Isnt it Ironic?

[rickenbrother]

Here's Dane's Cii (3rd from left) as it was at the NAMM show. Looking at the type and direction of the figure in the wood and the shading of the Fireglo shows it's the Cii that Dane has:




Mine was from NAMM '09:

[aceonbass]

Yep, that's the one I have. I've also got original pics from where the bass was sent to compare with, so I know it's it. No "oops" about it. This bass has the best looking maple of any RIC bass I've seen. It's my go to bass right now in the classic/power pop band I'm in too. After 30+ years of playing 4-string, I'm playing 5-string exclusively, and this bass just does it for me...even with flats. I was just playing it and noticed the neck had completely flattened out since my last adjustment. I checked the truss rods and the bass side was barely finger tight with not much more tension on the treble side rod. These two-piece necks are the shizznet! I know RIC will come out with another 5-string with new pickups, but I'm sure it will have a wider neck. That's too bad, because they could have done a new 5ver on this platform without even coming up with a new pickup. Although I would prefer 3 tuners on top and 2 on the bottom like RIC did, without cutting the headstock wings off, building a new headstock, and refinishong it, this is the best solution. All of the tuner knobs clear each other with room to spare, and they are WAY better than the Schaller M4's with a 22:1 ratio.

[ram]

Man, there is some sweet grain on those basses!

[Seans]

and perfect for the Gold hardware.

[henry5]

I'm absolutely loving that Mapleglo.

You know, I was never previously that keen on the 4004; I used to think it was to the 4001/3 what quilt-fronted Sadowskys are to Fenders (the two aesthetics don't sit together IMO) but they're really starting to grow on me.

Given they're lighter than a 4001/3 but have a wider neck with the same headstock et al, are these not somewhat neck heavy?

[aceonbass]

Given they're lighter than a 4001/3 but have a wider neck with the same headstock et al, are these not somewhat neck heavy?

Not at all. In fact they now share their neck blanks with 4003's, so they may even be lighter.

[Seans]

I'm absolutely loving that Mapleglo.

You know, I was never previously that keen on the 4004; I used to think it was to the 4001/3 what quilt-fronted Sadowskys are to Fenders (the two aesthetics don't sit together IMO) but they're really starting to grow on me.

Given they're lighter than a 4001/3 but have a wider neck with the same headstock et al, are these not somewhat neck heavy?

+1, that Mapleglow is superb and the Walnut Wings, just Wow.

[rickenbrother]

I have not experienced any neck heaviness with a Cii. With it's light weight and a nice wide strap, I can play standing up for hours without shoulder discomfort.

[cassius987]

Given they're lighter than a 4001/3 but have a wider neck with the same headstock et al, are these not somewhat neck heavy?

Not the ones I have played. All made post-2008, I think six or seven examples, all at Wildwood Guitars.

The necks do vary though, some I played were wide and some were not. Now that they share necks with the 4003 (I think this is a good move as the new 4003 neck is perfect in my hands) I think they won't vary as much with time.

[rickenbrother]

If I could find a local So Cal guitar repairman that could route my FG Cii for a 3rd pickup in the LK bridge position, I'd add the 3rd pickup as it would look in this picture. So far all them take one look at it and say that it looks so pretty they're afraid of messing it up!

[henry5]

I know a man who could & would do that. Wrong side of the pond though.....

Re the neck-heaviness thing, the reason I asked is because I never thought of any Rics as neck heavy up until recently. I have a trapped nerve in my left shoulder and currently also have supraspinatus tendonitis and rotator cuff injuries which I'm having (so far unsuccessful) treatment for. I tried rehearsing wearing my old Ric last week for the first time since the injuries and it was, in a word, agony. I'm hoping it gets better with time.

However I noticed how much better it was when I used my perfectly balanced Sei Flamboyant 5, which is a similar weight. Still not wonderful but far, far better. Of course those with no shoulder/back/neck issues probably wouldn't notice; previously I've always thought my 4001 balanced really well, but it was quite obvious that there was actually, despite appearances, a lot of weight in the neck. I was really aware of how much pressure it was putting on my whole shoulder area. I'm really hoping my shoulders get better soon seeing as I recently bought another '72 (which arrives tomorrow), and even more so since I've provisionally sold the Sei to help pay for it. I really hope that doesn't turn out to be a big mistake!

So, intrigued by the 4004s....

[berth]

Re the neck-heaviness thing, the reason I asked is because I never thought of any Rics as neck heavy up until recently. I have a trapped nerve in my left shoulder and currently also have supraspinatus tendonitis and rotator cuff injuries which I'm having (so far unsuccessful) treatment for. I tried rehearsing wearing my old Ric last week for the first time since the injuries and it was, in a word, agony. I'm hoping it gets better with time. .

You can achieve a lot with good wide (comfort) straps. Some of them are elastic a little so they even out the tension. I read this helps. (I am happy with my couch straps however.)

[Seans]

If you're talking 4001's, I had not thought there could be such a difference in weight between my newly purchased early 72 and my rock standard 79, the 72 is almost too light, it's thin, thin and thin, mind I have gigged a 4080 in the past.

[jps]

If I could find a local So Cal guitar repairman that could route my FG Cii for a 3rd pickup in the LK bridge position, I'd add the 3rd pickup as it would look in this picture.

How about sending it up north a bit. Or, won't he touch it, too?

[henry5]

Re the neck-heaviness thing, the reason I asked is because I never thought of any Rics as neck heavy up until recently. I have a trapped nerve in my left shoulder and currently also have supraspinatus tendonitis and rotator cuff injuries which I'm having (so far unsuccessful) treatment for. I tried rehearsing wearing my old Ric last week for the first time since the injuries and it was, in a word, agony. I'm hoping it gets better with time. .

You can achieve a lot with good wide (comfort) straps. Some of them are elastic a little so they even out the tension. I read this helps. (I am happy with my couch straps however.)

Hi Bert,
Tried nearly all of them. Had a Comfort Strapp for years, no good. Got an Overwater one too, no good either. The nerve is causing pain through my clavicle and the wider the strap (ironically) the worse it currently is.