The Last Bass Outpost

Gear Discussion Forums => Rickenbacker Basses => Topic started by: LoEndMaestro on January 08, 2014, 11:06:40 AM

Title: Greetings & Salutations
Post by: LoEndMaestro on January 08, 2014, 11:06:40 AM
Hello, I recently introduced myself to The Last Bass Outpost via the Gibson Bass section....
They're crazy over there. Lots of talk about cross dressing, shaving squirrels, then like clockwork this German dude shows up and everybody starts bowing and asking forgiveness. It's weird.
Wait, they can't read this stuff from over there can they?!


I kid, I kid. I got a very warm reception over there, so I thought I'd pop in on this side and say hi. I'm a long time lurker here, but am a contributing member on the RRF and TalkBass Forums. Hopefully some of you will recognize me. ;)

My Rickenbacker count is equal to my Gibson tally, so here we go.

Below you'll find my 1974 Fireglo 4001, my 1978 Walnut 3001, and my 2003 Montezuma Brown 4003. Looking forward to being part of the clanky goodness here.

(http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g129/LoEndMaestro/2014-01-08124742.jpg) (http://s55.photobucket.com/user/LoEndMaestro/media/2014-01-08124742.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Greetings & Salutations
Post by: ilan on January 08, 2014, 11:14:02 AM
Great to see you here, Chris. Cool Rics you have there.
Title: Re: Greetings & Salutations
Post by: chromium on January 08, 2014, 03:10:54 PM
Wait.. what?  Gibson makes basses?!

Cool Rics!  Nice top on that 3001.
Title: Re: Greetings & Salutations
Post by: LoEndMaestro on January 08, 2014, 03:28:04 PM
Thanks! The back of that bass is even prettier. It actually made it into Paul Boyers recent book.
Title: Re: Greetings & Salutations
Post by: Pilgrim on January 08, 2014, 04:04:08 PM
I like that 3001!  Different.
Title: Re: Greetings & Salutations
Post by: LoEndMaestro on January 08, 2014, 05:02:52 PM
Thanks.
It's actually my favorite of the bunch. (Not a popular thing to say....like I care.) It's super heavy and nowhere near as elegant as the 4001/4003, but more fundamentals....to my ears at least.

Like a pissed off P-Bass....with flame.


(http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g129/LoEndMaestro/P1000828.jpg) (http://s55.photobucket.com/user/LoEndMaestro/media/P1000828.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Greetings & Salutations
Post by: gearHed289 on January 09, 2014, 08:41:09 AM
Cool, I'm a 3 Ric owner as well. Nice variety you've got there! I know everyone goes gaga over vintage horseshoes and toasters, but I really like the current high gains, and the first run of toaster reissues, which were wound much hotter (around 11K) than the "scatterwound" ones.

(https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/527042_3786049128275_192379067_n.jpg)

Looks like I had HB1s on my main black one in this pic, but it is now back to a '92 toaster and '06 high gain, and staying that way!
Title: Re: Greetings & Salutations
Post by: LoEndMaestro on January 09, 2014, 09:02:30 AM
Nice trio! I love the CS.

And I LUST after that 4008. Oof.
Title: Re: Greetings & Salutations
Post by: LoEndMaestro on January 09, 2014, 09:06:02 AM
I almost got a toaster on that 4003, but changed my mind at the last minute....sometimes I regret it. What date range would you say the hotter toasters were available? I'd like to drop one in that Monty someday.
Title: Re: Greetings & Salutations
Post by: Paul Boyer on January 09, 2014, 06:01:33 PM
Nice trio! I love the CS.

And I LUST after that 4008. Oof.

Oops, not a 4008, but a 4003S/8. You can tell by the unbound neck and a few other details (they're in the book!).
Title: Re: Greetings & Salutations
Post by: LoEndMaestro on January 09, 2014, 07:53:16 PM
Of course that's what I meant. I was just testing you.... ;)
Title: Re: Greetings & Salutations
Post by: gearHed289 on January 10, 2014, 08:15:10 AM
Yup, 4003S/8.  8)

I'm not sure what the timeline was on the "hot" toasters. I did a quick search and found this - http://www.rickenbacker.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=13273

They put out TONS of low end. I like the 7.4K version too. They blend well with the older (pre 90s?) high gains.
Title: Re: Greetings & Salutations
Post by: chromium on January 10, 2014, 01:08:00 PM
I had triplets for a while as well... Couldn't justify hanging onto both 4001s, though.  I sold the '78 MG for a Mockingbird - which I seem to be playing often these days.  I had that bass upwards of 25 years!

