Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Saw this auction:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Fernandes-Rickenbacker-4003-model_W0QQitemZ170025461538QQihZ007QQcategoryZ4713QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

At first I couldn't figure this out. Then I realized this is another copy bass.

Interesting. Never saw a Ric copy from them. They made some nice copies of Strats and stuff in the past. In fact, they define the term lawsuit, because they were sued, and I believe as part of the suit, they had to do some manufacturing for companies.

That is a darned good copy. I'd like to see the inlays up close.

I'm ashamed to admit it, but my first or second bass was a Fernandes Ric copy - it was actually a copy of Paul McCartney's bass! I wish I had pictures of it - I have no idea how good a copy it was. This was back in 1984 or 85. I remember it was natural finish, and I also remember thinking that it sucked. I got rid of it and graduated to a Fender Japan P-bass, which was actually a really nice bass. I also had a Greco copy of a Gibson EB-3. But once I got turned on to Fender Japans, there was no turning back - until four years ago when I got my first "real" instruments - both Rick and Gibson...

Japanese Fenders are quite formidible instruments, Harry! I've had several excellent ones (guitars).

I have some pics of a blonde Fenades Rick copy on my son's computer...

As for MIJ Fenders...I have a 92 MIJ J bass that had only one problem - ****** stock PU's. Otherwise it is a great instrument. Now with some Seymour Duncans in it, it is one HOT bass.

That is, if you like Fenders, J basses, and unlined fretlesses.

I remember seeing the Fernandes Rick copy you mention, and as much as I hate to admit it, Fernandes' renditions of some well-known guitar and bass models are not bad at all. 15 years ago I briefly owned a Fernandes "early '60s" Jazz Bass which looked, played and sounded impressive to say the least.

Don't get me wrong - my Fender Japan '62 Jazz reissue was my workhorse for many years. A lot of people complain about the pickups in the MIJ/CIJs, but everyone from FOH sound engineers to luthiers loved the stock ones in mine (I bought it in Japan in '87 or '88, maybe that makes a difference...).

But my financial circumstances changed in 2002, and for the first time in my life I was able to go a step up (or a couple of steps up) and actually buy the real thing - a 1976 4001! To tell the truth, a lot of people liked the sound of my Fender Japan Jazz better, and it was a great sound, but my tastes have changed, and that's not the sound I'm going for anymore...

And the Fernandes still sucked, despite the fact that I was an inexperienced player at the time. I just remember it feeling fake. Subjective I know, but I don't even really like thinking about it now!