankchris · Post by **clankchris** » Sun Aug 28, 2005 11:25 am

Will it sound better? ...I think the plastic might mask some of the wood's natural sound.

....and wouldn't the hipshot help it more?(no plastic buffer)

nattiep · Post by **nattiep** » Sun Aug 28, 2005 12:14 pm

They didn't have those back then. I think this was the only other option.