Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=41439&item=3753959808&rd=1

I was looking at the great 4001 White Ricky and right below it was this one. Just thought I would post this one I know some of you guy's play guitar too! Gotta get back on top of the money situation and keep my mind on an 8 string. I wish these guy's would stop running all this great stuff !

Speaking of great stuff! I found a real nice 12 string Hammer bass (black) how hard is this to control? I have played an 8 before and I found it quite playable with my pick but I am wondering about three strings? It's gotta take a while to get the feel for one of these and I figure that headstock has gotta weigh ten lbs!

Anyone play one of these?

Randy

Randy,
I use a Hamer 12 every gig, its not much harder to play than an 8, I do use a pick, though. Its just takes a little getting used to, and yes, the neck is like a divining rod. (Heads straight to the floor if you let it go). I guess there is a lot of hardware up there!
But the sound, like thunder. Worth the weight. I used to use it all the time, but now I find myself playing it on songs that I need to "fill out" the sound of our 3-pc. band. Usually the slower ones, its hard to do super-fast runs on it cleanly.

My Hamer 12 was my main bass in a band a few years back, in fact I had two, they were all I played. They're short scale so the neck didn't dive. Funny enuff, we were quite popular in Japan. Never played Budokan tho'.
I suggest you check out:
12stringbass.com

Ronn, not one of YOURS, is it? If so, I'd like to make you an offer. I have always wanted a Quad Bass, but from what I understand, there are maybe 10 of em in the world?

Unfortunately no. Just thought since we were talking about 12s I'd post a photo of the very first 12-string bass. Mine are/were that body shape tho'. I sold the black one when the band broke up, but I still have the salmon blush one. It's an early one as it has the large Hamer logo on the headstock. I'd like to find an old Hamer 8-string like Nick Lowe's.

that needs checkered binding!

I'm still on the lookout for a B12S, (or a B12A!)its the only thing that could make me think about changing 12's. I love the one I have now, but that's the one I always really wanted.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=4713&item=3754462379&rd=1

Randy, this might be a good one to try just to see how you like playing one...not too much cash!

Thanks Ronn I'll bet there are some real neat ways to tune those strings! I have a feeling this thing sounds like it's own band once it gets going!

I have another sound question I will post in another thread? For now I am going to take the plunge and set a few bucks asside for the one I found.

The control knobs on the photo you posted? Is that why Steve called this a Quad? I see the one pickup has three seperate magnet rows. The one I am after has two powered pickups not quite the same as yours? Nice man! Can I ask what band you were in?
I am intrigued?
I have come a long way in a real short time but I have a long way to go before I get this band on the road even locally. But I am determined, and the song list we have is getting quite impressive. I'll be honest I have one veteran musician in the bunch, and this is unfortunatly not me, I am glad I caught him at a time when he is settled down and willing to take the time to help me put this bunch of nut's together. There just is no substitute for experience.

Steve I saw the Robelli (how do you spell that thing?) just can't get past the silver color and I sure hate at my age to buy something I know I will want to sell in a while to get what I want. I figure am going to by instruments once this time around.



Thanks guy's Randy

The Quad bass had a seperate volume and tone control for EACH STRING, and a seperate output for EACH STRING. Talk about a wiring nightmare!

Here is more on that one, for those interested...

The Hamer Quad Bass is the "Grand Daddy" of all 12-string basses. It has a separate pickup for each of the 4 group of strings. The first two had a maple with a mahogany body and neck. Others had an all-maple body construction. There are pre-amp and tone controls in a recessed panel on the top for each of the group of string's output. The Quad had a single truss rod. The classic body, neck and distinctive split "V" headstock designs of the Quad were almost all incorporated into the model B12S. There was at least one Quad made in a Standard (Explorer) body style, done for Who bassist John Entwistle.
Each group of strings had its own pickup, volume, treble boost and cut, bass boost and cut and a switch to select the frequency the EQ worked at.
Below is a pic of the insane control cavity.


Below is a pic of the one made for Entwistle. It was not in his possession at the time of his death. (No one seems to know what happened to it.)