Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Wow, thanks os much for the detailed info.
I'm pretty verbose, but am running outta things to say about the Laredo I just bought. Played some Chaka Khan with it already this AM, and OMG-
When the inventors of Rhythm & BLues and Funky pocket music had their convention many years back in the early 50's prolly-- I think they said--
"Someday--Someday there will be a Model 4004 Rickenbacker which will exemplify the BOTTOM that will be needed for the most important part of the pocket R&B Rhythm Section- the Bass- Someday- there will be such an instrument..."

So here it is. Well, I'm certain the '04's lend themselves to any genre, but I gotta say- to NAIL the sound of R&B like it does- it's a synergy of the pups, the neck-thru, the woods-
1 toggle switch, 2 knobs. I'm not an electrical engineer, but I'm happy that Rickenbacker is- those Humbuckers are crazy good.

Production-wise I guess it's like anything- Thye take stock of Sales Order at Factory, then run a build production, and certainly on the Bass side the 4003 are the stars, not to mention that they have to build those weird skinny-string thingies
(what are they called again?? "gee-tars"??) I kid, I kid.

So I can see how th '04s take a back-seat, maybe especially the 1st-Cabin Cheyenne Cii-
They are so gorgeous- The flame Maple, gold fittings- truthfully- Considering my "plain-jane" Maple Laredo
and how I gingerly and lovingly behold it-
Don't know if my heart could take even removing a Cheyenne from the Case.
Ab-so-lutley magnificent basses. I own 7 others; I love 'em all, but I dunno, this Rickenbacker I just bought-
Put a gun to my hed, demand I only get to choose one- Hey- Hello, Laredo- Hope that does not happen- but IF it did

I've heard here the premise about a "Rock-Star" eg if only they used a 4004- Well- I dunno I'm long way from being that-
And maybe a famous bnechmark player touring with his/her Ric 04 would stimulate demand-
In a way it's kind of nice being a dialed-in "Inner Circle" type- and I mean that without attitude.

I want to re-iterate: This week, on impulse, I added a new Bass, and I looked at the Ric site because I was considering seriously a 4003- SOMETHING about the Laredo got into me- I found a GearBase page with a very good local SoCal dealer, TrueTone Music, listing (3) in stock- JetGlo, AmberGlo, and MG-
It was funny-(you shoulda been there!) Called the store, asked Salesman if it was in fact in stock...and he started FEELING it SALE! SALE ! Ka-Ching!
Yup- took the plunge, made sure he gave me tracking # (after my Credit Card of course)

Calling FedEx- Thye wound up saying, "AHHH it's that LARRY again, asking about his Bass! We already told him..By the end of the Business Day!"

When the truck did come; ran outside, Driver goes "I don't blame you dude" LOL He knew it was an instrument!

Well, remember I had not ever seen a 4004L, let alone played a Rickenbacker- (and I'm ashamed; this after almost 40 years of being a Bassist and a gear-head, 7 Basses; 6 fine amps)----

I opened the Case and VOILA-
The rest is (brief) History- I SEE why this Forum exists- Rickenbacker instruments are special. Short version.

Now the Cheyennes- They are really special-- Looks like they're a rare bird huh?

Lucky players that get 'em.

Thanks for listening!

Sounds like you LOVE your Laredo! It's ok, really!
If more of these made it into more hands of more players, they would have to make a lot more of them.
I've played several and they are incredible.
Congrats to those who are finally getting theirs! Want to see lots of pics!!

It's an awesome instrument-
We see on the "other" forums the wide-range of instruments (and gear at large) available for today's bassist.
It's overwhelming really- And what with NAMM coming up, and a growing number of custom builders--All the options-
But STILL-
I am surprised at how under-the-radar the 4004's are.
Surprised because their their quality and playability are not just GOOD; not just even Great-
the word "Supreme" comes to mind.

I thought that some of my "others" were of the highest build- and they are in many ways- There are some Sweeet basses in my stable-
But the Rickenbacker- Maybe it's because it's my first neck-through (by choice) Nope, scratch that- As I wipe the fingerprints off after I play, I FEEL the body shape- I can sense how much care is taken into assembly; surely it starts with wood selection, and a regimen of build that Rickenbacker should be proud of. Everything is so tight and right-
Surprised, but I guess it makes sense.
Seems that Rickenbacker is a "throw-back" Company in so many ways, holding onto values that many can't or don't.

E.G. making a "lesser" off-shore branded name, whcih is all good- BUT- it just does not seem to be what Mr. Hall & CO. would choose to do.

