Black Coffee

Never played either stage 1 or 2. Hope to some day.

[quote name='DiMarco' timestamp='1384117820' post='2273022'] If you can't get along with a Ric either your technique is simply poor or you bought the wrong instrument for your personal taste. Simply blaming the instrument is rather foolish. Others before you got great results playing their Ric, Chris Squire, Geddy Lee, Justin Chancellor, Trevor Bolder, Geezer Butler, Cliff Burton, Roger Glover, Glenn Hughes, Paul McCartney to name a few. [/quote] I merely lamented my childhood dreams being shattered. Years of watching Motörhead made me just want one, but not wanting to admit to bad technique I will just agree that I didn't get on with the u bend over the pick up and even when removed it was just not right for me. The 4004 had a dodgy truss rod and got returned so I never got to really try it out. Regardless, I lost a fortune on three over about 18 months, and won't ever get over it as I pined after the bass for years and for me it's just the wrong bass to play but I love the look.

I owned three Rics. A 4003, 4003 fretless and a 4004. Loved how they all looked, hated how awkward they played and sounded. Grimace at the money it cost to see a childhood dream explode in my hands. Have a look around, why aren't more people playing them. . . As all you see is fender Warwick Spector etc etc . Can't get away from that. IMHO

My first ever mm was one of these and I'd still say it was the best sounding one I ever owned even compared to a 25th anniv 5 string I had at one point. Only bad point was the non profiled edge digging in to your forearm above the bridge but that was a small gripe. Great to get a bargain like that. Enjoy.

Many thanks.

At the risk of sounding a total ignorant fool, but bearing in mind I've only ever owned a BO thumb. What's the difference between a stage 1 and stage 2 streamer?

You only really begin to enjoy playing it when you stop worrying about the first ding. As long as it's an accident and you can't get pissed at someone else you gotta just learn to live with it. I treated my Dingwall like a trophy and it took the enjoyment out of playing it to be honest. In my ever honest wife's words,"Wise up, it looks played now it has a ding in it."

[quote name='The Bass Doc' timestamp='1383761954' post='2268785'] First wife. [/quote] Me too for this. Strange how common this is. Or maybe its not strange at all - you just arent married to the right woman.

Coffee , toffee muffins. Being teetotal. And jazz basses.

[quote name='Adrenochrome' timestamp='1383738156' post='2268289'] Or you could buy the right bass in the first place [/quote] I Agree. With an amp that allows it to sound like it should.

I've never really succeeded in modding a bass as I just buy a better one. My one attempt crashed and burned in a fireball. So,,,,, how would I mod a genz streamliner without effecting the same mushroom cloud.

Would it be fair to suggest that a quality fender and a cheap quality amp will not bring out the best of the bass, so you think you need a new pickup or bridge or something..? I have a genzbenz Benz streamliner and genz cab and my Chinese made jaguar sounds great through it but sounds like a fart in a dark corner through my smaller Roland 30watt amp. Without the genz to compare this to you would be tempted to upgrade pups.......maybe ? No point buying a quality bass unless you are gonna play it through an equal quality amp, it just limits the potential before you even start. IMHO I try to avoid over distorting the sound too with effects because it takes away from the quality and clarity you paid all the money for in the bass in the first place. IMHO of course. My Dingwall ABII was the clearest crispest sound I've ever heard through my genz gear, but nothing like it through the Roland cube. Just a thought, is it your amp or is it really the bass needing a tweak.

I've just bought one of these and in am pleasantly surprised by how good it is for the money. I'm in totally uncharted territory with made in china but so far so good.

Just done a trade with Harry for deluxe jazz 5 string. Top bloke , good communication and the bass was in excellent condition, just as new. Deal confidently with him.