Rick's Fine '52

Very, very tasty.

I've heard dozens of different 'official' quotes. To be honest, unless you are personally importing or exporting, or even shipping items that contain these materials, then you have nothing to worry about. I always use a third party, and it will be their job to sort the papers. If no-one gets any permissions, then no more instruments containing those materials will enter or leave these shores, which would be a great shame. I'm yet to hear of any case of anyone having an issue, although i suspect its only a matter of time.......can of worms time methinks!

[size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]If you can demonstrate a chain of custody (or ownership), since CITES was introduced, then its ok. You may need a permit to 'move' an instrument, depending where you're coming from, or going to. The key is to check, get some history on your instrument, and if there is no intended intent to modify the endangered component, it should be ok, here's some more;[/font][/size] [color=#666666] [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]The CITES secretariat in Geneva were contacted for practical advice from musicians, and a fellow who preferred to be identified only as “spokesperson said. "Travelers,” he told me, “should be most concerned when traveling in or out of the U.S., E.U., Australia or Japan because those countries have the strictest enforcement efforts.” “And,” he added, “ You’ve got to pay very close attention to the legal requirements”[/font][/size][/color] [color=#666666] [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]The rule: To move one of the listed species across the border of one of the 172 signatories, you’ll need an export permit, which will be granted only if “a Scientific Authority of the State of export has advised that such export will not be detrimental to the survival of that species” (This has been accepted in the case of instruments of a vintage nature), and the item “was not obtained in contravention of the laws of that State for the protection of fauna and flora.”, since those laws existed. In addition, you’ll need an import permit from the destination country, obtainable upon proof that importation isn’t for “primarily commercial purposes.”[/font][/size][/color] [color=#666666] [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]So, get your papers, say its for personal use, and it should be ok, although it may be a concern for some.[/font][/size][/color]

Not sure if this has been posted before, but here's a little glimpse into Norm's collection, some fine vintage stuff here, and that's just the tip of the iceberg. I'd love to spend a few days looking through that lot, although I did manage to prize the stack knob from him shown in this video. Not sure he'd be happy watching the manhandling of some of them though?? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASAhl8cxB2A http://youtu.be/ASAhl8cxB2A https://i.ytimg.com/vi_webp/ASAhl8cxB2A/mqdefault.webp

[quote name='dood' timestamp='1421599364' post='2663105'] Wasn't the Riccie version just slanted in one direction though? Not strickly a fan-fret system and the benefits that brings in terms of a longer scale length for the lower strings, but just to ease the playing angle or something? I've not seen the Fender version, but I do know that Novak has customised strats to take the full fan fret system. [/quote] No, the Rick was fanned like a Dingwall, although they did make a slanted version too, they did several models in fact. The fender version was just slanted frets on the Marauder, in 1966. Here's some example pics, but google images is a good enough source for similar; [url="http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb290/rosesguitar_2007/rickfanned_zps9c4e93a0.jpg"]http://i208.photobuc...zps9c4e93a0.jpg[/url] [url="http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb290/rosesguitar_2007/rickfanned_zps9c4e93a0.jpg"]http://i208.photobuc...zps9c4e93a0.jpg[/url] [url="http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb290/rosesguitar_2007/rickfanned_zps9c4e93a0.jpg"]http://i208.photobuc...zps9c4e93a0.jpg[/url] (Photobucket copy isn't working, so you'll have to click it, sorry)

Fullerton reissue from 1982. if the poles are flat then its a '62 P reissue. Nice set of pickups, pretty sought after.

[quote name='ead' timestamp='1420998146' post='2655998'] I quite enjoyed them, but moved mine on in the end. I can't quite get the idea of the Super P & J where the scale length on the upper strings is shorter than a Fender. Presumable to go for heavier strings, seems to fly in the face of the purpose of a Dingwall. [/quote] This, plus.... Fender and Rickenbacker have both tried fanned frets in the 60's, soon ditched. Not for me, but each to their own. You defo need to try before you buy i reckon though, as its clearly not everyones taste.

The Fender Bass-an Illustrated History by Black & Molinaro, as stated above is the best all bass book. The Fender Bass by Klaus Blasquiz is pretty poor, cheap....for a reason! Fender-The sound heard around the world by Smith, is a good Fender company history reference book Fender-The golden age by Kelly is really good book showing all of Fenders work from '46 -'70. Fender-The inside story by Forest White is another good Fender history book Fender Precision Basses '51 to '54 by Detlef is also great, but only covers the earliest models How the Fender Bass changed the World by Jim Roberts is good, but again lots of reference and history lots of others, but they are the mainstream ones I would recommend the top one, it pretty much covers everything you are likely to need, on Fender basses, great detail, reference, dating info, and of course some fine GAS inducing pics.

