25 year old infatuation becomes full blown passion

[armybass]

Geddy started it when I was twelve and Mike Mills and Mike Meseros cemented it when I was 17... my swooning over the 4001/4003 Rickenbacker bass. I was able to get my own 4001 at 17 and a new 4003 when I was 18 but let them go thinking more would easily come my way. Through years and years of bass trading and gear whoring it wasnt until I was 30 before the next Ric came into my life but I was a young soldier and new family man and things had to be sold to pay bills ect.... Then you have to advance another 12 years to today where I find myself with three 4003's and hunting for my next. Never thought I would be in this position and I am thrilled. Rics have always been hard to find and they still spark that magical feeling inside when I see them....even mine. I am glad Mr. Hall and Rickenbacker have kept the Rickenbacker brand pure and not flooded the market with off shore cheapies and maintained the quality and reputation of the one instrument that has always been special to me....a man who has owned many many many bass guitars in 42 short years.

Thanks to Mr. Hall and Rickenbacker for keeping my dreams and love affair with this American classic alive through their dedication for so, so many years.

[fran4001]

love it! And my 4 babies too...

[spongebob]

Nice story Scott!

It's very true, there's nothing like a Ric.

[woodyng]

Me too,Scott,except it was 1968,i was 16, and started hearing Yes's version of the Beatles song "every little thing". That song/band blew me away in every aspect,but the bass sound was unlike anything i had ever heard,and that was the beginning of a lifetime infatuation with these fine basses. I've managed to own 8 different Ric basses (and one 6 string Ric) over the years,and they are still my favorite bass guitar.

[armybass]

What Yes album is that off of?

[fran4001]

The first album "Yes" from mid '69.

[armybass]

The first album "Yes" from mid '69.

Aghhhhhh....I almost purchased that off of iTunes this morning....will have to get it after work!

[woodyng]

That album is still one of my favorites,and that cut is just phenomonal. Yes did several cover songs on this and their 2nd LP,"time and a word",and they always changed them in radical ways. Their version of a Richie Havens song on the 2nd lp is another great example of how they did that,as well as another steaming bass track from Chris. (altho,i believe that track was recorded with a Fender Telecaster bass)

[RickyBubba]

. Their version of a Richie Havens song on the 2nd lp is another great example of how they did that,as well as another steaming bass track from Chris. (altho,i believe that track was recorded with a Fender Telecaster bass)

A "sin" that can be forgiven!

[spongebob]

. Their version of a Richie Havens song on the 2nd lp is another great example of how they did that,as well as another steaming bass track from Chris. (altho,i believe that track was recorded with a Fender Telecaster bass)

A "sin" that can be forgiven!

Although the version on the 'BBC Sessions' sounds pure Ric to me!

Saying that, I always thought the album was as well......

[armybass]

I always see references to 'BBC Sessions'....what does that mean?

[woodyng]

Its another Pete Banks era album of Yes playing live on BBC Radio. There is some brilliant stuff on there.
Yeah,on the live recording,it could be Chris plays the Ric,that might be hard to substantiate. The studio recording sound like a thumpy Fender to me. You could compare the tone to another song off that album "sweet dreams",which has that same sound.
I enjoy hearing Chris playing different axes,but i do think his style and tone is exemplified by the Ric.

[s4001]

I'm with you, Scott. Geddy and Chris were definitely big influences but I also really got into Mike's playing on the early REM albums.

[johnallg]

That album is still one of my favorites,and that cut is just phenomonal. Yes did several cover songs on this and their 2nd LP,"time and a word",and they always changed them in radical ways. Their version of a Richie Havens song on the 2nd lp is another great example of how they did that,as well as another steaming bass track from Chris. (altho,i believe that track was recorded with a Fender Telecaster bass)

I really like the first two Yes albums also. Really different structure from the later Prog albums but still pure Yes. What they do with covers and how well they make it their own is inspiring. And they have Peter Banks on them too. Liked his work with them.

[spongebob]

BBC Sessions on cheap on download in the US - the CD version is about twice the price!

http://www.amazon.com/The-BBC-Recording ... ds=yes+bbc

....and if your interested in the Peter Banks era, there's an hour-ish interview programme on Youtube, 'The Peter Banks Story'. Goes into detail about his Yes-era, etc, and how he threw a Rickenbacker at the producer of 'Time And A Word'!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Sjxnnx-jqU

Enjoy!