jango

OK, first of all, this effect doesn't really add much more than judicial use of EQ but what it does do, is add an instant tone 'boost', good for a different sound if you require it for quick passages etc. It is more 'musical' (or maybe 'organic') sounding than straight EQ. Our set includes 'Eton Rifles' and 'She bangs the drum' straight off the bat quickly followed by less bass heavy tracks like 'How High' then later on dubby tracks like 'Changing Man' What the Knockout enabled me to do is set a 'Normal' tone for most of the set, use the pedal for a couple of tracks to add more edge and definition, then the tone controls on the bass for the dubby tone of later tracks. It does require quite a bit of experimentation to find the 'sweet' spot though. I could get a really good clanky Uber-Ricky sound with it, great for Eton Rifles, but I found that I didn't want to turn it off! During a fag break, I got a chance to mess with it solo and it's possible to get quite a good slap tone out of this unit, though I'd be the first to admit a Ricky clone isn't the best for that style. As first impressions go, it was a mixed bag. The drummer said he couldn't hear the difference, though one of the guitarists said it sounded good but was too subtle to be worth the money. I'm pleased with it, at £39 it's not a huge investment and it does offer a usable range of tones(and works well with guitar by all accounts), but if you are thinking about getting one I'd advice to try before you buy. (do as I say not as I do Boy!! ) I'll be using it at a gig next week so will post my findings then.

[quote name='Toasted' post='378827' date='Jan 13 2009, 11:50 AM']Let us know how you get on![/quote] OK first impressions: through a practice amp at home the Knockout does pretty much what it says on the tin. The low control adds plenty of beef while the high control introduces more treble and a 'cutting' edge to the tone. At band practice today at pretty high volumes (through the rehearsal rooms Peavey 300 watt Markbass) the Knockout seemed to offer a good instant cut and boost to the tone, though it is very subtle at gigging volume it has to be said. More to follow.. (just had a shout it's me teatime )

Gone for the Knock-out. Thanks for the advice geezers. Only £39 from Coda BTW.

Cheers for the responses, the reviews of both pedals on You-tube were interesting, but not decisive. I don't particularly need to change the tone of my bass into a clone of another model, just need more cut and maybe a slight boost, would the Knockout do this?

I can't decide which to buy basically. I need a different sound, ie more bite and attack for a couple of songs live, but I don't have time to fiddle with my amp between numbers . I was thinking one of these pedals might fit the bill. Ok, I know there will be people that say 'just use your EQ on the bass' but what I'm after really is a quite a drastic tone change to cut through two guitars. I use a Ricky copy through Peavey or Ashdown amps. I'm leaning towards the Steel Leather, but the Knockout looks more versatile. I don't live close enough to any decent Music shops to try these out unfortunately. Anyone tried these?

[quote name='jango' post='363867' date='Dec 26 2008, 08:09 PM']For what it's worth, I dislike most (but not all) modern designs, they may perform and play better (sometimes) than classic designs but it's debatable whether they sound better and they are so uncool. (And yes it does matter what you look like! ) Give me a Rick, Jazz or Precision anyday.[/quote] ........................the six string Bongo is quite nice though

For what it's worth, I dislike most (but not all) modern designs, they may perform and play better (sometimes) than classic designs but it's debatable whether they sound better and they are so uncool. (And yes it does matter what you look like! ) Give me a Rick, Jazz or Precision anyday.

[quote name='Musky' post='341000' date='Nov 30 2008, 11:39 AM']You're best off using vector based graphics for this - use live trace on a photo/logo if you've got CS2 or above, and then clean it up and make any changes to the logo as needed.[/quote] Havn't got a decent version of Photoshop anymore, just using 'Elements' which is crap. Used to have a cr***ed version but it's long lost.

