31
Rickenbacker Basses / Re: They'll go to great lengths to avoid the use of the word SUNBURST
« on: November 05, 2016, 11:51:26 AM »
That just doesn't look right.
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32
Other Bass Brands / Re: Godin Shifter bass?
« on: November 05, 2016, 11:48:07 AM »Gibson and Rickenbacker sales seem to be fine, but Musicman may be in decline, sorry to say. Gone are the days when most of their sales were basses. Now their sales are about 70% guitars (according to Sterling Ball), and they're trying various changes to increase sales. In the past few years they've added a neck-through Stingray and "classic" Rays and Sterlings (strung through body and with 7 1/4" FB radius), among others. I see the Caprice and the Cutlass (single P pickup - nothing like the original Cutlass) as another long shot.
I was a longtime owner of EBMM Stingray 5 and Sterling 5 basses and loved them but over time I sold mine off for various reasons. I'd love to own another one but the prices are through the roof and I won't pay that kind of money for one. So unless I happen upon a good used one in the configuration I want (HH & Rosewood) or they drop their prices (which I know they won't do) I'll continue on using my Schecter and Ibanez 5-string basses as my go to instruments. I believe that I've bought my last 4 string bass. Photos to come on this very unusual bass.
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33
Rickenbacker Basses / Re: Cool Rics on eBay
« on: August 29, 2016, 04:55:30 PM »
During the late 80's Ric dealers couldn't give that colour combination away. You've really gotta love it to spend that kind of money on one. Personally I still find nothing attractive about it.
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34
Rickenbacker Basses / Re: bass cap?
« on: March 26, 2016, 06:38:04 AM »
I think you're referring to the .0047 cap that's positioned between the 3-way toggle switch and the bridge p/u. It cuts 50% of the low tone out of the signal for the bridge p/u only.
Lot's of 4001 owners will either physically remove it or "bypass it" by simply soldering in a piece of wire at the same contact points (switch and p/u).
When bypassed or removed, the bridge p/u comes to life adding lots more bottom end from the bridge p/u.
The newer 4003 models have the push/pull function on them to give the player the option of either setting.
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Lot's of 4001 owners will either physically remove it or "bypass it" by simply soldering in a piece of wire at the same contact points (switch and p/u).
When bypassed or removed, the bridge p/u comes to life adding lots more bottom end from the bridge p/u.
The newer 4003 models have the push/pull function on them to give the player the option of either setting.
TD
35
Other Bass Brands / Re: New Höfner 500/8 Verythin
« on: March 12, 2016, 11:38:12 AM »I will be very surprised if these were made in Germany.
They're made in China for Hofner, most likely by Dae Won Musical Instruments.
http://www.hofner-guitars.com/guitars-basses/electric-basses/other-bass/hct-500-8-dc.html
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36
Bass Amps & Effects / Re: Traynor YBA 300 Starts out quiet and when it warms up loud 60HZ humm
« on: February 17, 2016, 02:48:02 PM »
What Mark said, but if you need help, contact Traynor through their website and they'll help you out.
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37
Rickenbacker Basses / Re: Jeff Rath's 4- to 5-string conversions
« on: January 02, 2016, 08:32:18 AM »
My take of this is that I think he's trying to fill a nice market that RIC has chosen not to address (for a host of reasons). There are very few major manufactures out there today who don't offer a 5 string bass in their product line up. Since RIC doesn't and there's definitely bass players out there who would love to have a 5 string RIC, Jeff's modified 4 to 5 conversion is attractive to those players and they'll pay what every the asking price is just to own one.
Personally, I bought a new 4003S/5 back in 1998 and the string spacing was so tight that it was almost unplayable. Fortunately for me that bass quickly developed finish problems which allowed me to return it for 100% refund. The 4 to 5 conversion must have even tighter string spacing than the 4003S/5 since the neck width of a 4003 is 1/16" narrower than the neck of a 4003S/5.
Ultimately until RIC comes up with a newly designed 5-string bass I can see there being a small but steady market for the 4 to 5 conversion RIC's. And just because JH may be about to retire, I wouldn't expect anything new to be introduced by his son Ben for quite sometime.
TD
Personally, I bought a new 4003S/5 back in 1998 and the string spacing was so tight that it was almost unplayable. Fortunately for me that bass quickly developed finish problems which allowed me to return it for 100% refund. The 4 to 5 conversion must have even tighter string spacing than the 4003S/5 since the neck width of a 4003 is 1/16" narrower than the neck of a 4003S/5.
Ultimately until RIC comes up with a newly designed 5-string bass I can see there being a small but steady market for the 4 to 5 conversion RIC's. And just because JH may be about to retire, I wouldn't expect anything new to be introduced by his son Ben for quite sometime.
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38
Other Bass Brands / Re: New Höfner 500/8 Verythin
« on: December 24, 2015, 06:15:26 PM »Oops, since you didn't say it was an import, I figured this new one was German-made.