Each time I see a new detail of my Laredo- whether it's the headstock wings, or the way the nut sits, or the flushness of the pups, everything... And the Bubinga board- Oh, Man is that nice- and one of my "others" has a beautiful Bird's-Eye Maple board- here's a clue- with a "gun-oil" tint which is superb-
But still must take a backseat to the Rickenbacker as a whole.

Like I say- The Cheyennes MIGHT be too much for an emotional wreck like me to bear!

Well, here is a little more eye candy for you. My '93 Cheyenne I and '97 Laredo. Both were "Rathed" with the vol/vol/tone setup, and the Laredo has a swapped out TRC (didn't like the black TRC on Fireglo) and set up BEAD. Enjoy, but don't get the keyboard wet!:

Elnjaybass wrote: I am surprised at how under-the-radar the 4004's are.
Surprised because their their quality and playability are not just GOOD; not just even Great-
the word "Supreme" comes to mind.

That's exactly how I feel about the Cii Cheyenne model. I haven't yet had the pleasure of owning a Laredo or an original version of the Cheyenne.

Elnjaybass wrote:The Cheyennes MIGHT be too much for an emotional wreck like me to bear!

Nah, I think you could handle it!

rickenbrother wrote:I haven't yet had the pleasure of owning a Laredo or an original version of the Cheyenne.

Jeez, really Joey? What do you have, like 12 Cheyenne's?

Nah, I think you could handle it!

I'd like to give it a try!

Beautiful pics/basses, much thanks!

"Both were "Rathed" with the vol/vol/tone setup, and the Laredo has a swapped out TRC (didn't like the black TRC on Fireglo)"

I think I get the "rathed" mod; but what is "TRC"- maybe my brain is melting from "admiring Laredo-itis" or something!

Larry, TRC = Truss Rod Cover.

AHHH, "TRUSS ROD COVER""

THere we go! Thought of it just as you posted!!

By George, I'm becoming a Rickenbackeroid!

Cool.

Right. The standard Laredo TRC is black plastic with chrome-plated raised lettering. The standard Cheyenne TRC is the same but with "gold"-plated raised lettering. I prefer the white TRC on Fireglo, so swapped with Joey a few years ago.

You Gents are certainly way more dialed in to the Cii Situation than a "rookie" like me, but maybe this is interesting; it was to me!

http://www.altomusic.com/components/main/top.htm

The Ric site shows a TR 4004 Cii shipped to them, so just for the halibut, I called and spoke to a Salesman-
He told me it was for an Order placed....In 2006!!

He said the Customer cancelled, and he would try & see IF the instrument was coming to them, as Ric's site states-
Don't know how current their info is-The Salesman actually didn't know the status of the bass being shipped

But if anyone is looking into getting a Cii in Red, that MAY be an inroad, and the price he suggested was reasonable-Whcih all considered, Ric's prices most certainly are for what you're getting!

However ref: the time frame- He told me that Ric waits until a certain amount of Orders are accrued from Dealers, then does a "mass build" for want of a better term of the Model. Makes sense.
And with the time it takes to build to the Rickenbacker standard, isn't that wild? In other words, apparently, as I guess you seasoned vets know, you can place your order with a Dealer, then---
Wait
and Wait
and Wait.

Being new to the Ric Fever, I can't tell you how facinating this is to me! Makes me feel Lucky that I got my Laredo!
Timelines aside, I'm lucky because these play like no other.

I had a time-frame of about 4 months from a very fine Custom Builder, for a very unique project I am considering; another builder quoted me a year (possibly less) for the same type of instrument.

I waited about 3 long months for a Custom-Ordered well-know "Production" bass, (rhymes with "D and Bell") it was worth it and built beautifully.

But a Cheyenne- Man, those are beautys- Brings new meaning to the term "Worth Waiting For"

To get 4004s out from under the radar, go forth and play it a lot, and be really really good. Then people will want more and RIC will make more and then more people will get famous with them at their side. Rinse and repeat.

sloop_john_b wrote:

rickenbrother wrote:I haven't yet had the pleasure of owning a Laredo or an original version of the Cheyenne.

Jeez, really Joey? What do you have, like 12 Cheyenne's?

No, just two!

rickenbrother wrote:

sloop_john_b wrote:

rickenbrother wrote:I haven't yet had the pleasure of owning a Laredo or an original version of the Cheyenne.

Jeez, really Joey? What do you have, like 12 Cheyenne's?

No, just two!

Yeah, but they are both 5 strings!

Joey, did you move that Jetglo Cheyenne II?: