4000

[quote name='silddx' post='1226037' date='May 10 2011, 12:01 PM']I agree with Bilbo. Soloing with a bass is like painting with mud. Bass is a supporting instrument. Its timbre, its register, its limitations. Support. The bass is capable of many beautiful things, but soloing is not one of them. Why anyone would want to expose themselves in such a way is quite beyond my understanding, unless to demonstrate to others how amazing you are in the bedroom. The only people who are pleased to hear a bass solo, are other bassists who want to learn how to perform a bass solo.[/quote] And yet you like Chris Squire? When they work they work. When they don't they don't. If you like 'em great, if not, great. It's entirely up to the individual as every individual gets something different out of music.

[quote name='Bassassin' post='1226804' date='May 10 2011, 10:08 PM']Not at all. I like a low-ish action & tend to dig in, so it's become an inevitable component of my sound! There's a big difference though between an enthusiastic clattering-off-frets sound and the choking & buzzing you get from a poor setup or if frets need dressing. Jon.[/quote] Ditto. Except for the digging in bit, which is only occasionally.

[quote name='Who's Who' post='1226431' date='May 10 2011, 05:02 PM']Hi Has anyone out there tried any other pickup on a 4003, other than the Rick stock ones? I have a 2007 Blue Burst 4003 and I find that the output of the pickups seems really weak when compared to my other basses (Jazz Bass and Thunderbird). They are also fairly inconsistent across the strings, even after a decent set-up. For this reason I'm not really using the Rick at the minute, and always gig with one of the other two, which just doesn't seem fair on her!!! Was considering swapping the pickups for something with a bit more beef, like the Seymour Duncan pickups. If anyone has any experiance of these, or any other type of pickup please let me know as I'd like some opinions before shelling out £170.00. Thanks in advance.[/quote] I'm surprised the output is lower than a Jazz (my last Jazz was the opposite). How high are the pickups? I have mine very close to the strings ( I also play lightly). Is there a problem with the bass? Or is it an eq issue? The last thing I've found my Rics is "inconsistent across the strings"; they're arguably the most consistent basses I've played (which is why I use them). Is it just that you're used to the bigger low mids of your other basses? If not and you were to change anything I'd get them rewound. I've tried Seymours; didn't like em at all. They just lost the Ric tone IMO.

[quote name='JTUK' post='1225134' date='May 9 2011, 02:28 PM']Nothing would make me want to raise the action...it is not the lowest but it is fast and I like to be able to do that if I feel like it.. I don't want anything grabbing or tring me out and I don't think I struggle for tone anyway so I don't need to follow this thinking. Horses for courses.[/quote] Absolutely, although my action is generally very low, even by Gallery standards. It's all about how you play.

[quote name='Monckyman' post='1224827' date='May 9 2011, 10:09 AM']Def more thump.[/quote] Which is why I don't like it as much. Higher action doesn't work for me. Every time I raise my action (which I do occasionally) I always hate the sound and so end up lowering it again. Of course your preference will be affected by the interaction between the action height and the way you play (both left and right hands), amongst a million other things.

I'm up to something like 40, but the top 5 would probably be: 1) 1972 Rickenbacker 4001 Fireglo - I've yet to play anything that touches it. 2) Custom-built Alembic Triple Omega - sadly had to sell due to back problems. Awesome. 3) 1972 Rickenbacker 4001 Azure 4) Sei Flamboyant 5 headed - sadly sold recently to help pay for the Azure. 5) Probably either my old Pedulla MVP 4 (p/x-d ages ago for a Wal Custom; big mistake as it turned out I much preferred the Pedulla) or Rickenbacker 4003s8 (a beast!), sold to help pay for the Alembic above. I still miss my buckeye Sei Flamboyant 4 headed too, although it wasn't as successful as the above....

[quote name='mcgraham' post='1224959' date='May 9 2011, 12:06 PM']Hmmm, could be a number of different people depending on when you ask me. Right now it'd be Matt Garrison. Not to say I dig all his stuff, but he is doing exactly what I am striving to do, and I'd love to pick his brain on how he approaches arranging and playing.[/quote] Matt is one I'd like to chat with too, arguably my favourite of the current fusion types. Of the famous bassists I've met, there are a few who stand out. Lemmy (who was my initial inspiration and who I've met a couple of times) was an extremely nice bloke and we talked about Blackpool and "that bloody Opa-Loka" (which he said he can't stand - Dave Brock plays bass on it). Tal was very sweet and both Mark King and TM Stevens were absolute gents. Stan Clarke (one of my heroes) I've met twice but he couldn't have got away from me any faster! He didn't seem at all keen to talk to fans either time. Chris Squire (another hero) was hugely hammered both times I met him so I'd like to meet him sober! Tal aside, for me it would probably have been the Ox or Phil Lynott; I'd have loved to have met either, John more for his bass playing / gear interest and Phil for being the all-round legend he was.

[quote name='Count Bassy' post='729821' date='Jan 30 2010, 05:14 PM']To continue my previous theme: Do these 'mistakes' matter? would Maggie May have sold anymore copies if it had a 'Correct' bass line? (probably not), would have sold less copies and be less memorable ? (Possibly). Does playing a C where it 'should' be a C# really matter as long as it works (or even adds something) in the context of the song? And surely pushing and pulling the timing is part of what brings music alive and gives it swing or whatever. Music is an art, not a science. It may have 'rules' but , unlike the laws of physics, but they can be broken and bent, and who cares as long as the result is pleasing to at least someone.[/quote] Big +1.

[quote name='SteveK' post='728967' date='Jan 29 2010, 06:30 PM']Absolutely... and for me, the record is all the better for it. I seem to remember that Ronnie Wood played bass on that track.[/quote] +1

[quote name='skej21' post='1224048' date='May 8 2011, 12:28 PM']Yeah, if she was pulling that face the whole time it would take you an hour just to talk her into it![/quote] Well she thought that was funny... Here are a couple more pics....

[quote name='Sawtooth' post='1224025' date='May 8 2011, 12:08 PM']Don't be greedy, you've had your hour. [/quote] I think an hour is rather optimistic...

[quote name='Sawtooth' post='1223860' date='May 8 2011, 02:49 AM'][/quote] Hey, no fair, she's mine!!!!!!! Yes, that'll be Tal for me as well and having met her pics don't do her justice either.

Hope the SEi works out for you too John. It's a lovely bass I'll miss very much. Take care & all the best!

Well I'm currently down to 2, but even if I had thousands it'd be this one...

[quote name='Stag' post='1216898' date='May 1 2011, 09:03 PM']Just as an update to this... I gigged it with my 4001 in attendance as well yesterday thru my usual rig (SVT5 Pro -> SVT610HLF). The 4003 was noticably louder with the same settings (bass / treble on nearly full, mids at 12 o clock). It handled everything I could throw at it. Its lovely. If anyone is umming and ahhing about buying a 4003 then... just buy it. [/quote] Bass on nearly full? Crikey, mine's usually backed off to 10 o'clock....

John has just been out to pick up my/his Sei 5; really nice bloke. We had a good chat (as bass players do) and he was a proper gent. Cheers John; hope those basses work out for you!

[quote name='squire5' post='1215738' date='Apr 30 2011, 12:40 PM']PS I thought Avery Sunshine's bassist was amazing.[/quote] Just watched the last 2 weeks; not a huge fan of the music but I also thought Avery's bassist was great. Lovely tone and feel. Love the Fleet Foxes.

My main Fireglo '72 Rickenbacker 4001.