Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hey Brian, hijack time! Didja get your BB1200 yet? Figured I'd hear a glowing review by now! And a s/n for the research Department.

Not yet. It is scheduled for delivery on Thursday. It sat in a UPS warehouse all weekend, but it appears to be on the move. Don't worry. I'll let you know as soon as I receive it and I will provide you the serial number. I'm getting excited, considering this really wasn't a planned purchase. Here's a picture from ebay of her.

Hey Fran! I'm a moron. The serial number was in the auction description. I just found it. Serial # 034775

Hi, my name is Brian...duh!

You may need to double check that number when it arrives. It's stamped in the back of the headstock . Doesn't quite fit the plan. Should start with two 00's. Maybe the seller meant 003475? No biggie though. You're gonna love it!

Here’s a few Macca Rick flicks:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lU2LgERlaLs&mode=related&search=


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPJ9b6YJdKc

How long before Youtube is shutdown for copyright violations, I wonder.

Steve Gadd is one of the best drummers going, very musical and has chops enough for ten drummers and knows when and when not to use them. Listen to the song AJA sometime by Steely Dan on the AJA album, phenomenal drumming. Another great one he played one was Fifty Ways To Leave Your Lover, Paul Simon.

It is great seeing Ringo and Paul together - such history. Paul makes that 4001 sound fretless, too.

Huge McCartney fan here, but listening to stuff like "... Bad boy" really shows how much he changed his style to not sound 'Beatle-ish". The song style just up to his previous standards.

I'd rather he sound like the Beatles... I understand why he wanted the departure though.

Fran,

I received the BB1200 today. It came to my office, so I haven't plugged it in yet. On first look it is bigger than I thought. The balance seems good though. I will plug her in tonight and give her a whirl. I will get back to you.

We'll both be waiting for your impressions, Brian.

I'll be waiting! I'm sure you'll like the sound. Depending on it's current set up and strings of course. I tried a bunch of strings on mine and settled on the old standby D'Addario XL 165s. I imagine Macca used flats on his, but I haven't tried any yet.

I am in the process of dubbing a ton of VHS tapes to DVD, and ran across a Paul McCartney special called "Put it There". In the special they show Elvis and Paul demoing the song "My Brave Face", and Paul is playing his Wings Rickenbacker.
Then he tells the story about how the Hofner won't stay in tune and all it's faults but Elvis convinced him to use it again.

Ok Fran, first things first. The serial number is 034775. Only one 0 stamped on the headstock.

The sound quality is very good. The bass has a very sleek design IMO. It is well-made and sturdy for what I think is a big bass. It is just bigger and bulkier than I had thought. But it really has great balance. I love the shape. At first glance it has a Fender look, but plays nothing like a Fender. In fact after tuning and cleaning her up she really is a good looking bass. Better looking than my Fender's. The neck-through construction makes for easy playing all the way up the neck. And of course the neck through construction allows for great sustain. (Sound familiar?) Frets look good. Strings could need replacing. Without having given her a good play through, the BB1200 appears to be a good quality bass.

The case was big as well, a ton of plush padding. How they came up with that ugly green I'll never know, but it was a very strong case. I'm debating sending it to Paul W. to give her a refinish. He has two of mine already and 1 on the way shortly, so I'll think it over. It isn't in bad shape, she just has a few miles on her.

Overall, I don't think I could expect anymore for $400. I think it was a good investment. Thanks again John for turning me on to her.

Fran, can you tell me what year she was manufactured?