Rick's Fine '52

I just want to buy this, string it up, and see if I can manage to tension the strings enough to tune it, before the thing falls apart!, and what will break first, the headstock, or the neck heel joint? [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/old-aria-acostic-bass-guitar-with-original-pick-up-/160897797239?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item2576418c77"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/old-aria-acostic-bass-guitar-with-original-pick-up-/160897797239?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item2576418c77[/url] The seller will add more information in the near future!! Better hurry up before it go's 'TWANG'!

[quote name='Clarky' timestamp='1349381301' post='1825652'] Paging Ricks Fine 52! [/quote] incoming...beep...beep.... This has been on for a while, it started at a very optimistic £5k. Some info on the advertised bass. He did use this on the tracks stated, thats true. However, it's not the bass he's playing in the link within the ad. I don't recall ever seeing Mani play a slot head EB3 live, and the one at Atlanta is a solid head, single humbucker EB3. The one advertised is a later twin pickup slot head. I mentioned this to the seller, and received no reply. I also asked how he came to possess it...again, no reply. Its also had a repaired neck break. I'm sure its Mani's bass of course, and was used on the tracks, as Mani himself has clearly said this. All in all, a 70's slot head EB3 is probably the least desirable model, worth around £700. The neck break makes it worth around £400. The Mani connection?? Well, thats subjective, and despite Mani being one of [i]my[/i] bass idols, for varying reasons, lets be honest here, it ain't Macca's 500/1 is it!! Personally, I'd love it, and have made him what I consider is a reasonable offer, all things considered. But it's not worth anywhere near £2k to me, and I'm his biggest fan, and a bass player, and vintage bass collector, but £2k?, no, not for me. The best thing about the ad though, is the Atlanta link, now infamous of course, for Mani getting, shall we say, frustrated with the 3001. I love the way his roadie, sensing an issue, gets the Gibbo ready then go's after him with it, after he launches the Rick. The clip sums up their tour actually, sad times.

[quote name='Stacker' timestamp='1349377862' post='1825575'] He's selling a '60 4000 for the same price! [/quote] Just had a look at that, very rare bass, but the '60 is 10,000 bucks more!! I'll take the pair!

Can't believe the price of these things, £ per tone ratio is unrivalled. I guess size/weight is the issue?

I used to gig with an almost identical Series 6 rig many years ago, amazing classic Trace tone. This ad is nothing to do with me, no connection whatsoever, but I reckon this is great value at £250 start??? Takes me back! [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Trace-Elliot-bass-amp-and-cabs-full-rig-pre-Gibson-/180988071770?pt=UK_MusicalInstr_Amplifiers_RL&hash=item2a23bacf5a"]http://www.ebay.co.u...=item2a23bacf5a[/url]

Ridiculous price, you could get a '57 4000 for far less if it's a rare Ric you want.

[quote name='umph' timestamp='1349189201' post='1823015'] I've had the opportunity to service and play with the guitar version of this head, they sound great, though i'm not sure if i'm a fan of the contour swithc. [/quote] What does it do (The contour knob)?? (I don't have a seperate cab yet to play with. I tried it out quickly when i bought it yesterday, but not a full 'play' around). Thanks, Rick.

OK, great update, ourtesy of tommorichards, who is a top, top man. Sent him my original brass nut from the RW sig neck, and he made me a stunning, original bone nut copy, looks aged perfect. Excuse the fact there's 4 pics ofthis, but it's such a great job, great fit, and worthy of the exposure, thanks sooo much Tom, couldn't be happier!! Excellent work, courtesy of bc'er tommorichards.

[quote name='pobrien_ie' timestamp='1349115396' post='1822051'] Would definitely be interested in taking a look at them Rick, thanks! [/quote] Here they are, I knew they were somewhere;

[quote name='xgsjx' timestamp='1349184727' post='1822924'] You did ask for Orange folk! [/quote] Indeed, I was slightly worried after posting, that you were gonna come back and say it was a picture of you, and what was my f'ing problem!!

New addition, impulse buy, bargain, couldn't resist, apparently quite scarce head, sounds amazing. Just need a nice wheat grill angled Orange cab to go with it! Apparently, it's a late 80's reissue OR120 Super Bass, full size valve head.

[quote name='Mr. Foxen' timestamp='1349181198' post='1822822'] Matamp weren't making Orange in the late 80s, they weren't even making musical instrument amps by then, doing disco stuff. No Matamp or Orange were point to point, they were on PCB or sometimes tag or turret board, and currently on a hybrid of the two. This will be a PCB one. [/quote] Thanks for that Mr Foxen, more research confirms, here's the gut's, tidy work;

[quote name='xgsjx' timestamp='1349179924' post='1822783'] [/quote] I can't cope with the orangeness of those two nuggets!!

