Studio GC

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1491832724' post='3275708'] The UK distributer for Tokai uses the tokai-guitars.co.uk web address for their site although the actual company is called RKM Supplies Ltd. It does seem to be the same people running it since Tokai guitars started appearing in the UK again in the early 2000s. They may or may not have also been importing the Rockinbetter basses alongside their core business of Tokai, but plenty of distributors in the UK handle multiple lines from different manufacturers, and so that doesn't mean anything. In my dealings with the UK distributor I found myself wading through a lot of BS, and was so disillusioned with them, that when I came to buy my Talbos I got them direct from Japan rather than through the official UK channels. All this dis-information stems from the fact that Tokai guitars are no longer made exclusively in Japan, and while models like the Talbo and the top of the range Love-Rocks are still MiJ, there are a lot of instruments bearing the Tokai name on the headstock that are made elsewhere, and it certainly shows in terms of lesser build and QC, and IMO doesn't do the Tokai name any favours. The general consensus regarding Rockinbetter and Tokai, is that if Tokai was going to make a 4001/4003 bass it would have Tokai on the TRC. They've made RIC-style guitars in the past all of which had the Tokai logo on them, but I've never seen a Tokai-branded 4001-style bass. With the wonders of the internet, I'm sure if one existed, there would have been a photograph of it doing the rounds by now. The fact that no photographic evidence has come to light is good enough for me to say that Tokai have not, and do not make a 4001 or 4003 style bass. [/quote] When I purchased my Rockinbetter off of Gumtree it was advertised as a Tokai Rockinbetter. I did enough research to know that it really wasn't a Tokai, but enough people still had good enough things to say about them that I went with the purchase anyway. For £300 it was worth it, as it's a well made bass for that price point. Nice beefy bridge and the thru body neck is bound and feels great. If my new Ric 4003s doesn't blow me away I'll sell that and keep the Rockinbetter.

[quote name='Skybone' timestamp='1491750641' post='3275146'] It's always baffled me why Rickenbacker haven't brought out a "lower priced, offshore sourced" versions of their instruments. If they actively worked with the factory and made sure that build quality and everything was right, then what's the problem? That approach seems to have worked very well for PRS with the SE range, as well as Fender, Gibson, G&L, Music Man etc. But it would seem that Mr Hall's patriotism will only allow him to build instruments in the good old U.S. of A. I still think that the Rockinbetter is one of the better copies out there, though a 70's MIJ Faker would be closer still. Studio GC, how do those Gemini pickups sound? [/quote] Re: Gemini Pick ups. Honestly, the jury is still out on those. I'm trying to figure out why they sound a bit muffled. I'm almost convinced I liked the sound better of the stock Rockinbetter pick ups. I don't want to trash Gemini, as I believe they a good product and it was very good dealing with them (him?). I did tell him I wanted more bottom end ala P bass and he recommended the Tsunami's (which I ended up getting). Maybe I should have gone with the Waverider's which are more vintage Ric sounding. If I keep the Rockinbetter I might try the Waverider's. I also have a Rickysounds harness with push/pull (vintage/modern) switch which was a worthwhile upgrade.

[quote name='Big Uli' timestamp='1491753176' post='3275164'] Crazy money All my gear together doesn't even come close to that and it does everything I want it to do If you get seriously into it then get gear that expensive After all my first airgun was cheap Chinese made rifle Bought 1200 and sold on quid target guns since then Yes I know. I am officially stupid [/quote] I know, my 50's P Bass (MIM) serves me just fine (purchased used for £400), but why should I let that stop me from seeing if the Ric is the holy grail? The price I paid for the Ric means I can sell it for a profit here in the UK. I am breaking my own rules though, that I always say £600 is plenty of money to find a good gigging bass. But if the Ric blows me away I can live with the price as I'm only a two bass person (one decent and one back up). Edit: And...you do know, I am the bassist for Carnaby Army don't you?