[quote name='Bassassin' post='334358' date='Nov 22 2008, 12:38 PM']I somehow managed to miss this thread for the last couple of weeks! My original idea with the perspex trc was to use a reverse-printed transfer on the rear for the logo - I have a laser printer so should theoretically be able to do this with the print-your-own decal sheets available on Fleabay - unfortunately my rubbish printer melts these & then jams, so the idea remains untested. However, the paper/card underlay things work well, & once properly fitted are pretty much undetectable. I've done two so far & am very pleased with the result. If you're interested I could make up a perspex trc/underlay to fit your bass - I can do any design you want as long as it's [u]not[/u] Rickenbacker! Not sure what I'd charge but it wouldn't be as much as a dodgy Italian one! I'm interested in the idea of engraving one - some of the old copies had engraved-logo covers, the Ibanez & Jolanas did. These had 3-ply scratchplate material covers, engraved through the top layer so the middle colour showed. Might have a go with a bit of black 3-ply I've got lying around. Jon.[/quote] I'm impressed by your Matsumoku TRC. I've been trying to make something similar, Rickenbacker typescript but Photoshopped to read 'Rickenf*cker' . I have to say I'm not having much success, as I'm using photographs off t'internet as 'donors'. Can't find a similar typesript (which would make things a LOT easier) Any ideas would be gratefully recieved, to be fair I may end up asking you to do one for me as this is getting too time consuming. How much is not as much?

[quote name='Musky' post='333226' date='Nov 20 2008, 04:31 PM']I you're looking for something on the cheap [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Vintage-electric-bass-guitar-tuners-No-14-15-or-26_W0QQitemZ130224453640"]these might fit the bill.[/url] They've got enclosed backs, but then so did the vintage grovers Rick used to use, and it wouldn't be obvious from the front.[/quote] Thanks for the link. Yeah, I was looking for something fairly cheap, however I've just sorted out some Hipshots from another Basschatter. Never mind, the Hipshots were still a bargain compared to new and no doubt if I'd gone for the cheapies I'd have regretted it later. Me old Nan used to say (in a scratchy voice) " Buy cheap and you'll buy twice!!" STILL trying to source a truss rod cover or means to engrave mine. Don't really want an original Ricky cover, as I'm not trying to pass this off as a real Rick, just something custom. Anyone know someone who can do one? Or a link to how to engrave or make my own?

[quote name='Musky' post='330548' date='Nov 17 2008, 12:03 PM']Wow. Big jump in the price of the Hipshots - you could get them for £42 off ebay last month. Now they're about £60. [/quote] That's global credit crunch warming for ya....

[quote name='Rickster' post='330183' date='Nov 16 2008, 05:55 PM']I don't think so they are about $100 to buy in America. plus postage.[/quote] I meant relatively steep. The bass was quite cheap to buy so that price would seem like a large amount to spend on an upgrade. I've had a bass with Hipshot tuners before and they are undoubtedly good quality though, and worth the money; I'm just tight!!!

[quote name='Musky' post='330135' date='Nov 16 2008, 03:50 PM']You can buy molded 'rick' TRC's on ioffer.com but you're much better off following Jon's handy guide [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?s=&showtopic=19592&view=findpost&p=227610"]here.[/url][/quote] $75!!!!!!!!!!!!! ...........................Think I'll be following Jon's handy guide..............

[quote name='Rickster' post='330171' date='Nov 16 2008, 05:32 PM']Are these the Tuning Keys you require? [url="http://www.bassguitarpartsdirect.co.uk/shopexd.asp?id=310"]Hipshot HB5 Rickenbacker Replacements[/url][/quote] Thanks. Yes mate, they are. Bit steep though aren't they?

Hi, would appreciate some ideas and or help,just bought a nice 70's Jap Rickenfaker which is a great bass in most respects apart from the machineheads. I would like to swap these for some 'elephant ear' types but therein lies the problem. The original holes in the headstock are around 12mm but most new machines need around a 17mm hole, so has anyone ever widened the holes on their bass headstock before? I've got access to a pillar drill so that's not a problem just want to be sure it can safely be done before I potentially nacker this bass. Another thing, I would like to have the Truss Rod Cover(which is plain) engraved with something like 'Rickenfaker' does anyone know of a company etc that do this or is it something I can do myself? Thanks.

[quote name='LukeFRC' post='318089' date='Oct 30 2008, 12:23 AM']a local music shop is selling on commission a shaftsbury one for 550. A bit steep I think, you could get a second hand musicman for that or 4 warwicks these days[/quote] Wish this was closer to me, (I'm in Lincs) then I'd pop in to have a go on it. Seems to me that E-bay has killed off most good backstreet music shops. In the good old days there were independant guitar shops in every little town, with loads of secondhand gear to try. Fuggit!

Looks very similar to Eric Claptons guitar (think it was an SG) in the 'Strange Brew' vid sometime's shown on TOTP2 etc. Psychodelia MAN!!

