Straw poll - gig them or not?

[philipharris]

I'm lucky enough to have a few quite nice Rickies. In particular, in addition to my trusty pair of 4003s I've got a slightly modded (but now reunited with proper bits) 4002. After spending half the day wrestling the neck into place and finally finding it a joy to play, I nearly gigged it on Saturday, but wimped out at the last minute, knowing my standard gig garb - a heavily-zipped motorcycle jacket - + the low ceiling vrtually guaranteed some roadwear however much care I took. Our show is quite physical and there is plenty of opportunity for collisions, snagging etc - even if I trade in the jacket for something less zippy.

But afterwards I got to thinking, what's the point of these fantastic tools and the unique sound of a 4002 if you don't use them?

So, what would you do - a) gig it and enjoy it, letting the dings (and value) fall where they will b) put it back in its nice safe box and occasionally stare at it longingly, or c) just play it at home in a padded risk-assessed environment?

I feel myself being drawn to a) at least as a spare....

[coolhandjjl]

I went through a similar situation in my profession. I am a pro photographer, and had begun acquiring expensive and rare Zeiss and Leica lenses. Superior quality? You bet! Capable of producing superior results? Only if they were in my bag. These things were so expensive, many irreplaceable, I was afraid to expose them to the rigors of an ordinary production. They always stayed in my studio awaiting that 'special' shoot. I eventually sold them, hopefully to someone who would use them.

[2ndHand72Rick]

PLAY IT!!!!!

[woodyng]

i felt the same way about my '68 epiphone embassy bass....i just did not want to be the person who finally snapped the neck on it,so i sold it,although it was probably one of the best sounding,best playing bass guitars i have ever owned. my 4002 was pretty beat up,but solid as a tank,so i played out with it pretty regularly without any worries.

[jdogric12]

I now own Woody's old 4002, so I take it out and use it too. It's insured though!

[gareth]

I gig them all regardless......

[rickaddict]

I'm all for gigging everything you've got.

Could you maybe play the 4002 without the heavily-zippered motorcycle jacket?

I mean...since you seem concerned about gigging with it, maybe you could find a way to gig it a little more gently than usual...

[rickenbrother]

PLAY IT!!!!!

+1!
That's what they are made for. Just use reasonable care when handing your Ricks and always be wary of some creeps that might want to snatch it if you're not looking.

[ken_j]

a) gig it and enjoy it, letting the dings (and value) fall where they will. Play it

[cjj]

PLAY IT!!!!!

+1!
That's what they are made for. Just use reasonable care when handing your Ricks and always be wary of some creeps that might want to snatch it if you're not looking.

+2!
Of course, if you're worried that the way you dress/play will cause damage to you bass, change how you dress/play. Unless, of course, you're under contract to always wear leather jackets with lots of zippers/studs/chains. It's not impossible to gig 'em and take care of 'em...

[berth]

I love playing my 4005 and my '73's at home. They also go with me to bandpractice on rotation basis (with the rest of my Rick's), but only when I am with a car and in a case. When I'm on my bicycle with a gig bag I will not take these. Concert's I will not do with these. But then again, the '86 4003 MID/BT still is my favorite so it does not hurt to take that one with me.

[2112]

Play them.
You live once.
Play your next gig like it's your last one.
Play the bass that makes you sound the best.
They were meant to be played.

[coolingitdown]

Play them, but don't be reckless about it.

Are you going to hit a cymbal with your headstock every now and again? Sure, it may happen. But as long as your careful with your instruments (and I don't mean overprotective here; just use some common sense and remember that it's an expensive/valuable instrument), they should retain their looks and value for many years to come.

[aceonbass]

I would normally say gig the bass, but you're apparently not willing to compromise your performance to protect a bass worth north of 5 grand. So I would say to play one of your 4003's. If you were a demolition derby driver, would you take your 65 Z-16 Chevelle to work? No of course not, and there were 201 of those made to the 4002's approximately 100 production count.

[antipodean]

If you are conflicted about playing the 4002 in a vigorous gig scenario then don't do it now - you'll be so worried about the bass that you can't help but be at less than 100% in terms of your concentration - not great for your bandmates or the audience.

In order to become more comfortable with the idea of using the bass at a gig I'd recommend that you make it your main bass for practice and rehearsals - the more you use it, the more comfortable you'll be with it and the less you are likely to worry about it. At some point, you'll be happy to gig it.

...and follow Jdog's example and insure that great instrument if you haven't already!