New to Forum; New RIC, and a little present

[woodyng]

love the 4004,i have an 04 cii that is my favorite of my 3 rick basses. it's a featherweight,superergonomically designed,very ballsy sounding,and great-playing bass. and note where my playing hand falls....not so easy to do on the older design.....

[Elnjaybass]

After playing my new 4004L for quite some time now (in the last two days of ownership... )

I really can't understand why this instrument isn't enshrined in the "Passive Bass Hall of Fame" as , well, maybe "Greatest Ever".

There are some wonderful instruments out- Graphite necks, neo pickups, exotic woods-
There are some high-end luthiers with a wait-list of well over a year or more for one of their creations.
There are some instruments that cost about double the Laredo.

I absolutely cannot understand how a Bass this fine is not ...well never mind, I'm part of the answer to that, as I was almost not even aware of it, and I'm a gear-head.

I associated Ric of course with th 4003- McCartney, Chris Squire, et al. Not particularly what I feel- I'll skip the stuff about what I look for in a bass- but I will say-

I play a lot of R&B based pocket feel, Jamerson, Chuck Rainey, -covers like Etta James, Al Green, Aretha- and if you want to- Listen to Tyrone Davis' rhythm section- I only heard "TD" when I toured Down South- Louisiana, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabam, Mississippi- The music that comes from there is SO in-the-pocket I found myself almost in tears once in Alabama, listening to some singer I never heard of on AM radio---

To the Ric, Laredo in particular-
This bass rules for this vibe and style. Ladies and Gents, I will get overcome with emotion if I tell you what it sounds like through my Ampeg rig....
Wait- I need a moment-


Ok, better!

It NAILS the tone(s) I seek and want for laying down a groove that is so smooth, so precise, so focused, and so perfect for the bottom end of the rhythm section-
I assume Rickenbacker employs physicists in theri lab who o sonic studies of the perfect tonalities required for Groove playing and then inserts them into the Humbuckers, toggle, and knobs on the Laredo.
Gotta be.
Or else, maybe the bridge?

I LOVE this bass- Forum is way cool to- lotsa nice links and stuff. Glad I found BOTH.
Thank You.

[rickenbrother]

Larry, you'd probably also love the 4004 Cheyenne II.

Since you are in LA, feel free to join us at the next SoCal mini-con jam. Bring you Laredo with you.

Here's the link with the info:
viewtopic.php?f=15&t=385629

[Elnjaybass]

Joey, yeah, for sure, Thanks- Hope to see when the GTG is posted & taking place.

EDIT** I need to read more carefully- Has a date been decided?? I personally will be at NAMM all four days, in Anaheim wednesday night- I gotta work- BTW, if any Ric-en Fans are going please let me know- I'll be happy to meet any/all, Tell me if you're gonna be there, & swing by my Booth, I'll talk endlessly about how cool my 4004L is!!

If I'm learning my Ric stuff, the Cheyenne is the same configuration, same spec as the Laredo- except for gold-plated hardware (gorgeous!) and the flamed combination maple/I-forget-what -other-wood! body.

There's a pic of a translucent red Cii on the cover of the "Owner's Manual" and IF the Laredo is the "standard" bare-bones version finish-wise (so to speak) then I'm not real sure if I personally could HANDLE an instrument that looks that good.

When I fall from exhaustion from PLAYING the Laredo, I sometimes gaze at it, in it's case...Come to think of it, I gaze at the case- "Ric Newbie Fever"-
It's like a mirror, and the MapleGlo grain, and the neck, and the Bubinga board------
Mind you, this is BESIDES the way this monster plays-
I was working the E and A strings, playing to some Stevie Winwood tunes- (Check "Junction 7" CD for some cool stuff IMO)
aw golly- gosh-
The Laredo SINGS the low-end note runs and phrases, I wanna cry--

OK, I know...I'll stop.

[marc61]

Larry, tell us how you really feel....

Glad to have you with us. Enjoy your Laredo.

[rickenbrother]

Joey, yeah, for sure, Thanks- Hope to see when the GTG is posted & taking place.

