R. Smiths book

paul_yan · Post by **paul_yan** » Thu Mar 18, 2004 4:08 pm

I've seen Jeff's B+W work and a real print, simply outstanding!

A few well researched, full-colour illustrated and printed books about the Fender basses have been published over the years:

"How the Fender Bass Changed the World" By Jim Roberts (Excellent!)

"The Fender Bass : An Illustrated History" by J.W. Black and Albert Molinaro (Excellent!!)

"Fender Bass" by Klaus Blasquiz (Only OK.)

The Smith book is poorly B+W printed except 32 pages of colour photos, and is really disappointing in the Basses department, IMHO.

It's about time for a hardcovered coffee table book type "Rickenbacker Bass Book" with many pictures and detailed descriptions of all the bass models and their design/manufacture details and history of changes of parts (tuners, bridges/tailpieces, pickups, inlay styles and materials, bindings, etc.). Limited edition basses (4001 CS, 4003 Black Star, Tuxedo, Shadow, 4004 LK, etc.) were made after the Smith book was published and are not mentioned in it. They are worth a chapter or two. A chapter dedicated to influential artists who play(ed) them would be nice too. And how about a big photo-illustrated "RIC Bass Family Tree" poster to go with the book?

The more knowledgeable members of the RIC Bass Forum (the elitest RIC basses owning bunch in the world, IMHO) should participate in the writing and others can contribute lots of photos. The internet will make this collective writing technically easier than before.

It would be my honour to provide colour photography service for members whose basses are presented in such book.

We can't wait until Mr. Hall's retirement!

basshawk · Post by **basshawk** » Fri Mar 19, 2004 3:46 am

This could probably happen. Just think of the amount of basses there would be to choose from. There would not be any room for narratives due to number of photograghs. We would have to make two books, one for photos, one for the wealth of info provided by the participants of this forum.

mortivan · Post by **mortivan** » Fri Mar 19, 2004 1:05 pm

It's about time for a hardcovered coffee table book type "Rickenbacker Bass Book"

The thought of this book with pictures by Paul makes me think I'm in heaven!! Seriously!

melibreits · Post by **melibreits** » Fri Mar 19, 2004 2:00 pm

"It would be my honour to provide colour photography service for members whose basses are presented in such book." --Paul

So....we all have to ship our basses overseas to Paul so he can play--I mean photograph--them?

Seriously, it would be worth the risk of shipping, and the waiting, if Paul could photograph my bass or any of my guitars!

jps · Post by **jps** » Fri Mar 19, 2004 2:26 pm

Why ship them, Paul can put us all up, we'll just visit him!

paul_yan · Post by **paul_yan** » Fri Mar 19, 2004 2:36 pm

Haha, I'll "ship" myself to your homes and photograph your babies in your favorite background, as long as the publisher takes care of my transportation. The films will be on me!

BobKat · Post by **BobKat** » Tue Mar 23, 2004 7:01 pm

I have often wished that I could undertake this project. I think I would do a good job, despite the fact that, well, I have never written a book. But I am a good writer.

Would it really be that hard to find someone willing? I'll do it if no one else will!

kennyhowes · Post by **kennyhowes** » Tue Mar 23, 2004 8:54 pm

Hey wait a minute here! I'll have you all know that I am FLUENT in English!

jps · Post by **jps** » Wed Mar 24, 2004 2:44 am

LOL!!!

We never doubted you, I think it was your boss that made such a comment!

johnhall · Post by **johnhall** » Wed Mar 24, 2004 6:23 am

See, I told you. He meant to say he's EFFLUENT in English. But his musical talents more than compensate and a few gratuitous EFF's here and there are minor.

jps · Post by **jps** » Wed Mar 24, 2004 3:25 pm

So, in other words, you are saying that Kenny can't speak Riclish?