Just What is it YOU are doing with YOUR Rickenbacker Bass??

[cjj]

Now- Where the He** are the rest of you, and your CC #'s PLEASE!?

Let's see, credit card numbers...

OK, I think I've got about 7 or 8 of them.

What I'm doing with my basses? Mostly waiting for it to warm up. My "music room" is a part of the house built in the 1930's and the insulation is, well, let's say, marginal. Oh heck, let's get real, nonexistent. In this -20F to -30F weather we've been having, it's well, just too darn cold, we just close that part of the house off and ignore it. Not to worry, the Ricks are safely put away in their cases in a warm place, just not really enough room to play 'em, darn it!

[Elnjaybass]

In this -20F to -30F weather we've been having,

Ya know, you've made me re-think things.

I was stressing becasue it must have dropped down to about 50 degrees here in lovely Encino...

OTOH, I'm certain I don't have your bucolic tranquility and serenity...Takes me about 45 minutes to get 3 miles with the traffic on the 405....

[cjj]

I understand, I lived in Redondo Beach about 25 years ago. I'm sure the traffic hasn't improved.

It is weird to think that there's a greater than 100 degree temperature differential between inside and outside though...

[seyesbass]

I like to do this with mine.............
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJ6DxYrgcYU

[Elnjaybass]

I like to do this with mine.............

I'm SEEING an Ampeg rig behind you; (2) Classic Cabinets stacked. Bravo! Well-Done.
Rickenbacker/Ampeg- Nice. I know!

I'm HEARING some very nice ringing high-end notes (much better live than on YouTube no doubt) that is a result of the Rickenbacker!!

Where in England is Cheshire?

Went 2 years back- to - Roma, Firenze, Venezia, Lucerne, Paris, and...
LONDON!!!!
Un-beleivable City! Blew everything away- Sorry my French and italian friends, London was the Bomb X2!!

Only issue was I did not get toi the Bass Centre which I understand was near my Hilton Metropole...

Some nonsense about seeing Buckingham Palace, and Hyde Park, and shopping at Harrods, and Piccadilly Circus, and ride on the Thames, and that Famous Church, Ya know, St. Something or the other I think... all that nonsense that my S.O. seemd to feel we had to do whilst abroad... go figure....

England was the best.

[bassilisk]

First I just have to comment about this from Elnjaybass:

I missed the Sterling and it's great MM pup and pre so much I bought another, this time natural ahs, tort p/g wwith the new compensated nut- Ahhhhhh! (Except for the **&^% DARN weaker-response G-String which EB/MM fans are in denial about.
It was (well can still be) my go-to know it's gonna nail it bass.

I got a Sterling in '94 (still have it) - a great bass indeed and I love everything about it, but that very thing about the G string drove me crazy! It's a design flaw - the narrow neck/nut puts the string out of alignment with the pole piece. The only thing for it is a blade pickup. I tried a Bart but I couldn't stand it. Then I got a Lane Poor (direct, back when he was still in business) and let me tell you I never looked back - problem solved. Coupled it with an Aguilar OBP-3 recently. This bass is in my top 3. Yeah, the hardcore EB/MM heads are still in denial about it, but it is what it is. That's why I won't get another.

Okay - on to the Ric! Last year I got an '86 4003 white with all black trim. It's actually my 3rd Ric, but the first two encountered circumstances that forced us to part ways. The first was a '75 FG that I really liked but was ruined by a repair person - the shop bought it off me for what I had into it. The second was a V63 that had a bad neck and was returned to the seller. However, the bug had bit and I knew I had to get another. I really like the '86 a lot - slim neck, lightweight, very easy to play all around. I am always impressed at its versatility tonewise. And with all of that it still has its own character. But I'm preaching to the choir here...