[quote name='Big Uli' timestamp='1491747129' post='3275127'] I would love a ric just for the sake of having one but a knock off fake is the only thing I could ever afford What i dont get is why rics are so expensive when there are ppl out there with Chickenbackers, Chinesebackers and Rockingbetters who say they can not fault their instrument? I appreciate there is some better build quality but does that justify the price? [/quote] I'm not speaking from experience (yet), but when you compare the new range of American Fender P and J basses, they are close to Ric pricing, so it becomes more apples and oranges when you start looking at basses over £1300 The Rockinbetter is a good bass. Good at around £300 or so. But it still doesn't have a maple body and the harness had wimpy pots and the pickups aren't close to a real Ric.

[quote name='Skybone' timestamp='1491732274' post='3275029'] Have you tried advertising it on the RickenFakers Facebook Group? Its possibly the only place left to advertise and sensibly discuss Faker's. All the debacle about selling on Faker's made me think long and hard before I bought mine, but as the only possible replacement for a Ric (I had to sell my old 4003), I had kind of decided that whatever happens, I'd be keeping it for quite some time to come! I still want a Ric, but I'm unlikely to get one any time soon, where my Faker was affordable, highly playable, and now, virtually unsellable! I'd say that you should keep your Rockinbetter as a backup if nothing else. At the end of the day, they're still superb basses in their own right. [/quote] Thanks for the Facebook idea for Ric Fakes. I'll check it out......Just need to get on Facebook. It's also for sale on ebay, I've had some low ball offers, but considering I have Gemini pick ups in it and a new harness (with push/pull) I should probably just keep it.

I had my Rockinbetter up for sale on Gumtree, it lasted a week until it was pulled by what I presume are the pressures of the Ric police. What I find annoying about this is that my purchase of the Rockinbetter led me to purchase a new Rickenbacker 2017 FG 4003s. I got the Rockinbetter and realised ergonomically it works well for me and sound wise it sounds pretty darn great. It left me wondering, what a real Ric would sound like that led to my new purchase of the real deal. I understand the reasoning for pulling a faker add, but I didn't think it would happen on Gumtree. Rant over.

[quote name='Cosmo Valdemar' timestamp='1491654799' post='3274597'] 4003s. Inbound, yet unbound. [/quote] So true, but so much less then being bound!

[quote name='4000' timestamp='1491395100' post='3272669'] I have the opposite problem to most; I find a bound 4001/4003 is one of the few basses that is still comfortable for me (I have various physical issues), but I have been playing them for 37 years. I find them far more comfortable than Fender, Music Man etc etc. Every person is different so what's comfortable for one, or even many, doesn't mean it's comfortable for everyone. In fact I had to sell on a wonderful 4004 because the more contoured body caused me issues, although I'm hoping to give one another chance soon with fingers firmly crossed. With regards to any pickup balance issues, I use early 70s 4001 basses and the treble pickup has a pretty low output, even after doing the cap mod. In fact Chris Squire originally had his famous bass, originally mono, wired stereo so that he could get the level of his treble pickup up to the volume of the neck one. But again, depending on your playing style, amplification, sonic preferences etc, any differences may or may not be an issue for you. And of course you can always raise/lower the pickup or even turn the individual volume up/down. One thing I find with Rics is that people often don't make use of the controls; there are a plethora of sounds to be had between the two volumes and two tones, for instance Paul Grey (The Damned) used to back his neck pickup off a little bit to open up the mids, something I do too on occasion. [/quote] As far as comfort goes, I find my Rockinbetter very comfortable...and that has binding (no rounded contour like the 4003s), but then again as a guitarist I loved Les Paul's and didn't mind the edges on those or my acoustic guitar when did unplugged gigs, not sure why people find Rickenbacker's shape uncomfortable?

[quote name='Highfox' timestamp='1491388178' post='3272582'] Enjoy, I hope you don't fall into the old trap that many of us did, of lusting after one and then finding out after sometime it's not for you. Beautiful basses that can put out a wide range of sounds. [/quote] Yep, that's why I negotiated a good deal for it (even considering custom's fees and shipping) I should easily recoup my investment if I don't dig it.

