Got the go ahead from my wife to use tax return for 4th Ric.

[armybass]

Mine was a reproduction made as an Anniversary Model by Steve Azola and was the prototype to the one he sold for some time....or so I am told.

[jps]

Tha't even better, to have an early Azola. Have you seen his custom Jazz Bass with a 4005 neck?

[armybass]

Yeah Steve is a big Rickenbacker fan like most guys oour age. I have spoken to him a few times and he is just a great guy. If you ever want to talk about the tonal possibilites of swamp ash....he is your man. Wish I still had that bass.

But now I am totally geeked out about this Fretless Ric. I have never had one or even seen one in real life. It has black tape wound strings on it now but I am excited about trying out other string options. I think this may be my TI flats bass. I have LaBella flats on my 2012 FG 4003. So this may be the TI flats Ric.

[rickenbrother]

Nice, congrats! JETGLO ROCKS in fretless too!

[armybass]

ahhhh, UPS says expected delivery date of 12/27/12. Gonna be a wonderful late Christmas gift! I cannot wait. It has black tapewound strings on it now....not a fan... but I think I am gonna give em a try and see how they sound. If I am not digging the nylon strings I will probably put some TI Flats on it.

[woodyng]

I love tapewounds on a rosewood fretboard,but could see where they *might* be a bit too clacky on a fretless Ric bass. I bet with some the treble rolled off,and favoring the neck pickup,it could sound very upright-bass-ish. I would give it whirl!

[armybass]

I do intend to give them a fair shake. I have heard that they can cop a really good URB tone. But I ordered some Rotosound 77's too. Never tried the 77's so this is my first time.

[jps]

I tried nylon tapewounds once, on my second fretless Zon. IIRC, the tone was full and bright with a clicky sort of high end but the B string and to some extent the E string had a bit if a warbly sound to them with an ill defined fundamental to the notes. I kept them on for a long time hoping things would settle down but that did not happen. For me, TI Jazz Flats and D'Addario Chromes are home when it comes to good flatwound strings. The Chromes are a bit brighter but rolling off the tone control works fine if I need to loose the high end a bit. Both of those strings feel nicer, too; I remember the tapewounds felt like playing against rubber bands, smooth but with a little stickiness to them.

[xBunnyHero]

It depends........how nuch $ are you getting back??????

Personally, I would go for an older 4001. I currently own one, have had two, and LOVE them!!!!

There is a '73 4001 in Azureglo. in beautiful shape at Nationwideguitars.com
It's been sitting there waiting for someone for quite a while. I would LOVE to have it, but, it's right-handed.

You righties REALLY make me jealous!!!!

I would also reccomend a V63----they are great basses!!!!!!!!

Best of luck, and happy shopping!!!!

Lefty4003s8





Do not drink from the toilet when taking Lyrica

Sorry to revive a very old thread. I'm doing so because you are the kind person that directed me to that lovely 1973 4001 Azureglo back in January when I first read your post. I want to thank you because, as of this past June, I am the "someone" you mentioned that it was waiting for.