PUTTING THE SCREWS...

[aceonbass]

Thanks Paul

[cjj]

OK, so what's the story behind the 6 string instrument?

[aceonbass]

Taking a que from Chris Squire's triple neck, I changed the guitar neck on my custom Ricky double neck to three pairs of octaves in E, A, & D. Kind of a poor man's 12-string. Since I don't know anyone here with a 12-string of any kind, I find it adds a nice sonic touch to things. I also found that if I adjusted the mute just right, it does a very convincing sitar sound. The first thing that came to mind was "My Green Tambourine" by The Lemon Pipers.

[winston]

Now that's what I call thinking outside of the box. A well conceived idea, nicely done Dane! I bet it sounds great.

[shamustwin]

I pretty much only play bass while recording, but I like the mutes slightly applied.

[winston]

I have to say that I never use the mutes on my basses. That's not saying that I never tried them however.

[ilan]

I don't use the mute but I like knowing it's there. Like the Ric-o-Sound, the pickguard (for fingerstyle players), the tone knobs on a Strat, or other entirely useless remnants of vestigial parts.

[cjj]

I used the mute... once... for about 5 minutes... I think it was 1978. Haven't fiddled with one since, just not my kind of sound...

[johnhall]

Okay, I admit it, I'm totally wrong. There's at least ten people out there that use the mute.

[RicOSoundMan]

Okay, I admit it, I'm totally wrong. There's at least ten people out there that use the mute.

YESSS!!!! I am finally counted among the Greats!!!!!!!!

[dricard]

So . . . that makes, what . . . four guys in the world that actually use the mute?

I would make 5, i sometimes use the mute in my '75 4001. But for some reason, the screws are easier to turn than my '97 4003?

[ajish4]

Okay, I admit it, I'm totally wrong. There's at least ten people out there that use the mute.

Sorry John, 11.

[MiroN]

I removed the mute and made extensive modifications to this 70's 4001 tailpiece....

Dane, can you show me a photo of the bass?

[Ivan3000]

Paul McCartney's currently has hex-socket pan head machine screws, which he adjusts with a hex key.

John, can you tell me about what Paul does with his Rick currently, I am very interested. I'd like to see it live just once!

[rickaddict]

Okay, I admit it, I'm totally wrong. There's at least ten people out there that use the mute.

Make that...ELEVEN!

I use the mute occasionally.

I've found that getting the mute to work on my Ricks is approximately 65% about trimming and repositioning the foam pad, and 35% finding springs that allow the bolts to turn freely.

It's a neat little gadget that will work if you're willing to put the time into it, and I'm the sort of mechanical perfectionist that would be bothered if my mutes didn't work.

I find the stock pad to be too long and too wide to be raised smoothly.

Here are a few of mine that work effortlessly (click twice for the extreme close-up):

http://www.rickresource.com/register/us ... llsize.jpg

http://www.rickresource.com/register/us ... llsize.jpg

http://www.rickresource.com/register/us ... llsize.jpg