1976 John Birch SCDR (Ric-style) bass

12stringbassist · Post by **12stringbassist** » Sun Feb 05, 2006 6:24 am

I know it ain't a Ric, but I just got this today..

http://www.crazeeworld.plus.com/images/guitars/ian_e/rickenbircher_ian_e.jpg

Rarer than Rockin' horse s......
Yee Har!!!

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Sun Feb 05, 2006 6:44 am

I have never seen one of those before. John Birch, as in the John Birch Society?

ilan · Post by **ilan** » Sun Feb 05, 2006 6:50 am

Not enough pots... I'd add a few more switches on there too, just for some more tonal options.

FWIW, maple necks with large black inlays have always been a major turn-off for me. Sorry, Geddy fans.

s4001 · Post by **s4001** » Sun Feb 05, 2006 6:50 am

THAT BASS ROCKS!!!!

12stringbassist · Post by **12stringbassist** » Sun Feb 05, 2006 7:11 am

Thanks for the comments.
Though it's certainly NOT a Ric, I thought people here may be interested!

It looks totally unlike how it was described to me (yesterday) when I was told that this guy in Manchester had a set of John Birch guitars to sell. Still had to have it!

John Birch made guitars for Slade (think SuperYob), Black Sabbath, Roy Wood, Roy Orbison and also made the first ever replica of Brian May's 'Red Special' as a backup for Brian to use. It is featured in the promo for 'We will rock you' and is noticeably paler than the original.

There aren't a lot of his guitars about and I'm glad I had a chance to get it. The seller is trying to keep them all in the UK as there is a US guy buying every John Birch screw and fitting he can get hold of. The guy has some others which can be seen on my site's 'custom and rare guitars' page at http://www.crazeeworld.plus.com/pages/general/desirables_custom.htm

There is also a pic of white 6/4 string JB 'Rickenbircher' I saw at a recent guitar show on that page

Some of you may be aware of Jaydee guitars - John Diggins worked for JB possibly at this time - possibly on this bass.

henry5 · Post by **henry5** » Sun Feb 05, 2006 7:50 am

Ian, I have an acquaintance who also has one, but with dot inlays I seem to remember. He got it off ebay I think.....short scale, pretty heavy. Needed a decent set up, but pretty cool. I couldn't quite work out what the controls did though, despite being an Alembic devotee...

12stringbassist · Post by **12stringbassist** » Sun Feb 05, 2006 7:54 am

Hi,

Upper L - R: Stereo pickup selector / Tone Bridge / Tone neck

Lower: Vol bridge / Vol neck / Master volume

The John Birch name carries on, even though JB himself sadly died a few years ago....

http://www.johnbirchguitars.com

thinneckrick · Post by **thinneckrick** » Sun Feb 05, 2006 7:56 am

Hey Ilan , If you ever put your hands around a black block fender neck you'll forget all about the cosmetics .

henry5 · Post by **henry5** » Sun Feb 05, 2006 7:59 am

Ian, thanks for that. I have a feeling the bass I tried may have been rewired

green_us90 · Post by **green_us90** » Sun Feb 05, 2006 8:49 am

black block fender neck?

http://www.fenderforum.com/userphotos/index.html?recid=27059

jnbass · Post by **jnbass** » Sun Feb 05, 2006 10:37 am

got a pearl block J_zz bass...

does that count?

ilan · Post by **ilan** » Sun Feb 05, 2006 10:42 am

No, pearl blocks are cool

jps · Post by **jps** » Sun Feb 05, 2006 11:40 am

My first bass had pearl blocks, it was somewhere between a '66 to '71 Jazz Bass, I never took the neck off that one so I don't really know. That got traded for my 4005WB in '73.

lucky · Post by **lucky** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 3:51 am

Ian those pics of the john birch and the eastwood guitars was that at umist in manchester last may.

12stringbassist · Post by **12stringbassist** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 5:35 am

Hi there,

Yes that's right. I often go to the UMIST shows for a good look round.
The double neck white Rickenbircher was £700. Sorely tempted!!!!