I play in a 50's-60's-70's 9 piece cover band, been there 17 years. Six of us still have day jobs, three are retired. We work pretty steady, and the last 3 years averaged 115 gigs each. In a downturn now, but that's to be expected with the current economic climate. Our busiest time is during summer. Right now we're the house band at a Steak House and work there every Friday year round.
We have four vocalists out front (we all sing some) so we cut a pretty broad swath material wise, from standards to doo wop to Joe Cocker and the Doobies. I love taking the Ric out, particularly on outdoor gigs because it really cuts the mix very well. We're not PA reinforced so we rely on our amps to do the talking. I'm running an Ashdown RPM-1/QSC PLX2402 into an Aguilar 212 and the Ric just sings through it. I prefer a nice meaty tone (none of that bright clickety stuff for me) with definition and the Ric comes through admirably. We're too busy to record, it's just covers anyway, so I don't know what it would be like "on tape". I'd love to find out though!

I've got a pretty good array of basses (22 at the moment) that I use in regular rotation (if I can't take it out it's gone - no collecting) and it wouldn't be complete without a Ric. This one is a keeper. I did add a Hipshot bridge to it and I'm glad I did, so I'll add "Your mileage may vary". (I posted about that and it started quite a to-do in responding posts...I didn't mean to light a fire ). Anyway, I would like to get a V63 somewhere down the road. In the meantime, here's the '86 (again):

[Elnjaybass]

Those white Rickenbackers certainly "yellow-up" with age, don't they? I mean it in a good way- It's called a "Patina"-
Cool!

Thanks for the info (Did you forget your Credit Card?? No matter-you can re-post, or pm me! )

Now I was ROLLING with laughter ref: your comment about the hipshot bridge...
I can see that starting a riot in this Forum! Oh, Man!

ANd ya know- My '92 (?) Sterling, had no problem. That's why I was amazed when my current (2006?) model amply demonstrated the weak G-string syndrome. And when I searched it out on the EB/MM Fourm, it was (from other Posts):
"No NO it doesn't exist, never happened, try new strings, how about raisng the pup, bla bla bla...WE CAN'T HEAR YOU!
Our hands are over our ears!! NyaaNyaa! Oh, Big Poppa, how we love you and all you do!"

HORSE POCKEY- Hey Mon, I lived near the ORIGINAL Dale's Eernie Ball when it was a little tiny store-front in Tarzana CA- the rest is History, and MM instruments are fine, fine, (Well, the new Models- Not for ME!)
Not NOW- Not that I have not one, but TWO Rickenbackers.

I'm the shiznitz.

But wait---
I don't know NUTHIN'.
I'm not proud. Someone tell me what the V63's are for inshtance...

Or do I have to go actually ya know, READ the book, instead of just looking at pics.

ANd I can see why with the character of the RIc basses, some of you moofs have, ummm...more than one...

BTW- More Views than responses.
C'MON, GIVE IT UP
GIVE
IT
UP
!

[incubus2432]

WHAT do you play (type of music, ensemble, professionally, for laughs and giggles, etc???
HOW has the RIc Bass affected your playing; it must have because you are here.

What is it that you do?
Post a link to your Project if there is one....
How does your Rickenbacker effect this?
Do you like your Bass? I'll bet you do?
WHY?
C'mon I told you my story--and a little bit about what I'm doing with MINE (it's new btw)

Thank you

Right now my band is history BUT there is talk of getting back together for a show or two a year. My band was basically a three piece with a singer and we played metal covers with about 80% being Metallica......not necessarily a conscience choice it just evolved into that and worked well for us for about 17 years. There was always an effort to work in more variety and some original material but it just never seemed to work out (one of the reasons I'm sort of glad it's over-ish). We played out (average) once every other month, had a loyal following and got to play a few gigs in front of several thousand people at cool venues. The band went belly up mostly due to our aging drummer's inability to make it through a gig without his wrists swelling to twice their size......age is a killer!

I've tried just about every bass I can get my mitts on and always come back to my Rics. The only other bass I've owned that measures up was my Wal MKII 5-er......great bass but worth too much for me to hang on to for home noodling. I played a 4001/4003 for years but always looked for a slightly different tone....I tried mods to get what I wanted but always fell just a little short of my goal. Finally I got my 1st 4004 in 2005.....my LK. It was what I was after....IMO classic Ric tone with a kick to the lows. Over time I've had quite a few 4004's and have found that I prefer the Laredo over the Cii. Ci models are killer as well. I've just found that the 4004 suits my needs well. My Laredo is currently in que to be converted to a custom 5-er and prior to send off had an ACG preamp installed which gave it Wal like tonal variation....an excellent addition (IMO).