[quote name='Bassassin' post='317825' date='Oct 29 2008, 06:40 PM']Like anything else secondhand, they're worth what somebody's willing to pay. Brands like Ibanez will command high prices on Ebay - in the unlikely event the auctions run to completion, although ironically most of the Ibanez-branded copies (there were a number of different versions) were wildly inaccurate. The most accurate copy I've seen is the through-neck Matsumoku version - these were sold as Aria, Aria Pro II, Univox, Greco, Electra as well as any number of importer names - factories like Matsumoku would use any brand a customer wanted. Anyway the Mat copy is very, very close to the real thing - and pretty rare, probably because so many have ended up wearing Rick nameplates and being sold as the genuine article. Shaftesbury-brand through-necks are quite common, never had one myself but they seem to be well-thought of. Also I wouldn't exclude bolt-necks if what you want is a playable instrument - it's not uncommon for neck-through Jap basses to have monumentally high - and unadjustable - actions. With a bolt neck you have the option of shimming to adjust the action if necessary. Most of the 70s JapCrap Rick copies look the part, certainly more so than much of what's around now. Jon.[/quote] Thanks for the info everyone, seems strange to me that Rick would bother to intervene in the sale of a secondhand copy on E-bay There are a couple of neck through's on the bay at the mo, most around the 300 mark, it's definitely what I'm after. I had a go on a real Rick 4001 about 20 years ago and it was a belter, the only copy I've tried was a Hondo II which I had the use of around the same time, I liked it a lot but the differences were huge, the action on the real thing was probably the lowest I've come across before or since. Think I'll try before I buy, but obviously it's been so long since I tried the real thing that it's doubtful I'd tell how close a copy was. Bassassin, is there any way (serial numbers etc) to tell if a bass is a Matsumoku?

Can anybody tell me how much 70's Jap copies of Ricky 4001's are worth? I'm talking about the decent quality kit with neck through. And how close a copy can I expect certain models to be? GOT ONE!! A Jetglo 70's faker, bit dog eared but a good player, has nearly all the right features, neck thru, rosewood skunk stripe ,33 1/2 scale, nice action (could be lower but not bad)Stereo outputs, nice weight (re: HEAVY) sounds good. Only has the one truss rod so not completely accurate. Tuners look a bit scatty so they will be changed for some Hipshots. Best part only £260 so not too bad pricewise. Pics to follow.

Has anybody got any opinions on these yet? Seen them in shops and they look pretty good (look nicer than Mexican Fenders in my opinion) havn't had time to try one yet myself. I know they aren't going to be as good as an old JV squire but they certainly look the part and seem to be great value. What do you think?

[quote name='Bassassin' post='280808' date='Sep 10 2008, 12:06 AM']A lot of people praise these, although a vintage 70s JapCrap Rickenbugger would at least look more accurate. Most modern Tokais are made in Korea, and don't have much relation to the 70s & 80s Japanese ranges, which came predominantly from Tokai Gakki's own factory, and other manufacturers deemed to be of sufficiently high quality. This Rockinbetter's quite interesting, it's always referred to as Tokai Rockinbetter - but funnily enough no matter how hard you look, you won't find a reference to "Rockinbetter" on Tokai's website - or, as far as I can tell - "Tokai" anywhere on the instrument. There was no Tokai Rick bass copy back in the 70s & 80s. I'm not convince there's any connection beyond the mass anecdotal consensus of The Interwebs. Jon.[/quote] Cheers for the info, not sure myself why Tokai should leave their logo off this one, they put it on everything else they make seemingly. How about the price for the Jazz Sound anyone? It is a sunburst with lined fingerboard and older (i'm assuming Japanese made) Fender shaped headstock.

Has anyone on the forum any experience of Tokai Rockingbetter basses(a Ricky copy) Seen one for £449 which doesn't seem a bad price compared to the original. I know Tokai's used to be brilliant quality, I had one of their original series basses in the eighties. But are they any good now? I'm also interested in their Love Rock bass, so if anyone has tried one would love to know what they thought. And (god he goes on a bit dunt he) is £350 a good price for a secondhand Tokai Jazz sound fretless? Thanks hopefully

Hi Ped, yes it was google. Funnily enough, a search for Jap Jazzes came up with the thread on 'Importing Basses' . Glad to have found you all again.

Yeah, I remember GAS. I'm now gassing after a Jap Jazz.