[quote name='martthebass' timestamp='1491340037' post='3272324'] Had my 2010 4003 for about 4 years now, I don't use it that often on gigs, mainly as it's in good nick and I usually play in confined spaces. I love the sound and the look, not the most ergonomic of basses but not as bad as some people make out, horses for courses I guess. Hope you gel with yours! [/quote] My gigs are are a step down from Wembley as well. Yes, tight, smokey pubs usually. If I bond with the bass and it becomes my main tool of the trade I'll accept a few bumps and bruises. I don't abuse my basses, but I also don't fret too much if I catch an edge on a cymbal etc. I'll make sure it's a keeper before committing it as my gigging bass. I'm assuming I'll be fine with the ergonomics since my Rockinbetter bass is plenty comfy for me (binding and all).

[quote name='ezbass' timestamp='1491339579' post='3272318'] My 4003s is my first and only Ric. I'd tried one before, many years ago at a show and it was truly awful to play. I tried this one just to ensure I had the same opinion or if things had changed. From the moment I plugged it in, I knew I needed that tone in my life and it played really nicely too (so things were way better). For me, the pickup cover had to go and I had to cover the gaping hole it left, so I bought a bezel; sorted. For me, it's a bass that makes a huge visual statement, especially the fireglo (which I also have), with a big sound to back it up. I don't think it's a million miles from a P bass sound-wise, with both pickups. The soloed bridge offers a more middle centric tone with a volume hike, which needs taming so as not to stick out of the mix too much. I found the knurled, mute screws dug in my hand so I removed them; far more comfy. Having the unbound body is a plus for me, no overly sore forearm from the edge digging in, although I still do find it fairly hard on the arm because of the flat top. A great choice of bass IMO, but of course I'd say that [/quote] Thanks for the response. I'm not sure about the pick up cover. It doesn't bother me on my Rockinbetter, but agree it will probably go if I bond with the bass and it's a keeper. I'll then buy a bezel cover for it. Also, the binding on my Rockinbetter never bothered me, so that wasn't much of a criteria for the "s" model 4003. Mostly it came down to price as well as the dot inlays on the fretboard which I prefer. I come from many years playing guitar, so I tend to play more of a "out front" bass style, so I'm hoping the Ric helps with my style in the mix.

[quote name='Billy Apple' timestamp='1491370505' post='3272400'] How did you work the deal out, did you factor in the costs when it comes into the UK? Mine had the best neck of any bass I've owned... and the worst body! I couldn't stand the binding biting me. I've thought about an S and hopefully you'll not have the same problem. My conversation to Spectors solved all my issues, but I do miss that wonderful neck. I think Rics are like Harleys, either you get them or you don't. Sometimes it's not all about the speed, brakes and handling, but the journey and the noise! I think you've got the best model in the best colour, I hope you enjoy it! [/quote] I worked the deal through a seller on Reverb.com. I contacted him before negotiating the price to see about importing. I will leave it at; he was helpful in ensuring I paid the minimum of importation duties. After I factored in VAT and shipping ($140.00) I made an offer on the bass which came to a very good deal. I wanted to be sure I could at least break even here if I didn't bond with the bass and needed to sell it. I'm going into the Ric blind, but looking forward to seeing if the marriage will work for the long haul!

Looking forward to hearing how my a Ric will sound with my band (Carnabyarmy.com). I have a P bass (MIM Classic 50's P) that works great, but I worked out a deal with a company that ships internationally from the States and couldn't resist. Can't wait to see if I jive with the Ric! Without the usual Ric bashing (I've read all those posts....), how do you owners of the 4003s feel about your basses? [attachment=242309:cl4run6v4se2bhndez7v.png]

MIJ Mustang? Nice and solid. Sounds good stock. Easy to unbolt the neck and short scale neck make it easier to pack. Edit: My thoughts are, if you're travelling that distance for a gig, don't you owe it to yourself (and the band....and.... audience to have some decent kit)? Edit...Edit: I of course don't have that problem because I just call Jeeves and get the G3 in the air