Not sure how it affects my playing.....I play better (it's all relative BTW) because the ergonomics suit me and I love the tone. Other than that not much to add.

Now my LK is relegated to playing for my own amusement but it may see a stage again at some point.



My 4004 mini-collection......one of each 4004 model made. I only have the LK and Laredo currently.

[Elnjaybass]

Would you just look at that collection- Not only a Lemmy model, but all those 4004's...
ANd here I begin to think that I'm into Rickenbackers because I now have 2.
That's funny.

People speak of WAL basses in hushed tones, since they are no more I guess, it's like reverence for the departed.

(why you guys have to modify the Laredo seeing as it's already perfect..)

Huh? What?
No I didn't say anything!

Allright- Here's the deal-
I'm going to obtain a roster. Of Forum-ites.
Make 2 columns.

LEFT Column, those who have responded (even without leaving a Credit Card)

RIGHT Column, those who have viewed the thread, not responded.

Now- There will be held at a later date, a Fiesta, a Par-tay, if you will... a Celebration, a WHiz-Bang SHINDIG!!!
Details, Date Later; TBA. I just thought of thsi- But trust me.....I'm tweaked enough to get it done....
There will be door prizes; Dancing girls, Liquor will flow like Water at Niagra, Food- fit for the Gods.
I could do this- My PROJECT (Old/New School R&B) has a residency in--Las Vegas! R&B amongst the glitter, debauchery, gambling, and other attractions... How the &*^%$% you think I can afford these Rics?? Selling Guitar Straps??!!
Nope. Las Vegas Lounges, this one Upscale, pay obsccene, unwarranted amounts of Money, equal to maybe the intake of one row of $1 Slot Machines for a couple hours....Seriously folks, them Resort/Spas/Casinos- they be rakin' in some $$$$$.
even with the slower economy, Alas..

WHO do you think...which COLUMN do you feel, will be at this Affair?

Just sayin........

[ben_brown]

This is what I do with my Rickenbackers.....



I pose them.......

[cjj]

Yeah pose them in front of that fantastic flamed maple cabinet you built. Wow!

[Elnjaybass]

This is what I do with my Rickenbackers.....

WHOAH!

I thought I had the DEPTHS of Rickenbacker fan-dom estimated, to my mind,
but I see clearly-

I UNDER-ESTIMATED the allure of this instrument.

That is an amazing stable!
BRAVO!

[atomic_punk]

Larry, being a guitar collecting fool, I told myself at some point when one comes in, one goes out. When I looked around and realized I had 22 guitars and basses, it had to stop. Really, for me, they are tools for making music. (since you asked, I WILL tell you)

So I bought the 82 4001S, loved it, but wanted the "deluxe" features. So I got rid of it and got the '73 4001. LOVED IT.
My brother passed away at age 38, totally unexpectedly, And I had to come up with some QUICK money to pay for a lot of things. Sold the '73.
Then the '75 AzureGlo came my way via a STEAL on Ebay. ($600!) I was switching back and forth with the band I was in from 4 to 5 string basses. Messed with my head a LOT. So I decided to go all 5-string and sold the '75. Bought the 4003s5. Loved it as well, but the string spacing was a LITTLE tight.

Meanwhile, this girl I was dating put down a deposit on a 4003BBR for me for a gift. Very nice bass, but after going all 5-string, and breaking up with the girl (trust me, it was for the best), I did not play the BBR as much as I would have liked. So it was sold.
That left me with the 4003S5. I was hauling a several thousand dollar bass out to bars and it was making no sense, for what we were making. I had several other 5vers by this point, (and a 12-string bass) so the 4003S5 went away too. I am one of those guys who is always trying to find "a sound". And it's always changing, unfortunately.

Just the way it is.

When the new 5-string Ricks make their appearance, I will hopefully again dive into the pool!

[sloop_john_b]

Right column party at my place.

[johnallg]

Right column party at my place.

Count me in!