Ok, so I used my new 4004L at a gig tonight....

tomg · Post by **tomg** » Sat Jan 28, 2006 9:30 pm

And it's awesome. Lightweight, balanced and it sounds _great_.

I got compliments on both the sound and the color.

I'll be using the 4004L as my main gigging bass, relegating the P-Bass to backup status.

dean712 · Post by **dean712** » Sun Jan 29, 2006 12:08 am

Good call! You won't regret it, and the P-bass is always there if you change your mind.

incubus2432 · Post by **incubus2432** » Sun Jan 29, 2006 2:14 am

I'm glad it worked out well.......that means that there is another 4004 getting exposure!

bottom4 · Post by **bottom4** » Sun Jan 29, 2006 3:31 am

Nice Tomg! Happy it worked out for you!

This is what I’ve been saying for over 2 years now.

Get yourself a 4004 and put away your P bass.

green_us90 · Post by **green_us90** » Sun Jan 29, 2006 3:35 am

But all that being said, if I were to pick just one backup Fender, it would be a P Bass.

edski · Post by **edski** » Sun Jan 29, 2006 4:47 am

My Laredo has been #1 since I got it...

No regrets about relegating the 75 4001 to museum status. I still love it, but I'd rather limit the wear and tear.

I have never really felt the electronics on the Laredo were limiting. I usually play with the bass volume at about 1/2, so if I want a growling, nasally twang I use the bridge PU, crank the tone, and put the volume up. With just the neck PU and the tone rolled off, it thumps with the best of them.

Usually I just run both PU's, leave the volume and tone in the middle, and use my hands to generate different sounds. Yeah, I know, very old school...

rickenbrother · Post by **rickenbrother** » Sun Jan 29, 2006 7:02 am

I have my 4004Cii5 on my shoulder the majority of the time for all the sets my band performs at a show, it's nice and light, I never have any shoulder fatigue...and it sounds great! There is a forumite who checked out my band last Saturday night...if he cares to comment on the sound of the 4004Cii5, please do and be honest. From where I am on stage, it sounds outstanding, but I can't tell how it sounds through the PA. I have had plenty of complements on it...and also people who tell me they had no idea RIC made those.

tomg · Post by **tomg** » Sun Jan 29, 2006 7:48 am

My only concern now is gigging with a rare color bass.

I guess I'm gonna end up selling the 4003 and one of the precisions to finance another 4004L

bob_atherton · Post by **bob_atherton** » Sun Jan 29, 2006 8:13 am

"My only concern now is gigging with a rare color bass."

That is what they are made for! It is one of my 'get on my soapbox' things that some people will not play a bass because it is too special, if it is really special it would be the ideal gigging bass IMHO.

I am just sorting out my near mint '72 4001 so it will become my favorite gigging bass. All that said there are two venues that we play that are so tight on space I wouldn't want to risk an almost certain ding. I will take the '80 Azureglo to those.

This is not a personal dig at you Thomas, it's just me...

shinynewtoy · Post by **shinynewtoy** » Sun Jan 29, 2006 9:26 am

Is there room on that soapbox for two Bobs at a time? I'll join you!

edski · Post by **edski** » Sun Jan 29, 2006 9:34 am

2 Bobs and an Ed...

One of the guitarists in my band has a 40th Anniversary Strat. He's worn a few frets pretty bad - it will need a fret job soon. I asked him about maybe putting that baby in semi-retirement but he replied with the "it's meant to be played" line. I really can't argue...

Lately he's been tending towards his 96 Strat, and starting to use his 71 SG a little more. Tastes change, but I doubt it has anything to do with "protecting" the 40th Anniversary axe.

While the FG Laredo is by no means rare, the model itself is kind of unusual. Although I don't use my 75 4001 much anymore, it really more a function of the output jack being fussy. And after a while, I tend to "protect" my real old guitars. My wifes 59 Gibson Acoustic stays under the bed, my 66 Fender Mustang is used sparingly the last few years.

But I'll probably lend the 'Stang to the guitarist...he loves it, and makes it scream bloody murder, which is what it's supposed to do!

jps · Post by **jps** » Sun Jan 29, 2006 4:33 pm

...add a Jeff to the soapbox!

As you all know I do play out with my '67 4005WB, and if that is not rare what is?

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Sun Jan 29, 2006 4:38 pm

I sold my old rare bass and I play newer basses now ... my oldest bass is a 1986 2030 ... and I also stripe my basses and drill holes in them modify the pickups and bridges and add a low B ... and I gig with them ...

s4001 · Post by **s4001** » Sun Jan 29, 2006 5:14 pm

I've gigged hundreds of times with my '68. The CS is soon to see that kind of action.

incubus2432 · Post by **incubus2432** » Sun Jan 29, 2006 5:21 pm

It certainly is not as rare as some but I gig my 4004LK quite often.....it is simply too nice to leave in it's case. It needs to be seen, played and enjoyed. So cram me onto the soapbox as well.