[size=3][font="Verdana"][color="#000000"]Does anyone have any more details about these heads. I’m a loyal fender man, and don’t know a great deal about [/color][/font][/size][font="Verdana"][size="3"][color="#000000"][size=3]Orange[/size][/color][/size][/font][size=3][font="Verdana"][color="#000000"] gear. I’ve always loved the look of them, and they are clearly fabulous amps, with a high regard and reputation.[/color][/font][/size] [size=3][font="Verdana"][color="#000000"] [/color][/font][/size] [size=3][font="Verdana"][color="#000000"]I’ve been tentatively looking for a valve head for a little while, and was likely to get a Marshall Superbass, as the [/color][/font][/size][font="Verdana"][size="3"][color="#000000"][size=3]Orange[/size][/color][/size][/font][size=3][font="Verdana"][color="#000000"] heads are always a bit pricey, when this turned up, completely out of the blue. [/color][/font][/size] [size=3][font="Verdana"][color="#000000"] [/color][/font][/size] [size=3][font="Verdana"][color="#000000"]The seller said he believed it was a late 80’s reissue of the 70’s Super Bass head. He said it was handmade, hand wired, point to point, in Huddersfield Orange/Matamp factory, and was a very limited run of this model. This model is apparently based on the OR120 (as they all seem to be?), it has modified guts, to specifically suit bass. [/color][/font][/size] [size=3][font="Verdana"][color="#000000"] [/color][/font][/size] [size=3][font="Verdana"][color="#000000"]It’s a full size head, in virtually mint condition, and sounds absolutely f’ing awesome, I love it. [/color][/font][/size] [size=3][font="Verdana"][color="#000000"] [/color][/font][/size] [size=3][font="Verdana"][color="#000000"]It was a complete impulse buy, but a 5 mile round trip last night, and it was amongst my flock.[/color][/font][/size] [size=3][font="Verdana"][color="#000000"] [/color][/font][/size] [size=3][font="Verdana"][color="#000000"]Does anyone have anymore info on this model, as google doesn’t turn up much at all, and if there is a way of checking the date of manufacture, as I’ve read these may have been issued in the early 90’s.[/color][/font][/size] [size=3][font="Verdana"][color="#000000"] [/color][/font][/size] [size=3][color="#000000"][font="Verdana"]Anyway, it’s a ridiculous amp, and I now feel I need a nice wheat cloth angled Orange bass cab to go with it! [/font][/color][/size] [size=3][font="Verdana"][color="#000000"] [/color][/font][/size] [size=3][font=Verdana][color="#000000"]Here’s some pics of an identical head, although not mine, as I haven’t had a chance to take any pics yet.[/color][/font][/size] [size=3][font=Verdana][color="#000000"][/color][/font][/size] [size=3][font=Verdana][color="#000000"][/color][/font][/size] [size=3][font=Verdana][color="#000000"][/color][/font][/size]

[quote name='MrFingers' timestamp='1349109460' post='1821948'] P.S. You've got a PM about the booklet [/quote] No I haven't??

[quote name='pobrien_ie' timestamp='1349115396' post='1822051'] Would definitely be interested in taking a look at them Rick, thanks! [/quote] Sorry, got an offer on an amp i simply couldnt refuse, but had to pay and collect it this evening, which i did, so no time to dig the tuners out. I'll sort them tomorrow, apologies. Rick

[quote name='pobrien_ie' timestamp='1349103005' post='1821825'] Thanks Rick! Chrome covers and threaded saddle bridge are already in transit The only parts I haven't ordered yet are the reverse tuners. If anybody has a set for sale drop me a line. [/quote] I have a set, let me see if i have any pics....

[quote name='MrFingers' timestamp='1349026921' post='1820844'] There were some (how many? a few?) slab P-basses made in 1962. Slab body (honey blonde), tortoise pickguard, slab rosewood neck. I saw a picture of one a while ago on an auction site, but I forgot to download the picture, and the link has gone dead [/quote] Never seen a reference to one of those anywhere?

Looks great, don't forget the chrome covers! Do you need a vintage 'threaded saddle' '57 bridge unit?? I know someone who's selling one, it's light relic too! Rick.

[quote name='Ashwood1985' timestamp='1348929300' post='1819857'] Well I'm gonna get the u-bass just to out-member you! :-D [/quote]

[quote name='AndyTravis' timestamp='1349087713' post='1821473'] Wasn't there a recent Custom Shop version of this slab bass? Sure Thomann Had one on their page - Just had a scan and it's no longer listed. Either way, sure this will be a spectacular rendition. [/quote] Correct, they did 2. A rosewood neck, torty guard issue (wrong, wrong, wrong); [url="http://www.themusiczoo.com/product/4454/Fender-Custom-Shop-Masterbuilt-66-Slab-Precision-Closet-Classic-Bass-White-Blonde-/"]http://www.themusicz...-White-Blonde-/[/url] ..and a more correct version, Retailed at over $5,500; [url="http://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/fender-custom-shop-66-slab-body-p-bass"]http://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/fender-custom-shop-66-slab-body-p-bass[/url] Thanks for your comment, it's coming together rather nicely so far.