Forumite Rickenbacker Fretless Bass Guitar Count

[FretlessOnly]

I think it does add some brightness, but I think it also:

1. Contributes to "clack" when hammering-on and pizzicato playing; and
2. Reduces woodiness.

I may well take on the project of removing the fingerboard varnish on my 4003FL, but I'd need to know how best to do it without damaging the fingerboard dots (would they even stay in without varnish?) and getting all of that varnish away without compromising the thickness of the board.

Maybe I could just buy a set of Rotosound wounds and play them like mad for 20 years. I'm not sure I have that long, however.

[ajish4]

I have a T-40 that my luthier removed the gloss off the fingerboard and I love it. It's a Rosewood neck, but the ONLY problem I now have is I have to apply Tung Oil frequently to keep the fingerboard in shape. It dries up very quickly. In the past, I've had it applied professionally, but now I'm thinking I should do it myself. I have the stuff, but I'm not too sure how to apply it.

I DO get a beautiful WOODY tone, much more natural than I would have thought. I use TI's on it, because being Rosewood, any roundwound would eat it up quickly.

[Rickenhands]

One. Dec. '72 FL MG

Paul - This is one of the most glorious things I've seen--ever!

[paul_yan]

Thank you, John!

[ajish4]

Well,

I found a FEW shots of some of my other FL's....

[Jim Dandy]

Tony - nice looking basses. If you don't mind me asking, what year was the Monty and how big was the neck profile?

[ajish4]

Tony - nice looking basses. If you don't mind me asking, what year was the Monty and how big was the neck profile?

I don't mind at all Carl!

It was a 2005, and the REASON I sold it was the neck was thicker than a Pbass neck...it was the FATTEST neck on any of the over 45 RIC's I've owned. I also had 3 other 2005 4003's that suffered the same fate. 2005 was a year for meaty, chunky necks.

My 2006 4003 Monty however, has a much more comfortable profile. NOT as thin as the C64 profile, but very comfy.

[T.A.R.]

+1 on Joeys comment the '72MGFL is gorgeous!

[FretlessOnly]

Well as usual, I'm a little late to this party.
Here's my '81 4001S/FL which has been posted all over the forum. It's only 1 of 2 S Fretlesses I'm aware of, the other being a 4003S belonging to Jeff Thomas.

Looks like there's a third:

http://cgi.ebay.com/91-RICKENBACKER-400 ... 45f6637f7e

[byu]

Well there are now 3 known to the forum. Hope a forumite snags it.

[FretlessOnly]

I think the wood grain on the bass I posted looks rather plain. Not that I'm casting any dispersions on it, because everything else seems in order, but it doesn't look like typical RIC maple to me. Maybe it's just the angle of the photos.

[Low End Lover]

Time to be counted. Got my '08 4003FL setup this weekend. A BIG thanks to Cassius for the '76 HiGain in the bridge position and iiipopes for helping me get this thing just right. I'll save the story of iiipopes and I getting that HiGain in and working for another post. Let's just say it involved a razor blade and a purple Advent candle! That man is a genius and a very nice guy. I also got to play his '81 4002 and his 360/12 WB (checkboard) and all I can say is double wow! Alright, the unveiling...





Now, I just need to learn to play it!

LEL

[jps]

Nice maple on that, Jason. Reminds me of my former 4003FL.

[FretlessOnly]

Seriously Jeff; why did you ever part company with that one?

[Low End Lover]

Nice maple on that, Jason. Reminds me of my former 4003FL.

Very nice, Jeff! I almost went to check my case to make sure it was still there! I am going to have to try a Toaster in the bridge someday to compare it to my setup, but I am loving what I have right now. So uprightish!

LEL