Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hey Everyone!

So I'm in the market for a bass.. and I'm pretty much set on a hollowbody.

I'm a guitarist. This is going to used for a recording bass so I want something that sounds / plays great and has a bit of range for as cheap as possible.

So as much as I want a 4005... it ain't gonna happen. haha

I've seen these Epi basses used by some bands and I always thought they were vintage.

NO guitar stores anywhere near me has these things stock.. so I haven't been able to play them.

Anyone here have any experience with these?

Or maybe can recommend something cheaper?

Thanks!!

Link for those interested..
http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend.co ... =26044246

I would want black

I did try a JC bass once, sounded great, so go for it.

I like the look of them - especially in gold top, what's the sound like Jeff? I've got a re-issue Rivoli which really thumps, but is none too subtle.

I only played it briefly but the "tone" switch makes a big difference in the brightness of the sound with a fairly Rick-like tone at the brightest setting. The tone is not the expected dark, thuddy, hollowbody tone. I like the JG black one myself.

there's a set-neck ibanez thats quite nice-usually even less expensive than the epi. also,i recommend danelectro,especially their long scale basses,like the hodad,they have a great hollow body sound with a lot of depth and twang.....i've owned the epi jc ($500),the iby($350),and a lakland hollow body($1200),the lakland was the best and most versatile one overall. i have sold all of them and still own and enjoy the hodad i picked up for $175.

These are well worth a look too: http://www.modguitars.com/bass_new_tp4.shtml

A few folks on this forum have Waterstones (if not this model) and they are great value. They also have Rickish pickup spacing...

Eden.

woodyng wrote:i...still own and enjoy the hodad i picked up for $175.

Hmm, that's what I paid for my 4005WB! I think you got ripped off!

yes,jeffrey,when dinosaurs roamed the earth......

I owned this one for a short time (had to sell it to make room for something else) and loved it!
Lakland Skyline Hollowbody

I owned a Les Paul Signature bass in the early 80s - the basis for the Epi JC. It had a neck so massive that it was more like a treetrunk than a baseball bat... and it sounded like I was playing underwater whenever I used it - the old ones had that stupid low impedence electronics thing that only 1% of players could work out. It also weighed so much the stage would sag wherever I was set up. It looked fabulous though... I hope they have improved on the concept... I flipped mine very quickly and bought a fretless Maton....

jps wrote:I only played it briefly but the "tone" switch makes a big difference in the brightness of the sound with a fairly Rick-like tone at the brightest setting. The tone is not the expected dark, thuddy, hollowbody tone. I like the JG black one myself.

Thanks Jeff, that's interesting news. Hey, haven't you got another really nice bass in black JG? ...cue picture opportunity!

godber wrote:

jps wrote:I only played it briefly but the "tone" switch makes a big difference in the brightness of the sound with a fairly Rick-like tone at the brightest setting. The tone is not the expected dark, thuddy, hollowbody tone. I like the JG black one myself.

Thanks Jeff, that's interesting news. Hey, haven't you got another really nice bass in black JG? ...cue picture opportunity!

antipodean wrote:I owned a Les Paul Signature bass in the early 80s - the basis for the Epi JC. It had a neck so massive that it was more like a treetrunk than a baseball bat... and it sounded like I was playing underwater whenever I used it - the old ones had that stupid low impedence electronics thing that only 1% of players could work out. It also weighed so much the stage would sag wherever I was set up.

That "stupid low impedance thing" was SOTA when it appeared on the scene, and, in fact, the low impedance Personal model was Les' preferred guitar. He played one until the day he passed on. This setup was intended for DI; each instrument was provided with a special transformer-equipped step-up cable for use with amplifiers.

As far as being able to figure it out, it came with a fairly comprehesive (for its day--1969-71) manual. What confused non-readers was the decade switch, which offered lots of different tonal variations besides the usual pickup selector/tone control thing.







Pretty sophisticated in the days pre-active electronics, and a souvenir of Les' clout with Gibson and his life as an inveterate tinkerer...

And, yeah, the neck was a stump, and it did weigh a ton...I think mine was better than 12 pounds.

jps wrote:

godber wrote:

jps wrote:I only played it briefly but the "tone" switch makes a big difference in the brightness of the sound with a fairly Rick-like tone at the brightest setting. The tone is not the expected dark, thuddy, hollowbody tone. I like the JG black one myself.

Thanks Jeff, that's interesting news. Hey, haven't you got another really nice bass in black JG? ...cue picture opportunity!

I set 'em up, you knock 'em down. Love it Jeff, love it.