My First Rick Experience

[Snowglo]

Let's rewind the clock to spring of 83. I was a junior in HS, and was an inspiring bass player who just a couple years earlier heard Rush for the first time. Cygnus X-1 to be specific. Instant addict of not only Rush, but that distinctive Rick tone.

So, my best bud, neighbor, and guitarist in our ****** 80's band found some local dude who was selling an early 70's 4001. This dude was probably in his late 20's, and seemed to be a pretty alright guy. He opened the case and my bud and I were stunned by the insane AzureGlo color. I swear I heard angels sing. IIRC, dude only wanted $400-$500 for the instrument. Mere pocket chance for a HS student......whatever. I told dude that I will ask my parents to front me the funds knowing I had an after school job and could pay them back fairly quickly. My friend and I were on our way out the door to begin begging for funds, when dude asked if I wanted to take the bass with me! What?!?! He was totally cool with the fact he didn't know who we were, didn't want my address, or even my driver's license number. Nothing. I had a week to bring him the bass, or money.

Needless to say, my parents told me nicely to "pack sand skinny boy", and I returned the bass a week later as promised.

Truly one of the greatest weeks of my life. Everyone seemed amazed when I played it during stage band rehearsals at school. I wasnt such of a "band geek" with that bass.

I keep telling myself that someday I will own a 70's AzureGlo 4001. Someday.......

[bassduke49]

Hmm. How much money do you have NOW?

[Kiddwad57]

Azureglo rocks! First Ric I got to play was that color as well, at Don's Musicland in Peoria, Illinois. Must have been in '76.

[Snowglo]

Hmm. How much money do you have NOW?

Azure4001web.jpg

Azure4001bodyweb.jpg

Definitely not enough for that beauty!

[bassduke49]

Well, you could always make me an offer!

[Isaac]

Well, you could always make me an offer!

That's a beauty!

<Checks pockets>

Will you take $8.37?

[wim]

I will give you ten times more than Isaac

ten times more!

[Colonel Sanders]

My first pseudo Rick experience was through a Mann copy in 82. Then I got an Ibanez copy in 84.

Fast forward to 2000, I got my first real 4001, a 76 Burgundyglo I got for pocket money.

[edski]

Well, you could always make me an offer!

That's a beauty!

<Checks pockets>

Will you take $8.37?

Welcome to the RRF! Somewhat sad story, but keep looking, maybe horse trade if you have some other good basses...a new 4003s is about $1300 - that's s pretty strong deal in my eyes. The vintage/near-vintage Ricks are good/great, but the new ones are very consistently very good or better.

[bassduke49]

Well, you could always make me an offer!

That's a beauty!

<Checks pockets>

Will you take $8.37?

Mmm . . . I'd take that and quite a bit more.

[bassduke49]

I will give you ten times more than Isaac

ten times more!

Really? Hmm. No, keep going . . . .

[cheyenne]

Beautiful bass Paul, I didnt know you had that one. '71-'72-'73?

[Snowglo]

Hmm. How much money do you have NOW?

Azure4001web.jpg

Azure4001bodyweb.jpg

IIRC, this bass is a refin. Damn cool one if I must say. I like the color almost better than AzureGlo. I have a 2013 3003 midnight blue with a goofy neck that I will trade plus a huge wad of cash on your end however, you have to include an autographed copy of your book.

[jps]

I have a 2013 3003 midnight blue...

We'd all love to see a photo of that bass!

[bassduke49]

I have a 2013 3003 midnight blue...

We'd all love to see a photo of that bass!

Yeah, those 3003 models are rarer than hen's teeth!

The blue one is a custom refin of a '72 by Larry Davis. I've not really played it, and I'll need to do a setup on it as people have pointed out that the bridge doesn't appear to be setup for typical intonation.