What would YOU do to a Rickenbacker bass...?

wkargel · Post by **wkargel** » Wed Jul 09, 2003 6:24 pm

Or even better....a Rickenbacker copy!

I personally would love to see more exotic finishes, etc. on Rick basses, but I would NEVER modify a new, good condition or collectible Rick bass for that!

I WOULD however, do UNSPEAKABLE things to a Rick bass copy and/or an old trashed Rick bass!

I can give a Rick bass a clear blue/red/green finish...or maybe give it Day-Glo colours...or give it Randy Rhodes-style polka-dots...or give it zebra stripes! Anything goes!

If money was no object, and you had an old trashed Rick bass or a copy, what would YOU do to it to make it...err..."unique"?

Regards,

Bill Kargel

***********************

[email protected]

Visit my homepage at http://www.geocities.com/wkargel

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Wed Jul 09, 2003 7:19 pm

Convert a 4 string to 5 string ... gee I've already done that ... add a reverse wound jazz bass pickup where the mute usually goes ... oh ya I've already done that ... put high gains on a 60's bass ... yep did that too ...

rick12dr · Post by **rick12dr** » Wed Jul 09, 2003 8:53 pm

Probably blasphemous to admit it, but[and my customer insisted we do this]I converted a fair condition '69 4001 Burgundyglo into a left handed
4001.Refinished in a dead on mid 60s Fireglo.
BIG $$$ if anyone ever asks me to do this again,
though the guy bought me a new jointer as part of the payment for doing it; could not have done this without it.

ricnvolved · Post by **ricnvolved** » Wed Jul 09, 2003 10:05 pm

1)-- "Apple Corp. Green" finish for 2004. ~LOL~
2)-- Checkered binding as a standard feature.
3)-- The return of the 4003s as a standard production model.
4)-- The return of the really nice black tolex case.
5)-- The return of the crushed pearl inlay from the '60s. (I know that material isn't available, but it would be great if a company out there somewhere could/would start producing it again.)
6)-- The return of the 4004C-I as an optional model.
7)-- 21 frets as a standard feature.

-- An improved bridge/tailpiece assembly *BUT* with the same look.

Hey, I don't think I'm asking for too much.

dminer · Post by **dminer** » Thu Jul 10, 2003 2:56 am

If I could find a 2000-3000 series bass with a trashed body (bad refinish, body routs ect.) and a good neck for a cheap price, I would like to re-cut the body shape to a 320 Lennon style and then add three toasters and four controls, paint it Jetglow or finish it Mapleglow and make a 2 layered pickguard. I would then have a 3200 Lennon style Bass. Of course, I'd have to get a template from someone with a 320 and hopefully it would fit. Just one of my musings.

eddier · Post by **eddier** » Thu Jul 10, 2003 4:06 am

To a 4003.
-Add a humbucking PU in the bass position and move it closer to the neck.
-Add a by-passable active EQ circut through the RIC-O-Sound jack (for all those times an engineer has wanted to record direct).
-Maple-glo with a light white clear coat.
-A gold two-layer pickguard
-Add walnut wings on the headstock.
-Add TV style knobs instead of a remote (sorry bad joke, no cable puns either).
-Have a twin made in black
-Have Mr. Hall introduce these basses as my new signature model at the NAMM show

OK I am pushing it.

gpatt5762 · Post by **gpatt5762** » Thu Jul 10, 2003 4:13 am

Flip the headstock and make the 4001C64 a STANDARD PRODUCTION MODEL, then DISCONTINUE the 4003.

add a fifth knob- Pan from via cap to not.

Garry

claudel · Post by **claudel** » Thu Jul 10, 2003 7:06 am

Hi

My 4005

http://www.sonic.net/~claudel/4005/

seems to have room for a couple or 3 more toasters :^)

Claude

ricnvolved · Post by **ricnvolved** » Thu Jul 10, 2003 8:07 am

Edmond-- Thanks for mentioning the Tv style control knobs. Can't believe I forgot to list those in my earlier post. I would already have a set of those on my 4003MG if they were available in black & silver.

The walnut headstock wings would be great also.

dave4004 · Post by **dave4004** » Thu Jul 10, 2003 8:12 am

I would rebuild to 4003 specs, put BLACK TRIM on it, and call it the Garry Patterson Limited Edition.

Dave (ducking for cover)

squirebass · Post by **squirebass** » Thu Jul 10, 2003 3:10 pm

I'd bring back checker binding, walnut headstock wings, clear thumbrest, and wide inlays. Even if they couldn't figure out how to replicate the "crushed pearl" they could do inlays the same way they do the 660 Tom Petty type guitars. Those have a very cool look to them and I think the 4003 would look just as cool that way...
I think I'd leave the pickups alone, and keep the vintage pickup option.
Oh, And I'd make Burgandy and Montezuma Brown standard colors.

ricnvolved · Post by **ricnvolved** » Thu Jul 10, 2003 8:13 pm

Dave-- Better Garry Patterson than me, if you're gonna put black trim on it. And it's probably a good idea you're ducking for cover. ~LOL~ When you talk like *that*, Garry may not be the only person to "hurl" something in your direction.

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Thu Jul 10, 2003 8:38 pm

Hey, when are the "Eddier" and The "Garry Patterson Limited edition" going to be out anyway?
If I had a trashed 4003 that played and sounded good, I have ot repainted either yellow or white, if it had white trim. If I had a Ric copy, I'd use it for a door stop, or something else suitable such as boat anchor.

rickcrazy · Post by **rickcrazy** » Fri Jul 11, 2003 3:29 am

I'd keep it simple. If I had a recent 4003, I'd re-shape the pickguard and modify the electronics to 70s specs, then I'd have the headstock professionally re-shaped to the 70s design and refinished.
As for copies, I have no use for them.

mortivan · Post by **mortivan** » Fri Jul 11, 2003 3:12 pm

I second everything Gene said with the addition of producing some in PurpleBurst (as "Color of the Year"). I'd also go back to the 70's headstock shape, and 60's style toaster.

I would not, however, consider black trim on anything but the white ones

(Jeez, I can't wait until I have time to start drawing these ...)