4000

So, having been out of the Wal loop for years, was Paul originally working with Pete? BTW, if anybody is ever selling a Pro, let me know.....

Ah, I see. You replied to the wrong post; just seen the other. No probs! What are the chances of replying to a different thread mentioning Rics and ending up in my thread?

[quote name='Dan_Q' post='247282' date='Jul 24 2008, 09:13 PM']a £500 ric? WOW! I've seen trussrod covers go for nearly that! What sort of ric was it? Welcome (i'm new too and shy, but had to ask about this ric!)[/quote] Hi Dan......er, I can't see the quote you're referencing. Was it on my first post elsewhere? My Fireglo '72 with checkers, full width sparkle inlays and walnut headstock wings cost me £490 in a sale 1993; it had been in the shop for a year without selling at £680. It's probably worth 4 to 5 times that now. Not that I'll ever sell it, it's my favourite bass.

Hi! I registered a while back but haven't got round to introducing myself (busy busy, busy...). I've been playing since 1980 (cripes..), and have mainly played original stuff (I'm a writer as well as bassist); as my mate Stu will tell you, I have a bit of a problem with playing more than a couple of covers in an evening (not technical I hasten to add). Over the years I've had 9 (?) Rickenbackers (currently got 4, 2 x'73s, 1x'72 and 1 '91 4001CS which I may be selling), 3 Sei basses (currently got 1), 2 Alembics (currently got 1), 2 Jaydees, a Wal Custom, 4 Statii, 4 Warwicks, a P, 2x Js, a Pedulla MVP, and numerous other bits and pieces which I can't remember at the moment. I try to get my hands on everything there is...just in case....and on my GAS list are Wood&Tronics, another Sei, more Rics/Alembics (always), Jerzy Drozd, CB (Bordwell), GW, another nice Jaydee, another Pedulla and a Wal Pro. And anything else that I see at any give moment, pretty much. Mainly play pop/rock, powerpop or indie/funk, although I happily Garrison out at home (or what passes for it ). Don't really get on with Fenders & Fender-type instruments but that's my fault not theirs. If anyone has one of the basses on my GAS list that I've not owned already I'd be interested to hear your opinion of it. Oh, fave bassists are Chris Squire, Lemmy, Glover, Hughes, Rutherford, Lee, DeMaio and Camp (big surprise eh?), The Ox, Leigh Gorman of Bow Wow Wow, JJ Burnel, Stu Zender, Stanley, Mr King, Jamerson, John McVie, Garrison & Gwizdala, Jah Wobble, Macca, JPJ, Phil Lynott, Mick Karn and doubtless countless others.

As others have posted, Alembics are very idiosyncratic. However, to try a single bass and attempt to judge the brand on that seems, with all due respect, rather strange. I play every bass I can get my hands on and have yet to play any single brand which is 100% fantastic. My favourite basses are Rickenbacker, Alembic & Sei, but I've played examples I hated from all three makers. FWIW, my Alembic is probably the best bass I've ever played, bar my 72 Ric (which is like part of me). And I've owned Wal, Jaydee, Status, Warwick, Fender, 3 Seis etc etc. I've also played several F Bass, Fodera, Overwater, Roscoe, Carl Thompson etc etc. Try some others. When you've played several, then make your mind up. It may be they just don't float your boat. Of course that doesn't make them less than "the dogs danglies", as "the dogs danglies" are a matter of preference. Just because you don't like something doesn't mean it's bad; it may be wonderful to someone else as everyone has different requirements. Generally speaking I don't like Fender or MusicMan much but they seem fairly popular!