EDIT** I need to read more carefully- Has a date been decided?? I personally will be at NAMM all four days, in Anaheim wednesday night- I gotta work- BTW, if any Ric-en Fans are going please let me know- I'll be happy to meet any/all, Tell me if you're gonna be there, & swing by my Booth, I'll talk endlessly about how cool my 4004L is!!

The mini-con-jam should be Saturday, January 24th. Which is your NAMM show booth?

If I'm learning my Ric stuff, the Cheyenne is the same configuration, same spec as the Laredo- except for gold-plated hardware (gorgeous!) and the flamed combination maple/I-forget-what -other-wood! body.

That's walnut sandwiched in between maple of the 4004 Cii Cheyenne.

[Elnjaybass]

by marc61 on Fri Jan 09, 2009 6:00 pm
Larry, tell us how you really feel....

Yes, I know- I need to express my inner feelings rather than hold them inside where they can fester!

by rickenbrother
Which is your NAMM show booth?

NAMM:

I'd be delighted to meet other Ric afficianados and talk some more about my Laredo!
Nah, kidding; c'mon by if you can and say hello!
If I'm in the middle of a billion-dollar sale; hang loose for a sec- I'll be able to get a couple 4003's and Cii's then!

[rickenbrother]

Guitar straps, eh?! I like soft, black leather guitar straps that are at least 3 1/2" wide. Even a heavy bass guitar doesn't feel so bad with one of those.

[Elnjaybass]

http://www.pccord.com/deluxe_guitar_straps.htm

Don't say a word!! I'll be in BIG trouble!
But this is my "girlfriend" in Australia; here's one she made for me below, I use it for "another" bass...
You should see what she's making me for the LAREDO!!
Oh Man, will it Rawk!

[johnallg]

When I fall from exhaustion from PLAYING the Laredo, I sometimes gaze at it, in it's case...Come to think of it, I gaze at the case- "Ric Newbie Fever"-

Larry, that is the Rick-O-Smell from inside the case.... it is addictive!

[Elnjaybass]

When I fall from exhaustion from PLAYING the Laredo, I sometimes gaze at it, in it's case...Come to think of it, I gaze at the case- "Ric Newbie Fever"-

Larry, that is the Rick-O-Smell from inside the case.... it is addictive!

LOL...
Yes; Yes----

MUST..Buy....Another....Rickenbacker Bass!

4003...JetGlo....Must...have ....one...

Ahhhhhh, its' GOT me-

[jps]

Your girlfriend makes some great looking straps, Larry! I just might have to get me a couple.

[johnallg]

http://www.pccord.com/deluxe_guitar_straps.htm

Don't say a word!! I'll be in BIG trouble!
But this is my "girlfriend" in Australia; here's one she made for me below, I use it for "another" bass...
You should see what she's making me for the LAREDO!!
Oh Man, will it Rawk!

Hey, she's alright - love the "model" for this strap! http://www.pccord.com/12_leather_guitar_straps.htm

Out of your line I like the L7C in burgandy, L8 in brown, and the S5 in honey. But like Joey they have to be 3.5" or 4" wide. Very nice selection.

[Elnjaybass]

Chantal has been a good friend since I purchased her #39 as shown; its' for my W****** bass-
As you view her site, you can see that she does amazing work; the pics don't even do her justice-
She hand-carved a strap for a customer who wanted scenes depicting Muddy water's life!
ANd there's a fairly well-known Rock-Star, whose name I can't divulge who she tells me is a real prima-donna-He's ordered about 6 custom straps, and is like a fussy hen- "Let's move the Conchos up an inch, and add some rhinestones at the tail-end..." Ad-infinitum! Funny stuff!

I'll post the strap she's making for my awesome new LAREDO when it's done- It will be somethin' to behold, I'll tell ya.

I also use straps from Marty at Ovation Leathers, in El Paso TX- A real gent- He did the "Shamrock" strap posted which was inspired by the great fun I had while in Ireland- What a country!

And Terry at Action does beautiful work; here's my very basic Bone leather strap- Super comfortable.

My line- ONORI- is very nice production stuff- You can check out the catalogue at http://www.onorimusic.com, and see the range-
I'm working to represent the Bass Players of course! And BTW, I hope I'm not violating Forum rules; if so please advise-

We all need something to hang our Ric basses on, huh?