Hello from Scotland!!

[bassmekanik]

Hello there.

My name is Paul and i`m from (currently) snowy Aberdeen in scotland. Ive loved ricky basses since i first saw cliff burton with one way back when i was little. Finally got myself a `97 FG 4003 around 5 years back and loved it ever since. Cant believe i actually own one

I want to extend my love affair with a new one, and have been perusing the internet looking for something new and a little specific. This is where possibly some of you experts could help me.

Ideally i`m looking for a black one, all black, like a Blackstar (i missed out on one a few years back....gutted) and am wondering if theres any easy way, for example, to get a standard jetglo and replace bridge/pickups/pickguard etc for black items.

Ive seen and read the posts on here about the shadow basses. Are these custom jobs made by the owners or is it possible to actually buy these basses as per manufacturers specs?

Of course, if anyone is actually selling a blackstar you could just tell me (hint)

Thanks again to you lads running this site, its full of pretty useful information and will be a regular read for me for years to come i`m sure.

Cheers for reading.

Paul

[tallpat1]

Hi Paul and welcome to the forum lots of great people to help you with your projects.

The answer to your question is a definite maybe

What I mean by that is that you can get parts to convert a standard 4003 JG to a pseudo Shadow/Blackstar. It's just a JG with Black trim. But looks way cool IMHO. but you cannot get all the parts from RIC . Check out pick guardian at http://www.pickguardian.com. He can provide you with a black pickguard, and pickup plates and surrounds that RIC dosen't sell anymore. The only problem is the Black Tailpiece I bought one from RIC many years ago when they were available. you will need to hunt it down on EBAY or take a stock chrome and get it powder coated yourself not sure what kind of results you may get but that is what RIC did to produce their own Black tailpieces. You will also have to call RIC to trade in in the white TRC for a Black one.

Good luck in your search let the forum know how it is progressing.

and again Welcome

[admin]

Welcome Paul. A little bit of white magic to add sparkle to your winter. We know a little bit about snow where I live on Canada's east coast.

I know that a forum member has talked about a Shadow that they have. Perhaps they will chime in here and comment if they are willing to sell.

[ram]

Welcome to the forum Paul... I can't help here but I'm sure others will. I justed wanted to welcome you - good luck with your quest!

[dog]

Hello Paul, and welcome. You may want to go to the "Marketplace" section on the forum and post under "Wanted". Whether you are looking for a Blackstar or just parts to make your own, this is a good starting point. As was pointed out, if you are making your own, the pickguard, knobs, TRC, and bridge (if you decided to go with a black hipshot) will be the easiest parts to find. The pickup surrounds will be harder to find. Anyway, the hunt can be fun. Good luck to you man

[scotty]

Welcome Paul from a snowy Glasgow! Well actually its sleet( i can hear the others groan Oh no not another one! )
Heres a wee link for ya! UK based.http://www.ricsrus.com/Pickguards.html
http://www.ricsrus.com/rickyspares.html
also ask the forum members! they may be willing to sell or trade?

[kiramdear]

Now, keep your voice down, Scotty! People are trying to read here.

What's this now? Snow and sleet? Maybe it's time to answer an ageless question: What's worn ... ah, never mind.

Welcome to the forum Paul!

[winston]

Welcome Paul,

Never mind Scotty..........misery wants company. He been in dire need of a few more friends who can understand his wit.

Just kidding of course. He keeps us fit because he makes us laugh so much.

[thx1955]

Hello Paul,
Welcome to the Forum, always happy to see another Scot here.

I'm originally from Gourock, bought my first Ric in 1973 from McCormacks in Glasgow, been playing them ever since !!

Scotty, do you remember Burn's Howff ... did a lot of good playing, and drinking there.

If you (you too Scotty) ever need help getting a Ric from the US over to the UK let me know, I'd be happy to assist.

[paologregorio]

Hi Paul,

Welcome to the forum!

Cheers!

(From another)Paul

[bassmekanik]

Cheers folks. Glad theres a couple of "locals" near to me too

Cant believe i missed the marketplace bit, i thought it was weird i couldnt find the "For Sale" section......teach me to drink and read forum stuff late at night....

Scott, i almost made it to Glasgow today to check out sound control for any goodies they might have, but the snow put me off the long drive.....maybe the weekend or early next week. I believe there are another 2 guitar shops close by to sound control also? Glasgow's not a city i know particularly well tbh.

i`ll be hunting for a little while as i`m not in too much of a hurry, and i`ll put up a wanted ad and keep an eye open for any forum members selling a nice item that would suit my black moods

i`ve been thinking on the whole make it custom but it scares me to start taking something like a Ric to bits and expecting it to be nice afterwards.

Thanks for the offer Jim, you never know, you may have a taker for that help sometime.

[thx1955]

Paul,
Just let me know, I've probably sent 8-9 Rics to the UK over the years.

[rickenbrother]

Welcome to the forum, Paul!

[scotty]

Thanks for your kindness Jim!Cheers mate i live in milingavie and my mums BF lives in largs not that far from Gourock! infact was down there on sunday! anyway cheers mate!
Paul im so not into sound control thay have ZERO rics in stock ! Anyway
check out http://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/glasgow_shop.asp plenty always in they have about 10 ric guitars in stock i didnt check out the bass`s when i was there on Friday but they are really good to deal with.
just tell em Scott sent ya! i know all the guys they are a good laugh!
soun controll is a nono!
its a good idea to give them a check cause they can be a bit slow updating the webpage also they just got in some really tasty guitars so im sure thay musy have some bass`s in stock on the webpage its just showing 3 4003 lefties.Give them a ring?

[bassmekanik]

cheers lads. hopefully my search has "almost" come to an end very quickly.

Managed to track down a blackstar and shadow in the same shop. Just waiting for pics to be sent of both before deciding which is the better buy. The shadow is better quality but they are both of the same price so i guess the blackstar it may well be.

now to persuade the missus that i really need another bass. May have to sell my FG to compensate, but it`ll be worth it.

Is there anyone on here local to New Jersey?