Dawning Realisation...

[Starless]

Long story short: 70's Rick 4001 owner, first proper bass. Regretted selling it in the 80's. Turned 50 last year, time to get back to what I enjoyed doing (after wives, kids etc). Purchased 4003, OK, not great, didn't like the neck - not how I remembered it. Not long ago, sourced a 4001C64S - now you're talking, great bass, flatwound heaven. Always wanted to play fretless, so one cheap Rockbass later I'm getting not too bad at it. Definitely need to upgrade. Rick out of the question, can't get hold of one anywhere, so decide to do what I had always resisted in the past - try a Fender. Always hated how just about every band in history wore the rock 'uniform' of Precision/Strat/Tele etc so in principle they were a no-go area for me. Tried one (Precision) in a shop back in my youth and it felt like a paving slab with a baseball bat stuck on it. First impressions and all that.

But I'm older, wiser, richer, and can afford to experiment a bit these days. Now, how to find a Fender which a) is natural finish, b) fretless, c) maple fingerboard and d) doesn't have any lines on it (the default Fender fretless always seems to be geared towards bass-monkeys who can't get by without somewhere to mark where their fingers should go - who plays bass with their head bent forward looking at the fingerboard anyway?!). Next the thorny issue of 'Country of Origin'. When it comes to Fenders, the consensus seems to be that they are inferior if made in Mexico by Mexicans, and much superior if made in America by Mexicans. But delving deeper reveals a strong body of opinion that those cunning devils from Nippon have actually been churning out class instruments which are virtually indistinguishable from the so-called 'Real Thing' (and a damn sight cheaper to boot).

And then, as if by magic, a Japanese Precision, natural, maple, fretless, un-lined, comes up and it is drawing me in.....

It arrived today, my first Fender. Lined it up against my C64 and 4003 and..... boy does it look impressive. Strapped it on, plugged it in... and.... boy does it SOUND impressive. A few darting runs up the neck and back...boy does it FEEL impressive. One pickup, a small bent bit of metal with four saddles for a tailpiece, one volume, one tone control. Intonation slightly off on the D string, a small screwdriver and 30 seconds later - intonation spot-on. Basic, simple, un-cluttered tone monster.

I have hardly put it down all day. The Ricks are sitting there, looking weedy, fussy, complicated, over-priced.....

My 4003 was surplus to requirements as soon as the C64 arrived. Now, it could be that both of them will be on their way. I may have to say goodbye to this forum and seek out people on the Fender side of the internet (but I have this nagging feeling that they are probably mostly 14 years old and call everyone 'Dude').

I don't suppose anyone will be wanting pictures of my latest acquisition then...?

[VRICKY63]

Dude ! We do not want to see your F#%@der ! Hmmmmmm I have a Pedulla avatar on the RIC forum. How much for the 4003 ?

[antipodean]

Graeme-san,

Omedeto gozaimasu! Nihon no Fender Basu wa subarashi desu!

That's my Japanese vocabulary exhausted.

You may have wanted to post this thread in 'The Others" or "Forum 51", which cater for non-Rick content!

[johnallg]

Graeme, We still like you even without a Rick. I'd like to see a pic or two of the P bass. Hey, you gotta play what floats your boat. But, did you know it is okay to own more than one bass at a time? Keep the C64S.

[deargdoom]

I wanna see a picture of that fretless P bass.

[antipodean]

Graeme-san,

Omedeto gozaimasu! Nihon no Fender Basu wa subarashi desu!

To avoid misunderstanding, I'll translate:

Honourable Graeme,

Many congratulations! Japanese Fender basses are awesome!

I've had two MIJ Js and have loved them to bits (not literally, of course). Never seen an MIJ fretless P with maple fingerboard - sounds fantastic.

[VRICKY63]

Don't mind the ignoramuses, I wanna see a picture of that fretless P bass.

Hey ! I resemble that comment !

[ilan]

Graeme, you are in the infatuation stage of your relations with that bass. I went through the same love story with my '73 fretless P. For a few weeks I played it exclusively while my other basses - 7 vintage Fenders, a '64 Gretsch and of course two gorgeous Rics - were sitting in their cases. A blank plank P is such a joy to play, I know why right now you don't want to play anything else. But trust me, sooner or later you will reach for the Ric, you will miss that unmistakable sound. I think you'd better keep it.

