October 9, 2004

highway_star · Post by **highway_star** » Sat Oct 08, 2005 8:19 pm

That's the day I bought my first Rickenbacker, my Fireglo 4003 (aka, The Red Baron). I was in Chuck Levin's Washington Music (Wheaton, MD) because they had just gotten in a Geddy Lee Signature Jazz Bass and the salesman was eager to have me try it since I was in the market for one. I pulled a 4003 off the wall while he got the Lee bass from the stockroom. I played the Lee for about 5 minutes and put it down. I tried an American Series J-Bass next and walked out of the shop with the Ric.

Since then, it's undergone some mods with addition of a Hipshot bridge, but it's my #1 go-to bass. It sees most of my bass action.

So what did that one Ric do? Well it led me to this forum a few days later and then the flood gates opened. The Red Baron has been joined by 8 other Ric basses, 3 Ric guitars and a 4001C64 on order. Now if I could just learn how to play them......

nattiep · Post by **nattiep** » Sat Oct 08, 2005 8:37 pm

Happy Ric B-DAY!

I need one of those hipshot bridges.

Was the Geddy bass really that bad?

ken_swearingen · Post by **ken_swearingen** » Sat Oct 08, 2005 9:33 pm

Ron, did you deal with Bill Brooks?he was my old boss at Venemans.

henny · Post by **henny** » Sun Oct 09, 2005 1:30 am

EIGHT Ric basses in a year?

That's some feat.

highway_star · Post by **highway_star** » Sun Oct 09, 2005 3:03 am

Nate, the Geddy Lee sounded much thinner in comparison to the 4003. Plus, I liked the 4003 neck much better.

Ken, I usually deal with Tim Fizer. We go back several years.

Mark, a small inheritance helped fund those additional bass purchases.

jps · Post by **jps** » Sun Oct 09, 2005 4:33 am

"EIGHT Ric basses in a year?

That's some feat."

I think Ken may have that beat before long!

beatlefan · Post by **beatlefan** » Sun Oct 09, 2005 4:36 am

Ken is "THE MAN"....

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Sun Oct 09, 2005 5:02 am

LOL, I've dealt with alot of the same guys at Levin's. I can remember setting next to Paul Shein at the Who's opening show in DC in 1982.. He was still working at Levin's the last time I went there.

highway_star · Post by **highway_star** » Sun Oct 09, 2005 5:05 am

He's still there.

bob_atherton · Post by **bob_atherton** » Sun Oct 09, 2005 5:11 am

Ken's almost up to about 8 a month at the moment!

fireglo · Post by **fireglo** » Sun Oct 09, 2005 9:13 am

How about a picture with the hipshot bridge?

jnbass · Post by **jnbass** » Sun Oct 09, 2005 9:54 am

its the "arms" race!

highway_star · Post by **highway_star** » Mon Oct 10, 2005 11:27 am

Here's a photo of the birthday girl with the new Hipshot bridge installed. She's sitting in front my amp du jour, a Gallien-Krueger 700RBII and GK 410RBH cabinet. I'm considering adding the Pickguardian bridge pickup surround since the chrome surround has some sharp edges.

highway_star · Post by **highway_star** » Mon Oct 10, 2005 11:29 am

And here's a close-up of the bridge:

I need to adjust the D&G string saddles since it's a bit sharp. I may just add shims instead of cutting down the screws.

nattiep · Post by **nattiep** » Mon Oct 10, 2005 11:36 am

I soooo want one of those! My normal tailpiece is lifting and cutting into the finish on the front of my bass.