Horseshoe / Hi Gain

[heinpete]

Nice, that you care so much about senior members ears, Vince: "Peter A. Heinzel, you may not like Paul McCartney’s sound, you may not like it at all. But it’s GREAT !!!!!!!! you know, sometimes if you turn the Deep Purple up too loud for too long you can lose some ear. Be careful"

I can promise you I never go on rock concerts w/o ear plugs avoiding any loss. So far I still count
two of them.

My first impression of a Ric 4001 (model FWMOP, CPI and FG skunker) in a live concert was 1975 with Nazareth playing the bass intro of "Night Woman" - plain simple but GREAT!!!!!!!! Ever since...

[jwr2]

If Ric still made basses exactly like the 60s 4001 basses and not like the modern 4003 basses they would have a drastically smaller market share ... most players don't want a weak necked bass with weak pickups and a capacitor that eliminates bass response ... you know just stringing up a 60s bass with a set of round wound strings stresses the neck beyond its design specs ...

sometimes people think older is better ... sometimes older is just older ...

[elysrand]

The older necks were inconsistent in their choices of wood. Some necks are much stronger and some are much weaker. If you string up an old Rick bass with Rotosounds, and the action changes greatly, that is a danger sign, and you should take them off. If you string up another old Rick with the same strings and the action does not change nearly as much, then that neck is stronger and you likely will not have trouble with it. It is a subjective thing. In later years, Rick got better and more consistent with their necks, but they apparently did not have as much quality control in the Sixties due to the fact that I have observed much wider differences in wood stiffness and stability from bass to bass back then compared to all my later basses. Of the 18 Sixties Rick basses in the vault here, four of them have Rotosounds on them and are perfectly fine. I bought them that way, and they had been strung with Rotosounds for most of their lives. But I would never put Rotosounds on most of the others, since most of the others tested out as flimsier when I was servicing the trussrods and tried different strings on them in the process. They all have original Rick Maxima purple-threads on them.

[vincent_gallo]

Elys with all due respect, you may be fishing for words to convince yourself and others of Chris Squire’s view. I know the guy for many years and know him a bit more than just being his fan. He loves his bass just the way it is and if by chance he really is playing a re-issue these days then things have drastically changed in his mood or he simply is stuck without a bass he likes. And by the way, how about posting a picture of your 18 sixties basses as I’m sure we would all enjoy seeing them. I’m sorry so many of yours have neck problems. Mine play perfect

Jeff, I have only tried to reflect insight into the wonderful world of the original 60’s basses. Each time reminding everyone that I feel all Rickenbacker basses are great. We know you do not like them as you say it over and over again. In fact your taste prompted you to sell your bass to me, which made me very very happy. I’m glad you don’t like em.

[elysrand]

Hi Vince! Good to hear from you Sorry though - I do not intend to discuss or quote what Chris says to me each time we have a phone call, but we do talk once or twice a week, and my wife talks to his more like three or four times a week - they have become fast friends, have a great deal in common, and are plotting visits with each other very soon with the kids along. In fact, the most recent time I spoke to Chris about his bass was one day ago, on his one day off from the studio the past two weeks working on the Christmas Album. So I can tell you that my info comes verbatim from his mouth, what ever that info was, and there is absolutely no doubt what he thinks of the pickups on his RM1999 or that he has been using a CS for awhile as one of his basses. No fishing for words here, it is hard fact. And in light of previous posts, Chris was not confused in any way about the hardware - he knows his bass and its pickups very well.

[wints]

Oh dear, in the bigger picture here, who are forum members to presume correct, with the "I know" CS issues?

Vincent is a fastidious collector who has known Chris personally for 10 years, who has placed his music in his movies, and just happens to own his old FOOW RM1999 and 4001/8 basses amongst others.

Discerning members of this forum may make their own informed subjective conclusions.

[elysrand]

Forum members are invited to post any Chris Squire relevant issues over in the Chris Squire and Yes forum area. If you need to know something about Chris or his instruments, his playing tips and techniques, his upcoming tour info and recordings info (subject to what they want released and when), or opinions on various gear that he may have used in the past, just post it in the Chris Squire and Yes forum area. If appropriate, then I will incorporate your question into my next phone call from them (we chat several times a week so often I can get you a quick response).

