Yuck

[twangs]

http://nh.craigslist.org/msg/676458731.html

"Modified and greatly improved from the original Rickenbacker configuration"

Whatever....

[paologregorio]

Hideous. That poor bass.

[rickaddict]

Thanks, Tony. You just made me eat bile for breakfast!

[ricaddic]

Actually the bass does look in very good condition, and the price is good for a 77 4001, if I bought it I would get a new pick guard, and replace the pick ups with a new high gain bridge and put a toaster in the neck position.

[winston]

"not played much". I can see why!!!!!!!! Mind you, Paul, or Dale could probably repair the damage done to it.

[jwr2]

Another example of un-necessary mods ... if they had simply removed the .0047 capacitor they could have some low end without chopping the bass ...

[twangs]

Sorry to ruin your breakfast, Jeff...

I was thinking or writing to the guy and asking if he had kept the original pups and pick guard. In fact, that's what I'll do right now....

[jdogric12]

I can't believe no one has commented on the finish!

[rickaddict]

I can't believe no one has commented on the finish!

What's wrong with the finish?

[winston]

I can't believe no one has commented on the finish!

What's wrong with the finish?

It's beautiful!

[rickenbrother]

Thanks, Tony. You just made me eat bile for breakfast!

As well as my lunch!!

[edski]

"not played much". I can see why!!!!!!!! Mind you, Paul, or Dale could probably repair the damage done to it.

We'd be inclined to believe that, but what is that hideous, misshapen PU guard hiding? I'd bet the routing to allow those foreign pickups is not the best. Sure Paul or Dale get it fixed, but it might take some doing if that PU guard is that way for a reason...

Other than that the finish looks nice...

[johnallg]

There is more routing for the P-Bass pup, but the J-Bass pup would fit the RIC rout. The holes for the guards look to line up with the original holes for the old guard and surround, but don't count on that. A RIC guard would cover the extra rout for the p-pup. Also different tuners.

Otherwise this bass is in really nice condition, and later 70s basses have great necks and tone.

[1965]

I totally regret clicking on that link.

[whojamfan]

I am all about mods, I love to make changes(almost always electronic)to my instruments, and can appreciate things that actually enhance either the look or playability of a stock instrument. Players like Geddy, Squire, Burton, and Lemmy(just to name a few) have all modified their Ricks to meet their needs, and have contributed greatly to the success of Rickenbackers, as well as help break the stereotype.

Having said that, this is a major step backwards. Aside from being "butt ugly"IMHO, passive EMGs like these in a Rick really destroy any character the bass had tone wise. Next to a real American PJ Bass, this thing probably sounds like a cheap copy.

The finish is beautiful, and I could even understand if an active system(like Alembic) was installed. But passive, good grief, the owner could have used those Seymour Duncan direct replacements if he/she found the stock set up to be too bright. If this job was indeed professionally done, an experienced tech would have pulled that .0047 cap off the bridge pickup first, then went from there with the customer on direct replacement offers, or convinced the owner to get an instrument that better suited their needs(such as the one in the shop they work in etc). A "professional" would've discouraged the owner from making such a drastic change, unless it was the only way to cover up something.

There is more to this deal than meets the eye, and certainly more than the seller is giving up. I would be willing to bet that a lot of money would need to be sunk into this puppy to get it back, or the seller would spend a couple of hundred bucks to make it right and charge 3 grand for it.

What evil lurks under that tupperware pickguard. Only the shadow knows.