The Last Bass Outpost

Gear Discussion Forums => Other Bass Brands => Topic started by: morrow on October 19, 2020, 12:48:09 PM

Title: Riverhead Unicorn ?
Post by: morrow on October 19, 2020, 12:48:09 PM
One popped up on the local kijiji . It was up before , I looked and for some reason passed on it . Popped up again and I might go for it this time around .
Definitely a guilty pleasure bass , they're said to be reasonably well made . Apparently they never resurfaced after the factory burned down . Fairly rare now .
Not expensive .
Title: Re: Riverhead Unicorn ?
Post by: morrow on October 19, 2020, 01:14:07 PM
Damn , looks like it's 34 , I initially thought they were shorter .
More of a shortscale fan these days .
Title: Re: Riverhead Unicorn ?
Post by: Basvarken on October 19, 2020, 02:51:07 PM
Reminds me very much of the Burns Flyte bass. Which I think is very cool  8)

(https://13376708-689899567947305371.preview.editmysite.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/289413_orig.jpg)
Title: Re: Riverhead Unicorn ?
Post by: morrow on October 19, 2020, 03:29:58 PM
Yup, that's definitely the inspiration for the Unicorn . The headless design works nicely with that shape , and there's no mistaking the era that birthed it .
I was thinking if that blues thing doesn't pan out I could always hook up with a new wave band ...
Title: Re: Riverhead Unicorn ?
Post by: morrow on November 05, 2020, 04:13:33 PM
Oh my , it looks like the Unicorn might well be heading my way after all . My friend , that picked it up , has just bought another headless bass and says there's just room in the stable for one . I'll be able to pick it up for what he paid !
I have an internet buddy in Quebec that has one , and would like to pick it up if I'm not crazy about it . I'm like a black hole though , unlikely to sell .
Might be the weekend before I can pick it up .
Title: Re: Riverhead Unicorn ?
Post by: morrow on November 07, 2020, 10:50:41 AM
(https://i.postimg.cc/WzJZ5Pfr/IMG-7839.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)

It landed ! Slightly lowered the bridge , relief was excellent . Grimey , but it should clean up reasonably well . I'll probably oil the fingerboard and polish the frets . It has some odd black roundwounds on it , they have a good thump . Probably leave them on .
It's a strange thing , but I like it ...
Title: Re: Riverhead Unicorn ?
Post by: morrow on November 08, 2020, 06:35:21 AM
Mine , unfortunately , did not come with a case . They originally came with a very funky soft leather bag . Happy to discover it just fits in the Les Paul case I picked up for the DC Jr .
All I need now is some wristbands , a baggy pastel suit  , and a headband .

(https://i.postimg.cc/mrYdFcHH/IMG-7841.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Title: Re: Riverhead Unicorn ?
Post by: ilan on November 09, 2020, 04:31:48 AM
All I need now is some wristbands , a baggy pastel suit  , and a headband .

And a mullet.
Title: Re: Riverhead Unicorn ?
Post by: clankenstein on January 05, 2021, 02:22:56 AM
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/d/d9/Ak79_cover.jpg/220px-Ak79_cover.jpg) That shape reminds me of the ak 79 punk compliation!
Title: Re: Riverhead Unicorn ?
Post by: Basvarken on January 05, 2021, 05:16:02 AM
That's a Burns Flyte
Title: Re: Riverhead Unicorn ?
Post by: Chris P. on January 06, 2021, 02:50:13 AM
I saw a post of a Dutch guy some days ago. I saud Burns Flyte too, but it was one of these.
Title: Re: Riverhead Unicorn ?
Post by: Highlander on January 06, 2021, 08:00:40 AM
Spotted one for sale on Reverb over in California if anyone over your side of the Pond is tempted...
I'm still very happy with my 80's headless bass... Hohner Jack, so much more conventional body shape...
What sort of neck-profile is she...?
Title: Re: Riverhead Unicorn ?
Post by: morrow on January 06, 2021, 08:13:05 AM
I don't know exactly how to describe the neck , similar to a tv logo Pbass , just a bit thinner . Similar taper . I immediately felt at home on it despite the lack of headstock .
Title: Re: Riverhead Unicorn ?
Post by: Highlander on January 06, 2021, 08:52:38 AM
My custom Thunderbird has a neck profile that appears to be replicating a popular early P profile... I tend to think of it as the "flat" type most associated with a J... the Hohner also has an exact match to this profile... probably why I liked this bas so much...
Unless you are used to a headless you will probably have initial issues with the "missing" head... sort of wondering why your hand keeps wanting to be south of the end of the neck... you get used to it pretty quick... enjoy...!
Will be curious to hear the sound against a more trad instrument, for comparison...
Title: Re: Riverhead Unicorn ?
Post by: morrow on January 06, 2021, 09:10:47 AM
I have the mid version with the humbucking pickup with a coil tap in the bridge position .
So there's a little more oomph down there . It gives you a little more variation . I slightly adjusted the pickup heights to balance them .
So it sounds quite good .
I had more issues getting accustomed to using a Flying V than I did the Unicorn . Despite the missing headstock it was quite comfortable right from the start.
Despite the slightly odd look I give it a hearty two thumbs up .
I'm really an old Pbass guy , but I rarely play them these days .
Title: Re: Riverhead Unicorn ?
Post by: Highlander on January 06, 2021, 10:41:43 AM
One of those rare players that's never owned a P... that's me... :mrgreen:
Title: Re: Riverhead Unicorn ?
Post by: Rob on January 06, 2021, 02:08:28 PM
One of those rare players that's never owned a P... that's me... :mrgreen:

There IS still time Kenny.
Title: Re: Riverhead Unicorn ?
Post by: Highlander on January 06, 2021, 05:13:49 PM
With my record for finishing off projects, Rob...?

Mind you, my daughter has a "Ho-P" that I have played... same neck profile, btw... :mrgreen:
Title: Re: Riverhead Unicorn ?
Post by: morrow on January 07, 2021, 07:14:18 AM
For many years I was a working bassplayer with just one bass , a 72 Pbass . It was pristine when I bought it , looks like it went through the Boer War now .
And after about twenty years or so , I started buying other basses . I guess there's just over twenty of them now , scattered around the house .
Still have three Pbasses , including my original 72 . Another with flats , and a 51 reissue .
But now I generally use just about anything but a Pbass . I like shortscales .
Probably should thin out the pile , but I'm in no rush .
Title: Re: Riverhead Unicorn ?
Post by: Highlander on January 07, 2021, 08:31:38 AM
You just have to post a pic of that '72... :mrgreen:
Title: Re: Riverhead Unicorn ?
Post by: morrow on January 07, 2021, 01:53:14 PM
(https://i.postimg.cc/Jhd3gB6Z/IMG-2262.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)


There's more wear on the back ...
Title: Re: Riverhead Unicorn ?
Post by: Highlander on January 07, 2021, 03:39:23 PM
Gorgeous... now that is "Mojo"...  especially as it's all home-grown... :mrgreen:
Title: Re: Riverhead Unicorn ?
Post by: morrow on January 07, 2021, 04:06:58 PM
My thumbnail wore that spot by the bridge . It's actually fairly deep .