[quote name='Beedster' timestamp='1420668946' post='2652090'] £50 says scam. Even if not, as someone who's sold a thing or two on here, if in the same situation I'd decline the sale and seek a more straight forward deal. Good luck either way. C [/quote] More straightforward than cash on collection? Is there one? I think this thread got people over excited. The only way i do business, if i dont know the person, is cash on collection/delivery. In my experience, which is considerable, it is the only safe way to trade. Just make sure the cash is legit. We should be more trusting of people methinks.

I dont think its odd at all. If an instrument is well looked after, and not gigged every day, then it should be in this condition. The '52 I owned until recently was in near mint condition, and the '53 I now have is the same, well looked after instruments, which is why they command big money, the same as any well kept antiquity. Out of thousands of examples produced, to find a dozen or so still in top condition is not that unusual, imho. Not everyone gigs their gear either. That was also the same back in the 50's. I stopped gigging in '94, so for the past 20 years, my basses have been in cases, for the most part, so have not aged at all in that time. If someone bought a bass in the 50's, and played in their houses every couple of weeks for an hour, and it was in a case, it would be still almost mint, with probably some light lacquer checking. The '52 I had was never kept in its gig bag as they are not very protective, so was always kept in a hard tweed case for the majority of its life.

I had a similar dealing about 5 years ago with a Russian buyer, no problems either. To be honest, if they ahve the cash, then sell them the head, its no different to any other cash on collection sale. The fact its a Polish middle-man, I think is irrelevant. But, as has been muted, if the guy turns up and says theres a last minute problem, just turn away. And, get a test pen from a bank for testing notes. I know Barclays give you them, because i've got several over recent years, very quick peace of mind.

[quote name='JamesBass' timestamp='1420399313' post='2648932'] Cheers Rick! Just out of curiosity where do you go for your necks? [/quote] I'm still searching for the right spec Jazz neck for one of them, and the other was for a '66 slab precision, and had to be a maple-cap neck, which are very scarce, so i had to get that from a Roger Waters signature reissue. Good, vintage correct necks are surprisingly hard to get hold of!?!

Great spot, what a fab example. Not a bad price either imo. It does annoy me when people put the bridge covers on the wrong way round though!! Also, as has been mentioned, sloppy stringing, for a 20k bass! I'm trying to convince Detlef to do a second edition of his book, as there are quite a few great examples not included in his first issue.

[quote name='JamesBass' timestamp='1420395002' post='2648825'] Is that 2 bodies or 2 full builds? [/quote] Just bodies, i prefer to do the rest myself, and it keeps build costs down.

MJT, in my opinion, do the best relic paintjobs around. Genuine checking, unlike anything i've seen elsewhere or currently available. I've bought 2 in the past, both exceptional.

Try something like this, theres lotsof different styles available; http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=221554637961

[quote name='Bassman Steve' timestamp='1419108146' post='2636748'] May I ask the serial number? I'm almost certain my '53 (#0189) had a neck date of 26/3/53. [/quote] its #1025

[quote name='bluejay' timestamp='1415385470' post='2599875'] Great stuff, Nik and Colin While I'm sifting through the pics from the bash, I feel I really have to post one of Chimike with his awesome, still unfinished amp/cab jobby. It's the one at the centre of the group photo above, and we had stuck on the amp a piece of paper with "Ped" written on it! [/quote] I don't think I've ever seen someone dress in attire that deliberately colour matches their amp.....works well, i may try that, i'm sure i have an old tweed coat somewhere! (Lovely acoustic rig btw!!)

[quote name='JamesBass' timestamp='1418862057' post='2634321'] Jesus! I really don't know how you manage to find these basses!? That 53 and 55 are gorgeous! How does the 53 compare to your 53 build? Likewise, how does the 66 compare to the 66 build you did? [/quote] Thanks. Found them by simply searching. The '53 was from Rumbleseat in NYC, and the '55 from Fiesta in California. The '53 and '66 are very comparable to my build versions, although alot of effort went into sourcing as many original parts as possible when assembling them, for that aim. You can never replicate the 'feel', and 'vibe' of an original though, but for around 10% the cost of a real one, they represent great value, and were very rewarding and enjoyable putting them together.

Here's my new 'old' '53, barely a mark on it;

[quote name='gary mac' timestamp='1418831284' post='2633817'] Wow Rick, that is handsome. Give me a shout if you decide to move it on. Meanwhile, hope you enjoy it [/quote] Thanks Gary, will do, and yes, I will/am!