Cairobill

Having owned Stingrays and loads of different j basses I would recommend a Fender 75RI as long as it's not too heavy (under 9.5 pounds). That is an utterly fantastic bass. I like ray's but I found mine too zingy and, while it had huge bottom end, it was too scooped for my liking. P basses - I have never really got P basses but maybe one day! Nick

My God I picked up my Rick last night. What a fantastic bass! Absolutely mint burgundyglo from 1978. It really looks new apart from aged binding etc. It hasn't been played in. I will post pics soon. It's a beaut. I put some hibeams on it which suit the neck as they're low tension. Action is pretty low but I might well have it looked at. It also sounded very good through my kit so I'm not sure I will do the capacitor mod. I quite like the twang on the bridge pup . I'll just mix in a bit of bridge to fill it out. This is going to be my main fretted bass from now on. I'm smitten... Cheers for the Sims recommend. I'm in SE London so not too far away. Nick [quote name='spongebob' post='995117' date='Oct 20 2010, 05:22 PM']Hi Nick [url="http://www.simscustom.com"]http://www.simscustom.com[/url] I'm down in Kent, and this man is near me - he's worked on both my 4003's, and really knows his way around a Ric. He works with loads of top names, so you'll be in safe hands. Given the delicate nature of the trussroads and fiddly bridge, you want someone who knows what they're doing with a Ric - Martin is your man if you fancy a short trip to the countryside! Mention that Iain with the two Rics suggested him....might get you a discount....or me next time I visit!! Hope this helps![/quote]

[quote name='wateroftyne' post='994107' date='Oct 19 2010, 09:16 PM']First of all... you need to take a breath and calm down, man. You sound like you're going to blow a gasket.[/quote] I couldn't help notice stacker's ruffled feathers at your tweaking his post in your comment earlier on in this thread. Can I just add that you have edited a post of mine in a quote before and for someone who has no truck with internet grumpiness at all I found it was really, intensely, f**king annoying. You dig? Nice bass Mark! Nick

Hi I'm just about to pick up my new 78 Rick 4001. Setup on it is great at the moment, but if new strings put it out of wack, can anyone recommend a rick specialist in the London area? I'm keen to take it to someone who is very experienced with their trussrods. I might also commission a capacitor mod (push pull switch). Anyone know a very safe pair of hands? I usually get my stuff done at the gallery (who are great) but I thought I would appeal to you Rick heads out there for specialist info. Incidentally, this bass is the first genuine closet classic I have come across. It is 32 years old and MINT. Very cool indeed. Plus it has a great thin neck and is a featherweight. Took ages to find. Cheers, Nick

...but I must add, getting wound up about it is a waste of time. As many people have pointed out, we have so many great luthiers who will put together an equally well made custom instrument for a lot loss so it's win win...

Fodera make beautifully crafted basses for fusion players but these prices simply reflect that when an extremely well heeled amateur bassist decides to buy 'the best' he will go for a Fodera as it's the bass equivalent of a Chateau Lafite or a Rolex. It's naff really. When I think of fodera basses nowadays, instead of thinking of this... [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjs9XrQqXlk&feature=related"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjs9XrQqXlk...feature=related[/url] I think of this! [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8nrphbipFk"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8nrphbipFk[/url]

Van Halen do an undeniably great shuffle...bounce bounce bounce... Also, only a buffoon would slag someone like Michael Anthony off for not being a *technical wizard*. A bassist with *fearsome chopz* would sound godawful in a band like Van Halen. There is a place for bass virtuosity and a place for being a source of solid pulse.

My bravewood!

Yes, they seem very variable as basses, so I guess try before you buy is a must. Back in the mid nineties when I had some deal money to spend I went down denmark street and demo'd a 4003. It was a total and utter dog. Thick neck, heavy, nose dive, weedy tone etc I decided on a 'Ray as my stage bass with my 70s J as backup/studio. I haven't played a Rick since but had the urge to fiddle with one recently and it was amazing. Thin neck, light, resonant, great sustain, delicious mids and fat bottom. I kind of regret not looking harder for a Rick back then. So I am somewhat on the market for a thin necked Rick! N [quote name='spongebob' post='935874' date='Aug 25 2010, 12:52 PM']2009 necks became slimmer in April of that year. Early 2009 are supposed to be some of the thickest to date! The 2008's were slim - as are the 2009's after April. I've owned a 2003 (thick), a 2008 (slim), and now have a late 2009 (very slim) and a 2010 (bigger, maybe more like the 2003). Rickresource.com is a great source of info....neck size changes quite frequently, so you take your chance! Then again, one player's 'chunky' is anothers slim or medium, so it's quite a minefield which I knew nothing about until I became a Ric-only player! Only advice is before you buy (the best bass bass in the world, obviously!), do your checks first. BTW, if you got for a 4004, they're all chunky!![/quote]

Here's one aimed at the Rick specialists. Much is written out there about on the 'net about Rick 4003 dimensions varying wildly. I am keen to hook myself up with a second hand 4003 but I am basing that enthusiasm on playing an older 4003 which had a slim neck (I've gravitated to J basses with early vintage profiles after trying and owning every flavour of neck). I notice that there are Ricks out there with 'P bass type necks' i.e. thick and deep. Does anyone have a thumbnail guide for when 4003s were being made with slim necks? Or is that a can of worms? Apparently there are some well known eras of thick necks e.g. early 2009? I hope to try before I buy but it would be great if anyone has some thoughts on this. Cheers! Nick

Interestingly enough I had a prog evening last night, watching the 'Beyond the Lighted Stage' doc. Geddy Lee appears to be playing a Nash early on in a dressing room scene. The top of the headstock has the nash sharpie date on it and no decal.

I think Stacker has it on the nose. The Nash bass has an enormous sound. Very thick and meaty, loads of sustain, harmonic colour etc It is one of the best sounding jazzes I have ever owned. The neck was a bit chunky for me though. However, that probably contributes to the almighty tone. They are a serious alternative if you are thinking of going the Custom Shop route.

Despite being a total J bass nut (I only play J's at the moment). I have never enjoyed playing Sadowsky basses. Is it that the neck profile is more chunky or they've got some P bass in their tone? Are they designed to sound scooped? I'm always keen to try one when I get the opportunity but they just don't work for me. Odd! I would like to try a good one at some point and suss it all out. I should probably go to a bass bash... C

If that's real it's a steal. Great basses.

Ah for sixties spacing a 62RI or, even better, a second hand Bravewood would do a great job.

Best production j bass I have experience of is the 75RI. Very well built with a lot of cojones. I have the maple board but I'm sure the rosewood would be lovely too. The 75RI utterly outclasses every American Standard I have played. It's really good... N