RCA bass

dswp · Post by **dswp** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 1:34 pm

"I suppose this would be the ultimate one for the collection, eh Dave?"

So how do I get in touch with Rocky Ryan?

bassduke49 · Post by **bassduke49** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 3:37 pm

John Hall, do you recall when that doubleneck was made/presented? How about any other basses for RCA? I'm trying to figure out if they preceded the Cheyenne/Dakota or evolved from them.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 4:07 pm

did the double neck look a little like this?

I thought that I came up with an original idea of a double neck based on the 650 guitar

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 4:10 pm

Paul, a few forumites own 360/12 RCA models, perhaps you could find out from them what year they were made? The doubleneck most certainly would have been right around that time.

I know Steve Lasko for sure owns one, maybe Kevin Kuney as well.

krick · Post by **krick** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 4:46 pm

The three RCA-SPC 12 string models, I know of, have 1992 serial numbers. I believe Forum member Bill Henshell owns one in addition to mine and Steve's.

I recall an RCA bass being on eBay at least once several years ago and I believe the listing mentioned a band named Shenandoah.

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 4:50 pm

Thanks Kevin. So they don't pre date the 650/4004, but not by much. For the most part, i've seen these instruments dating back to about 1992, though JH thinks the 4004's were around in '89.

johnhall · Post by **johnhall** » Fri Sep 07, 2007 5:49 am

Paul, both the guitar and the bass were already well established on the market when we built the doubleneck. It had a K6 serial number and was delivered on Dec. 20, 1993.

I know there are photos of this guitar here somewhere but I'm surprised I can't easily find them in the archive. Anyone who has one is welcome to post photos, even if they are from the factory.

The RCA guitars only predated and were the forerunners of one model- the 380 Laguna.

All of the various RCA guitars were produced for delivery in December 1992 and 1993, and have serials beginning L5, K5, and K6.

bassduke49 · Post by **bassduke49** » Fri Sep 07, 2007 7:16 am

Thanks so much, John. Here's a shot of the leftie doubleneck. It's obviously a factory shot, and it's gone through several hands before reaching me. I hope I can get better shots or a higher-res version of this one to use in the book someday. What a beauty, eh?

ilan · Post by **ilan** » Fri Sep 07, 2007 7:23 am

Not bad for $3K

teeder · Post by **teeder** » Fri Sep 07, 2007 7:27 am

Wow, that looks cool!

ricosound · Post by **ricosound** » Fri Sep 07, 2007 7:29 am

make more please.

rickcrazy · Post by **rickcrazy** » Fri Sep 07, 2007 8:32 am

Many thanks, John and Paul. Now that really is a thing of beauty!

gearhed289 · Post by **gearhed289** » Fri Sep 07, 2007 8:37 am

There used to be a picture of that bass/guitar on the old Ric web site. It was very small and was in the gallery section with "coming soon" or something like that. (The gallery was coming soon, not the instrument!) I always assumed it was built for Sir Paul.

$3K? That's like a deposit on an Alembic!

aceonbass · Post by **aceonbass** » Fri Sep 07, 2007 8:57 am

That would be an easy instrument to replicate. All you'd need, besides the 4004 and 650, is the piece of walnut that joins them with the correct dimensions and a couple of switches. The lack of a conversion varnish finish to ruin in the process would really help to cut costs.

rickenbrother · Post by **rickenbrother** » Fri Sep 07, 2007 9:19 am

Wow, that's nice!!!