Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

jwr2 wrote:

2112 wrote:

TomPettyandHeartbreakersFan wrote:What does anyone think happened to Entwistle's RM1999? He said it was the second RM exported to the UK, which I think would give it a DA serial number...

I thought that I read somewhere on this site that his RM had a severly warped or bowed neck and it was unplayable.

My old 68 had a bowed unplayable neck and a simple correct truss rod adjustment made it playable for over 30 years

Oh, I hear you there. I just thought that is what I read somewhere on this site.
Maybe he just wanted to play a different bass and that was the excuse.

Just listened to "My Wife" about an hour ago.
It sucks that The Ox is gone.

Entwistle was one of the first bass players to use Rotosounds,and I certainly wouldn't be surprised if they were the reason for the neck warp.

Factor in he's a teenager, isn't too bothered, and has no one close who has a clue how to adjust this bass, and that's the end of the road. It's unusual to see a RM 1999 that has not had a neck problem. Going back over the thread, many examples have. As we have mentioned before, there are necks that could take the tension, and others, that sadly, could not.

Very interesting thread. I've read it all but haven't chimed in as I didn't feel like I had anything useful to offer.

I'm glad to see Scott and Vince shake cyber hands and put the past behind them. High fives to you both. Sometimes I'd like to be able to retract a statement myself!

I really enjoyed the Who videos too. In the first one, as John walks down the stairs, he walks past what appears to be a Deluxe 4001 in Burgundy from around 1970 to early '72. I don't remember ever seeing him play that one. I wonder if it was a 21 fretter?

Here's another great Who (then calling themselves the High Numbers) video from 1964 featuring John's 1999:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=hflF6YCsqbs

Enjoy!

Note John's selector switch position. (Up)

LONG LIVE YouTube!!

That's possibly the best footage I've seen of the Ent bass.

Yup, that HS had lost it's charge already!

Thanks Jeff!

No prob, Andy. Glad I could contribute something to the thread!

Maybe the Ox didn't care for the bass cut cap!

This thread just keeps getting better and better. Learning so much about all the early 4001 basses. I thank all who are sharing their knowledge.

And kudos to Vince and Scott. Maybe time to rotate that MG off the bottom of the stack?

that footage was GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This has really turned out to be a great thread guys!
Andy and Vincent,its a pleasure to be here with you.

I remember well the Guitar Trader flyers that I used to get in the post from the States in the late 70s.
I cant remember what happened to them all but I do recall several 60s 4000 basses cropping up in the few years I was on their mailing list.
I never managed to get to California Guitar I am afraid and even the Laker Airways flights were a bit dear just for a quick visit in those days.

I think a few definitive digital shots of your mint RM would go down a treat right now Vincent!
Perhaps its time we started a whole section devoted to the RM.

Maybe it was the camera or just my eyes, but I didn't see a finger rest or the holes for one in that last video.

It is there, just hard to make out given the video quality.

I think Jeff's right. The film quality and the fact that its clear make it pretty hard to see. There's a short stretch in the beginning of the second song where you can see it.

I dig Roger's shades!

It can be seen clearly at 4:35.

Hmm, I see a shadow at 4:35, but then watch it from around 4:59 through 5:13. It seems to be gone even though the angles and lighting change.
It must be me.

Its not just you. Its a tough video to really make out any details on. Must be the lighting or something. For much of the video it looks like John's 1999 has no strings or pick guard screws either.

He didn't need no stinkin' strings!