As always, posts made to the forum are subject to the Rules of the Board. Be nice to one another, discuss Rickenbackers and topics relating to Chris Squire and Yes, and not each other. As Moderator, I will do all I can to coordinate and get information from The Source as best I can for you

[vincent_gallo]

Elys, whatever you say here I assume is true or at least it is the way you understand it to be. Lets simply agree that we understand Chris’s words differently. I do not call Chris often at all anymore and only check in occasionally. He lives in London not across the street from me like the old days. I don’t call my guy friends who live overseas three four times a week and would never fly all the way to London just to visit a friend. I don’t have that much free time and certainly have to travel enough for work. At this point you sound like Chris’s best buddy and I am happy he has a new friend. I prefer we avoid any further conflict regarding Chris. If you want to speak on Chris’s behalf that is ok with me. I will avoid adding any Chris Squire insight on this forum. You can be the last word Chris Squire and I will only post on other subjects.

Now back to basses, I know you live somewhere close to DC. I will be working there for a month. Could I possibly visit and see the 18 sixties basses you own. I am a big fan of that era Rickenbacker and would love to see them. And though you don’t love your 18 sixties basses and much as your many many seventies basses, I think there may be a few members here who would love to see pictures of all 18 sixties basses and maybe a dozen or so of your other basses. I know I sure would.

[elysrand]

Hi VInce!! Sure, send me a private email to discuss details. I would certainly welcome you, but I don't know what my wife would say, we have five kids under 11 years old and as the official family host she is the one who manages the social calendar I will refer her to your web site to learn more about you. She has a little more time on her hands, since she gave up her staff job at our local Presbyterian church directing the Children's Ministry, but she did it because we are home-schooling the kids in a Classical christian education format, and so teaching responsibilities are taking up increasing amounts of her time. It is kinda fun - I do the math and science, and have started Greek as well as Latin with them too My only problem is that including all the guitars and basses now, I don't have room to display them all anymore, despite the fact that it is a large room. I added another 4003 FL BBR and a nice 381v69/12 MG just this week alone to the collection, so it is definitely all my fault that there is no more room I keep a lot of them over at the other house too, but I will bring them all back over here in the next month as we make trips over. We'll just need to make a glorious mess of the floor by pulling out all the extra cases and opening them all up! It should make for a fun playdate if you do come

I caution you though, if you want others on this BBS to show you photos of their basses, you must be willing to show yours on the BBS. In the past, IIRC, didn't you decline to show any photos of any of your basses because you told us you were writing a book and you did not want anyone to see your basses until you published photos of them in a book? Is that still true, or are you now willing to share photos of them all on the BBS?

And don't sell yourself short, you are a very important friend to Chris, post anything you want, you were there during the difficult Melissa times and you are a buddy now and will always be Chris' friend! Cherish that and please never be sad about anything. You are a great guy, a fine professional actor and director, I am totally in awe of your knowledge and your Rick collection, I have the highest respect and regard for you, and always will!

[gearhed289]

Wow, this thread sure got weird....

Anyway, to answer someone's earlier question, my "hot" toasters all come in between 11.5 and 12 on the multi meter.

[jwr2]

Let me make it clear that I do not hate 60s Ric basses ... on the contrary ... they are wonderful and marvelous instruments ... I played my 1968 4001 for over 30 years as my main instrument ... but when I started playing modern music I found my 73 4001 with 2 8k ohm high gains which was also rewired with all 250k ohm pots and no cap did a better job gigging ... then I found a 1989 4003s5 which gave me lower notes and it had a 15k ohm bridge high gain that screamed and it had a wonderfully strong neck that was straight when the truss rods were only finger tight ...

If you ever get the chance to play a 60s 4001 do it ... they are great ... they are a great collectors item ... but for gigging I say try a 4003 or 4004 they kick but and take names ...

[heinpete]

Who is Chris!

[elysrand]

Hi Pete! I hope your wife and two sons are healthy and happy, and that you are doing well, it has been awhile since we have last corresponded! Are you still searching for that perfect late-1972 4001 FG? If so, I have been watching for one to come along, and I will let you know first thing when I spot one

"Chris" is Chris Squire, bass player for the British band YES.

[heinpete]

O.K. Elys. Just wanted to get the tension out of this thread! Yes, we are all doing fine. Currently Gil is here in Germany, he was staying over night at our house and we had the FIRST INTERNATIONAL MEDITERRANEAN CONFLUENCE! Gil will post some more information and pic.

About my search: I nearly gave up. I now opt for Paul W.'s "pre-'73-conversion" (including 2st fret ) of my '74 4001FG. The costs and result seem more realistic than spending another 5 grand on a near mint pre-'73 4001FG with all goodies, that might have less nice wood grain and other hidden probs. I simply do not have any chance to check out some pre-'73 skunkers over here to be convinced about such investment. After all I will play it for the rest of my life and my current 4001 is just great (though missing the goodies) and deserves the conversion, I guess. If everything is done the bass (I might call her "Yvonne") will have cost me around 3500 $, no longer a collectors item but a perfect player and like new. That would be my 50th birthday present , I only fear it will "get lost" during shipment!?