Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Bert was hoping to have Midnight Blue coming soon to our parade of colors, and that's just as good a reason as any. Starting in 1985(?), Midnight Blue started replacing Azureglo as the standard "blue" Rick. Midnight Blue (abbreviated MID) is a metallic blue versus Azureglo which was a solid blue. Midnight Blue has varied over the years, some darker, some lighter, some more metallic. I'm not sure, but it may have started as a "candy" color where a clear blue is applied over a metallic base coat (silver). This was the case with Ruby, but I'm not positive that that method was used on early MID. I do know that it is now a metallic paint instead of the candy type. It has been the go-to blue for 24 years now, and bats cleanup in the four standard available colors.

I'd show you what I have, but I've never possessed a MID bass. I know, I know, whatzamatter with me! I guess the right deal never came along. I will show this one, however: a MID 4003S with perloid pickguard and tricked out blue-jewel knobs that I shot five years ago. This belongs to Kenny Siegel who is the Rick guru at the Greenfield WI Music Go Round. Also, Dane Wilder's tricked out transitional 4004L (note maple fretboard but "lowered" pickups) with a 4005-style pickguard. So post pictures and discuss the magic of Midnight Blue!

Thanks Paul.

A first one before I go to work:

Here's my 2000 4003S/5 MID:

http://rickresource.com/register/user_i ... llsize.jpg

http://rickresource.com/register/user_i ... llsize.jpg

http://rickresource.com/register/user_i ... llsize.jpg

I'm more of a 4 string guy, but I just love this bass. The tone, the look, the feel, the set up, the finish, the fretboard, the neck....all are perfect. It's an amazing instrument.

Sometime after I took these photos I swapped out the chrome-top knobs for the black vintage knobs (Which should be called S knobs!)

Since "Da Blue Beast" was already taken, I named her "The Midnight Special!"

A workday and a visit to the dentist later I have some more time to upload some pictures here.

And some more:

Very nice collection, Bert! I'll be on the lookout for a 4002 MID for you. And a 4005 MID. And a 4003S/8 MID and a 4003S/5 MID. And a .....



BTW, I don't know if this matters to you but I figured out on my 2030GF that if I adjusted the strings closer together on the bridge, I could get them the same as my other Ricks (4003/4001/4002/4005). It doesn't matter to some, but to me it helps a lot to have that familiar Rick string spacing.

rickaddict wrote:Very nice collection, Bert! I'll be on the lookout for a 4002 MID for you. And a 4005 MID. And a 4003S/8 MID and a 4003S/5 MID. And a .....

I'm beginning to think I've had enough Rick's for the time being though. On the other hand an S model in black or blue would be very welcome. And if my 4005 ever gets a repaint it will also be either black or blue. I allready searched for, but did not found, what color number the very darkish blue old Volvo's (164) had as that is my most favorite color ever.

BTW, I don't know if this matters to you but I figured out on my 2030GF that if I adjusted the strings closer together on the bridge, I could get them the same as my other Ricks (4003/4001/4002/4005). It doesn't matter to some, but to me it helps a lot to have that familiar Rick string spacing.

When holding the 2030 first I did feel it was quite a lump of wood. I did notice the spacing adjustment and allready got it closer together. I can imagine my 2030 become a 5string some day. I like fidling around unamplified on my Warwick 5er. But a Rick would be nicer (and more important; still sound good amplified.)

You can really see the differences in Midnight Blue with Bert's trio. That fretless is really dark! Nice collection!

bassduke49 wrote:You can really see the differences in Midnight Blue with Bert's trio. That fretless is really dark! Nice collection!

Thanks Paul!

If I didn't know the FL was MID I would have said it was purple. Which in a way is funny as the FL is in between ('89) both other basses ('86 and '92). Both other basses don't differ much in color.

My MID 4003 (1996 IIRC)



4001V63 MID that I briefly owned

House of Blues. Nice touch! LOL!

gearhed289 wrote:House of Blues. Nice touch! LOL!

Yeah, nice Photoshop work, Brian!

V63MID, originally sold in Japan.

The 4004cii is trans blue.

Ha, Evil Eric B's Midnight Blue is positively electric these days!