[haw]

Fender Japanese stuff is awesome. Would the fretless P have a Sting-esque black guard? if so, very, very nice!!

I think everyone goes through phases of being pulled toward something else just for a change, I got a 5 string bass a couple of days ago and the ways things are with it, I can't see the Rick being out of its case for a wee while.

That said, it's always good to have an arsenal of tone options at one's disposal!

[ricaddic]

You go my good friend, dont let the snobisim get to you, I also would like to see photo's of the Fender, I have a 2001 MIM fretless jazz bass that my daughters got me for Christmas that same year, and it is the only fretless bass I'll ever need, the bass is awsume, has great tone and its all stock, at first I thought I would probibly replace the pick ups, this is the first non american made fender I ever played and was surprised how good it was so I just left it alone, have played a Ric fretless and it just didnt do it for me, and no you wont lose that lust for it eithier, Ive had that bass since 2001 and still play the hell out of it, and thee are many nights where my Rics dont get touched.there are alot of cool people on this forum, many I highly respect, and look forward to meeting also, however there are your what is known aS (I DIDNT GIVE THEM THIS NAME BUT AGREE WITH IT) Ricsnobs that go out of thier way to try and belittle anyone that likes or mentions another bass or company, or who has a criticisim about ricks, and who also because the CEO of Rickenbacker )(whom I have great respect and admiration for) often chimes in on this site and the Rickenbacker corperate site, feel the need to sickingly butt much & utt kiss themselfs silly like he is going to suddenly appear on thier doorstep someday and give them the Rickenbacker of thier choice, so feel free to express you true feelings and thoughts anytime you wish, and if the Ricksnbs cant deal with it, screw them.

[rickenbrother]

dont let the snobisim get to you, .

Maybe I shouldn't post this, but I'm gonna...

Sorry Ange, but where was the snobism? If anything, I feel more like Graeme was thumbing his nose or giving the one finger wave at guys like me (I guess I'm a Rickensnob) who mainly pay Ricks. How come that's okay?
Since snobism was assumed I will say this, I totally agree with Ilan. Having your very first fretless bass from almost any guitar manufacturer is very different and very cool. Is that statement non snobbery enough for the the guys who are looking to point out anything as snobbery? The other reason why I agree with Ilan, is the Graeme has stated that he regretted selling his first Rick. He most likely have regrets if he sells both Ricks. Maybe not right away, but eventually.
There was also nothing snobbish with what Evan said about maybe this should be 'The Others" or "Forum 51". That's what it there for.
I could be wrong, but with the twisted feelings I get from most Fender bass lovers (off forum) about Ricks, I think Rick bass players are much more tolerant and accepting of discussing other brands. I usually just get feeling of hate towards Rick basses from most Fender guys, again these are / were OFF forum discussions.

I think if I joined the Fender and switched scenarios, where I told the Fender guys that I was dumped my Fenders for a Rick, they wouldn't exactly get a warm and fuzzy feel from my post.
Maybe I should join the Fender forum. I'll Tell them what a lame sounding POS I thought my '76 Fender Precision was and much I had to modify it to get it to sound decent. Then also tell them that my MIM Fender Precision sounds much better than that one did. Honestly, the Univox Hi Flyer I had blew away that '76 Precision. Then I'll just post pics of and discuss Ricks on the Fender forum. I'm sure most of the guys there will love that.

Ange, do you call the guys on the Fender forum who only like Fenders bass a Fendersnob?

I'm very proud to spend almost all of my bass playing time on a Rickenbacker bass. If you you want to call me a Rickensob, go right ahead, I'm proud of it!

[sloop_john_b]

Joey, you're such a Rickensnob.

[twangs]

I have 3 Rick basses - 4001v63 MG, 4003 Blueboy, and a 4004LK. Fun to play and beautiful to look at. But, I always take the 78 P bass on the gig - I recently dropped the stock pups back in - Thunderous sound. When I play that bass, it's like putting on an old pair of slippers.

I enjoy all things Rickenbacker, but I don't understand this Rick vs. Fender mentality...

[VRICKY63]

Ha ! I play a 24 fret ignoramus with single snob pickups . Its got a Fenderbackerricken tailpiece with 4 inches of lift

[ryan.jones]

i am not a rickensnobber, myself...