Dave, the Hofner news letter didn't say where the 500/8 is going to be made, but it did lead one to believe that it was to be German made. All of the other models announced were German, so I assume this one will be to. There was no mention of it being a Contemporary Series instrument as you can see in the announcement below that Nick Wass sent out. You would have thought that they would have mentioned it if it was one.
"Verythin Longscale Bass
New for 2016 is the Verythin 500/8 longscale bass. With a 34" scale length (instead of the usual 30" as found on the 500/7 model) this offers those bass players used to longscale bass the opportunity to play a great semi-acoustic instrument.
This model features a spruce centre block, twin humbucking pickups, stop tailpiece and fully adjustable bridge, conical string spacing. Two tone and two volume controls. Finish is a pleasing cherry sunburst.
This is due to be in stores in Europe around April while it is already available in the USA and Japan."
I'll consider it as being German made until it's announced otherwise.
TD
39
Rickenbacker Basses / Re: Cool Rics on eBay
« on: December 23, 2015, 01:49:52 PM »The pink on some of those - like the back on this one - always struck me as resembling raw meat...
I always referred to them as Pinkglo, probably my least favourite RIC finish.
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40
Other Bass Brands / Re: New Höfner 500/8 Verythin
« on: December 23, 2015, 01:46:46 PM »
I can just imagine how much they're going to be asking for this. The price of a new 500/1v64 is now $4,000.00 + tax in this country which is an amount that I would never pay for one especially when I can remember paying $235.00 back in the day for a new one. As much as I might love to have one of the new 500/8 long scale Verythin basses, I can't see it happening. I'll stay with my semi-acoustic Hagstrom Concord.
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41
Other Bass Brands / Re: Incoming Hollow Body, '66 Harmony H-22
« on: December 13, 2015, 07:42:26 PM »There's a 4-string Concord on Ebay now pushing $1000...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hagstrom-Concord-bass-guitar-late-sixties-extremely-rare-/291580556050?hash=item43e38e3312:g:WX8AAOSw42JWEDGT
Wow, that's $1360.00 Cdn. I paid a lot less than that for mine. This one's from production run 696 which produced 1000 of them in 67. The serial number appears to have been cloned out of the photos of the steel back plate but you can tell by the bridge.
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42
Other Bass Brands / Re: Incoming Hollow Body, '66 Harmony H-22
« on: December 12, 2015, 08:04:53 AM »Carlo, that H-22 looks to be in great shape and to have the OSSC with it in the same condition is a rare find. Congrats on your score!
I use to have an H-22 many years ago and have recently been hankering for a "true semi acoustic" bass to noodle around the house with. The H-22's I found online seemed overly expensive to me for what they were. My alternative was an original Swedish Hagstrom Concord, another bass that I've also owned in the past and really enjoyed.
Luckily I found a 1967 Hagstrom Concord for sale about 2.5 hours away from me by car. I made an offer subject to a hands on inspection which was accepted. It's condition was very good and the price was quite reasonable, so I bought it. I own a copy of Hagstrom`s production records with all serial numbers of every instrument they made, so it was easy for me to trace it which was how I was able to see that it was made in 67. Here`s a photo.
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43
Other Bass Brands / Re: NBD Klira 162
« on: September 10, 2015, 01:54:01 PM »
You're right about the "Klira" logo on the headstock Scott, it's been added onto the bass by a previous owner. The logo should be like this.
You're also correct about Klira finishes, they tend to be brownish yellow and lack much if any red. You'll find the neck on your bass is permanently glued. The purpose of the single bolt is to support the neck/body joint. The Twen Star 356 has 4 bolts and a steel neck plate which eliminates the need for glue in that model.
If you decide to remove the painted Klira logo on the headstock of your bass, I have a NOS Klira truss rod cover with the Klira logo on it available.
TD
You're also correct about Klira finishes, they tend to be brownish yellow and lack much if any red. You'll find the neck on your bass is permanently glued. The purpose of the single bolt is to support the neck/body joint. The Twen Star 356 has 4 bolts and a steel neck plate which eliminates the need for glue in that model.
If you decide to remove the painted Klira logo on the headstock of your bass, I have a NOS Klira truss rod cover with the Klira logo on it available.
TD
44
The Bass Zone / Re: Snakes! Guillotines! Electric Chairs! My Adventures in the Alice Cooper Group
« on: July 20, 2015, 06:03:42 PM »I've been planning on buying a copy of this. But I keep on forgetting too. Thx for the reminder.
TD
My copy of Dennis' book arrived in the mail today. I've got a couple of weeks off coming, think I'll have a couple of pints and read the book. It's got some great photos of the band in it.
Love it To Death is one of my favourite LP's, think I'll have a listen.
TD
45
Other Bass Brands / Re: Looks like the 20/20 has company..........
« on: July 13, 2015, 06:00:56 AM »
Eastwood Guitars just re-issued their La Baye 2x4 bass version last month as part of their custom shop series.
http://eastwoodcustoms.com/projects/la-baye-2x4-bass/
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http://eastwoodcustoms.com/projects/la-baye-2x4-bass/
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