The '73 and '95 s/8 remain

(http://www.hillscloud.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/DSCF0019-1024x640.jpg)




Title: Re: Greetings & Salutations
Post by: hieronymous on January 10, 2014, 02:15:03 PM
Cool Rics!  Nice top on that 3001.

+1 - I think Walnut/Autumnglo is my favorite Ric color, and the wood on that one is great.

I've got three Rics too, but two live on the opposite coast. One is a 4003S/8, so maybe I'll post a pic later...
Title: Re: Greetings & Salutations
Post by: the mojo hobo on January 10, 2014, 04:49:30 PM
Interesting thing on the pool table picture. The pickup selector switch is in a different position on each bass. I really like the FireGlo on the s/8.

There was a time when I had 3 4003s but traded up to an early v63, nice dark FireGlo of course.
Title: Re: Greetings & Salutations
Post by: Highlander on January 11, 2014, 05:34:04 AM
I've always hankered after a Rick; could never justify the expense... Joe, I can't imagine selling an instrument I'd owned for a 1/4C...

The PC I've had for nearly 37, the RD for 35, the Jack for 27 years, and the Hiwatt/Marshall slope/SG sixer I bought as a bundle in the late 70's - I'd have to be hard pressed to part with any of them...
Title: Re: Greetings & Salutations
Post by: LoEndMaestro on January 11, 2014, 07:50:40 AM
The difference between my 4001 and 4003 goes beyond the traditional differences in these models. The bridge pickup died on the 4001 a few years ago & Lindy Fralin rewound it for me. I also had the .0047 cap yanked at the same time and lawdy mama...does it scream.
Title: Re: Greetings & Salutations
Post by: LoEndMaestro on January 11, 2014, 07:53:22 AM
And here's a pic of the back of the 3001....


(http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g129/LoEndMaestro/3001back2.jpg) (http://s55.photobucket.com/user/LoEndMaestro/media/3001back2.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Greetings & Salutations
Post by: chromium on January 11, 2014, 03:26:13 PM
Niiice  8)

I prefer the sound of the bridge pickup wide open as well.  I left the caps in both 4001s, but ran wire to bypass them.  Interesting that the s/8 didn't appear to ever have a cap (is that an "s" thing?  not sure..)


Interesting thing on the pool table picture. The pickup selector switch is in a different position on each bass. I really like the FireGlo on the s/8.

There was a time when I had 3 4003s but traded up to an early v63, nice dark FireGlo of course.

Didn't notice that!  
I tend to lean on the neck pickup in the band, and sometimes toggle the neck+bridge for extra bite.  The bridge alone does sound nice on the s8 at times... jangly!


Joe, I can't imagine selling an instrument I'd owned for a 1/4C...

Yeah it felt a little weird to let go of it, but I just wasn't playing it anymore.  I sold my old Stingray too - which I think I had even longer than the Ric.  

I tend to hit critical mass, and then when stuff isn't getting played it's time for it to sail on - even the ones with tenure.  Nothing is safe here!   :) :vader:
Title: Re: Greetings & Salutations
Post by: Highlander on January 12, 2014, 09:33:16 AM
Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today, to find the highest bidder... ;)
Title: Re: Greetings & Salutations
Post by: gearHed289 on January 13, 2014, 09:04:03 AM
I prefer the sound of the bridge pickup wide open as well.  I left the caps in both 4001s, but ran wire to bypass them.  Interesting that the s/8 didn't appear to ever have a cap (is that an "s" thing?  not sure..)

They stopped putting the cap in at some point. Mid 80s? None of mine (89, 92, 93) have it. Now it's back, but there's a push/pull on one of the pots to take it out of the signal path if you want.
Title: Re: Greetings & Salutations
Post by: ilan on January 13, 2014, 02:10:24 PM
The cap was dropped in 1985.