New Guy Checking In...
Posted: Thu Sep 28, 2006 6:24 am
Well, as "new" as one can be at 50+ years of age. Anyway, I've been lurking around the last few weeks after recently acquiring a '78 Mapleglo 4001. Was mainly looking for info on the 4001 capacitor mod, but got pulled into a lot of other interesting threads. I must say I like the way this forum balances solid information with a civil attitude. You folks definitely know and love your Ricks.
So here's my Rick story. After hearing "Close To The Edge" circa '73, I marched right down to Long & McQuade to find out just what the heck kind of bass delivered that tone. Walked out with a new, Jetglo 4001 and proceeded to play it six nights a week (yes, there was work to be had in those days!) for the next seven or eight years. It was my only bass back then.
But by 1980 or so, I was ready for a change. Sold the Rick for $400 (ouch!) and began working my way through a stream of basses, keeping some and discarding the rest.
I can honestly say I didn't really miss the Rick for many years. But a few months ago, I realized that a 4001 was the missing link in my little collection of half a dozen or so basses. So when a Mapleglo '78 turned up on my local craigslist I had to check it out.
The bass was in good shape cosmetically, but desperately needed a decent set-up. It also seemed to have been rewired at some time in its life, plus there was a two-inch neck crack up near the first fret. I took it to a very good local shop, who set it up, fixed the crack and electronics -- all for very, very reasonable dollars.
And now I can't put it down! I know all about "honeymoon" periods with a new instrument and this is definitely one of them. Still, I don't see the Ric replacing my main gigging basses (Musicman and, depending on my mood, a P or J). But it will at least see some work in a 70s "classic rock" band I'm currently rehearsing with and on some studio stuff I have coming up.
Anyway, just wanted to check in and let you folks know what a great forum this is. I look forward to learning lots...
So here's my Rick story. After hearing "Close To The Edge" circa '73, I marched right down to Long & McQuade to find out just what the heck kind of bass delivered that tone. Walked out with a new, Jetglo 4001 and proceeded to play it six nights a week (yes, there was work to be had in those days!) for the next seven or eight years. It was my only bass back then.
But by 1980 or so, I was ready for a change. Sold the Rick for $400 (ouch!) and began working my way through a stream of basses, keeping some and discarding the rest.
I can honestly say I didn't really miss the Rick for many years. But a few months ago, I realized that a 4001 was the missing link in my little collection of half a dozen or so basses. So when a Mapleglo '78 turned up on my local craigslist I had to check it out.
The bass was in good shape cosmetically, but desperately needed a decent set-up. It also seemed to have been rewired at some time in its life, plus there was a two-inch neck crack up near the first fret. I took it to a very good local shop, who set it up, fixed the crack and electronics -- all for very, very reasonable dollars.
And now I can't put it down! I know all about "honeymoon" periods with a new instrument and this is definitely one of them. Still, I don't see the Ric replacing my main gigging basses (Musicman and, depending on my mood, a P or J). But it will at least see some work in a 70s "classic rock" band I'm currently rehearsing with and on some studio stuff I have coming up.
Anyway, just wanted to check in and let you folks know what a great forum this is. I look forward to learning lots...
