Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

FINALLY got my 1974 4001 back from my luthier after it's 400,000 mile overhaul. (Don't ask how long it was actually gone....) Had the .0047 cap removed, bridge p/u rewound by Lindy Fralin & some other assorted work done. Remember - the worst thing that you can do is tell your luthier "Take your time on this one." He does excellent work though & did turn around 2 of my other basses in a week for an show of mine that came up really quick.

The 4001 sounds fantastic! I really missed that bass.

Anyhow, here's an updated family portrait. It's not a Paul Yan quality photo, but gets the point across.

1974 4001
1978 3001
2003 4003
2001 Gibson Thunderbird
1988 Fender Jazz (w/ DiMarzios & slightly modded)

Nice thunderbird, how's it play and sound? I've always wanted one of those.

BTW, Where has Paul Yan been?

where in the world is Paul Yan?

Chris, nice color combo on the Fender jazz. I sold my 75 RI a few months ago, now I'm wanting another jazz bass.

Love that T-bird...BIG sound. Lotsa *** end, but plenty o'punch too. A ***** to hit the upper register because of the cutaway, but a great bass.

Funny thing about the jazz bass, I've been playing it a lot lately. I'm working with this singer/songwriter chick & there's just times that a Fender is what you need...

I recently put that tortoise shell pick guard & tele knobs on it. It's a great basher bass.

I found a NOS T-Bird this past April, what a fantastic bass! Chris, you were one of the guys who convinced me that I had to have one, thanks! Now if you could just point me in the direction of a stand that will work with it ...

Paul has been on an extended business trip, he should be back soon.

Congrats on the T-bird...they're great huh?!

I really wish I had gone with the natural finish on mine...yours is beautiful.

As for stands? Good luck...
I usually just keep mine in the case, but at practice I use one of those double stands with the t-back thingy. You can adjust them so they're real tall & you won't scrape the butt end of the bass. I don't like leaving it on there for a long time because all of the weight is supported by the neck/headstock & those necks are disturbingly thin. I guess that's why most of the old ones on ebay have the dreaded words "headstock repair".

Nice score Lindsay, enjoy it!

Somebody say hi to Paul for me.

Thanks, Chris, it's everything you said it would be and more. I really like the natural finish, too bad Gibson discontinued it. Incidently, mine's an '01, too; Musician's Friend sat on it for four years then dumped it when the finish was discontinued. Right place at the right time, I guess.

I've been intrigued by T-birds ever since I saw Mike Watt use one, and then found out he recorded much of one of his solo records with one. While I definitely prefer the Minutemen to anything Watt's done since, the bass tone on the record I'm talking about was incredible.

I've always wanted one since I saw one at a local music store on the counter when I was a kid, it was probably 1966-67, and it was kind of a sunburst, I thought it was the coolest looking bass I had ever seen, it was in for a repair and would have been way out of my price range anyway.

Speaking of Thunderbirds....

Really wish I had before/afters. You would not BELIEVE how abused this bass once was.

Nice color...
What is that? A 76-79?

How bad was it? Busted headstock too?

Thanks, it's a '77. In the process I learned Pelham Blue was also an early '60s Cadillac color....

Yes, headstock was busted (though that was repaired long ago). The finish was BURNED off the guitar with a blowtorch. The guitar was spraypainted black and red. A Fender-style bridge was NAILED to the body.

Jesus...that's what I call a labor of love.
Nicely done...

Hey, thanks! Actually, I'm now considering selling it. It's such a cool instrument, but I'm not sure when I'm really going to use it. Too many Rickenbackers!