Model of the Week three: 4001S and RM1999

[gellkeller]

What year is that, Brett?

November 1964

[jps]

Thanks!

[teeder]

Reviving and old post here.

At Gilfest II, I had the pleasure of playing Ron's 1964 RM1999 and one of the first things that made an impression on me was how thick the fretboard was. I don't think I've ever seen a board that thick! Are all RM's like this? That has got to have some effect on the tone of these.

[wints]

Reviving and old post here.

At Gilfest II, I had the pleasure of playing Ron's 1964 RM1999 and one of the first things that made an impression on me was how thick the fretboard was. I don't think I've ever seen a board that thick! Are all RM's like this? That has got to have some effect on the tone of these.

They do seem thicker than most Kev. By the late 60's they have thinned out considerably. How about the Gibb bass where the fretboard is nearly as wide as the neck...

[pag]

Hi Kevin,hi Andy,
Thats the big difference between the RM and modern Ricks including the Vintage reissues.(plus the volute at the headstock which the early basses dont have of course)
As you can see in the photo and having owned that bass I can confirm that the board is almost thicker than the maple behind it.
How that translated in terms of stability for some RMs is probably another issue that may have led to some name players moving on to Fenders etc.but this bass has remained true in the face of the hammering I gave it thank goodness.
I loved the feel of the neck on that particular bass and I dont think I have played one quite like it since then and although my CS has a great neck its a different profile from the one here.
I think the bottom of the fretboard was about level with the top of the body at the joint and I think the modern bass has the maple neck rising above the level of the top of the body.
All this must create a difference in tone between old and new basses and regardless of pickups it is still the tone of the wood that makes the bass for me at any rate.
When I mentioned an RM replica this is the devil in the detail that I was getting at.

[sloop_john_b]

Thanks for that pic Andy - that visual is forever burned in my mind. I couldn't believe how fat the fretboard was.

[wints]

Pete,

Good to hear from you as always...Here's a couple more photo's, showing the neck/board contrast. You're right Pete, the bottom of the board is practically level with the body at the joint.



It's hard to imagine RIC making a bass exactly like this again today. Neck profiles this thin, along with virtually no headstock angle make it almost a miracle this bass has survived with no problems. I'll give plenty of credit to the former owners for this...

[wings012345]

My Lefty 1982. Set neck. Plays like a dream. And man she growls. Almost like Paul's

[teeder]

Thanks Andy and Pete!

That side shot shows the same purple'ish hue that the board on Ron's bass has.

[pag]

Andy,
Dont give me too much credit for the stability of the Gibb bass neck,
I used to bend it for vibrato in the new wave punk band I was in when I owned it!

If I donate all my vital organs and throw in the crown jewels can I buy it back?

[teeder]

You've got a crown on your jewels? That's got to be uncomfortable!

[wints]

Andy,
Dont give me too much credit for the stability of the Gibb bass neck,
I used to bend it for vibrato in the new wave punk band I was in when I owned it!

If I donate all my vital organs and throw in the crown jewels can I buy it back?

That might leave you in a bit of trouble Pete...
I used to vibrato it as well in the early days, funnily enough, so it really is a special piece of maple there.

Here's DE 554 for reference as well...

[johnallg]

So is bubinga that much more expensive than maple?

[SquireFan91]

So many beautiful basses, my mind, it is blown! Seriously though, I'm amazed at the condition some of these are in, just pristine. Truth be told, this is my dream bass. Not the V-63, or the Chris Squire Signature, the real deal. The only thing keeping me from waiting a while longer (and maybe selling a few of my less cherished organs) to get one is all the horror stories about the neck that I've heard. Also, altering such a rare and collectable bass in any way (such as re-wiring for stereo, staining the fretboard or having a slightly different inlay done, all of which I'd want to do) would seem a bit of a crime to me at this point. I've always loved the look of the stripped down RM1999 best though. Sadly, I fear that even obtaining my approximation of one becomes less likely as prices seem to rise with each passing day. Oh well, I can at least enjoy looking at them here.

[pag]

I will be selling this bass soon if thats a bit closer to an RM.
Its 4001CS that I had refinned in white to look like the RM.
I have the certificate and the original guard.
Its not used much and other purchases are needed.
It will be going on the for sale section as soon as I sort out better pics.