Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I just wanted to publicly thank fellow Forumite Tim Sarter for selling me back my old Rick 4004 with the Dark Star pickups. After much bugging and begging and sometimes downright pleading . . . he finally relented.

But anyway, thanks Tim for giving me another chance with this bass. I know how much we both like it. It's really unique and sounds great and the black and chrome make it really a sexy bass.

Guys and gals, Tim is really an awesome guy and has become a good friend of mine because of this bass. It's great to have it back.

Greg, congrats! But man, I want dibs. Serious as a heart attack.

Very nice to see it returned to it's "creator".

That thing looks sweet. How's it sound? Still like a 400x?

incubus2432 wrote:Very nice to see it returned to it's "creator".

Actually, I don't think Greg was the creator. Maybe someone at the old DP?

I was wondering where that bass went. It got me back into rics when I saw the first photo's from the old DP and Fred's website. I'd love make that conversion. I have a 90's reissue Starfire II that I did the Dark Star conversion, the 4004 would be the ultimate!! Congratulations on getting it back.

Tim...What a guy!

sloop_john_b wrote:

incubus2432 wrote:Very nice to see it returned to it's "creator".

Actually, I don't think Greg was the creator. Maybe someone at the old DP?

Hmmmmm......when I first saw it I thought it was just finished and it was Greg's. It's not like I haven't been wrong a billion other times though.

Yep, John is right, I bought the bass from it's original creator "Norris McCarty" on the old DP. He had the pickups installed and I was the second owner and then Tim Sarter found me and inquired about buying it. I was in the market for a fretless at the time so I sold it to him. And missed it almost immediately. But it was in good hands with Tim and he took great care of it.

As far as the sound and Tim can confirm or refute this, but I think it absolutely retains the Rick sound and vibe but the pickups in general are much bigger sounding. It's hard to explain but the Dark Stars are REALLY nice sounding clear pickups. I really like them a lot and I think they give the bass a nice vintage vibe. Plus the black and Chrome pickups really look great on the black and chrome bass.

So all in all it's good to have it back. As far as dibs go John, well, It'll be a while before I'm dumb enough to sell it again but Tim already claimed dibs again so . . . you'd have to fight him for it.

Greg, it's cool that you got back a bass that you missed so much, congrats.

And I'd like to say a big YOU'RE WELCOME Greg!

It was time for it to head home. Wonderful bass and I certainly enjoyed it. Played it out a many shows.

What made me really think it was time for Greg to have it was my finding my old Boogie Bodies bass. Was talking to a friend how much I wished I had kept it and they happened to find it on E-bay the next days. Was amazing. Called the seller and he sold it back to me for what I sold it for 3 or 4 years earlier. It was a one off custom order. Subtle looking P-bass, but has a solid macassar ebony neck and a chambered zebra wood body. If felt so good to have it back it made me think of Greg. Only seemed right that since I got my baby back he should have his.

Enjoy Greg!

- Tim

That Darkstar 4004 never left my mind....love at first sight ! Nice to see it again