ezbass

Many years ago I played a 4003 at a guitar show and it probably was the worst bass I'd ever played. Add to that the cost and I wouldn't look at another again - until recently. I had gone into Guitar Guitar to try out some single pickup basses, but saw they had some Ricks, including a 4003s. I thought I'd try one to check my previous opinion still held. Totally different bass, quite a chunky neck, but OK for my hands. Then I plugged it in - oh my! I had to have that sound in my life. The lack of binding makes it easy on the forearm and the dot inlays wind the significant bling factor back nicely. Yes the pickup surround and cover are a nuisance (to me at least) at first, but whip off the cover and buy a surround for the massive hole left behind and you're good to go. I've received more positive comments about the tone than any of my other conventional pickup basses. Rics are probably the ultimate YMMV may vary bass, so get out there and try one.

You are reading the order correctly. I don't have any fx on while tuning, so tracking is not an issue and once tuned it's used more as a mute for changing basses. As the VT is being a preamp, I've put the modulation fx in a similar position to where they'd sit in an fx loop. The tweaked EQ also helps the Octaver track better with my Rob Allen.

[quote name='Cosmo Valdemar' timestamp='1449236794' post='2921842']in all honesty I would probably swap the pickups for single coils, thereby having the modern comfortable Rick body but with the classic tone. [/quote]Or just buy a 4003s

I re-valved my Hot Rod when I had one (I forget with what) it was definitely a little smoother with the replacement power valves. However, the really big improvement was when I replaced the speaker with a Jensen C12.

Russ just bought my Ibanez SR1605. Really nice guy, smooth transaction, great communications. What's not to like?

And done.

I remember reading a thread about changing bridges on P basses some years ago. The general consensus seemed to be that BBOT was absolutely fine and all the Badasses, etc didn't make a blind bit of difference. So, if you want covers, stick with Leo's original design for that type of P.

Sounded great to me, some of the renowned DB stars don't have intonation that good IMO and on a rented, different scale instrument no less. Good work sir.

[quote name='arthurhenry' timestamp='1448744114' post='2917877'] You can take my copy of Roll The Bones if you like. [/quote]I know I'm firmly in the minority, but I like it and Presto very much.

OK, I'll play: Peter Gabriel - Secret World Live Rush - Roll the Bones (or Presto) Richard Thompson - Rumour & Sigh The Police - Regatta de Blanc Paul Young - No Parlez Steely Dan - The Royal Scam Eric Johnson - Ah Via Musicom Led Zeppelin - Physical Graffitti

[quote name='wombatboter' timestamp='1448705682' post='2917505'] You only have to show this when you want to tell someone what Wal is all about imo [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OfRZ63gLgI[/media] [/quote]That is so cool and the Wal sounds amazing. Who is that on bass? Who knew Mr Spock moonlighted as a dep for Bryan Ferry on occasion?

Ooh tasty!

Loving the PRS.

[quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1448265060' post='2913948'] [/quote] CamdenRob's fretless Wal

[quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1448265060' post='2913948'] Needed to test out my new phone camera... It was either a photo of Mrs C, the Cat or the Wals... I went with the Wals [/quote]Good choice (no offence Mrs C or puss).

Andyjr1515 is your man for this. Here's a quote on the subject from his latest build [quote name='Andyjr1515' timestamp='1448204455' post='2913632'] I'm probably 'pushing the envelope' as far as MrsAndyjr1515 is concerned with the reckless neglect of jobs around the house and in the garden, but when it's not raining, bass building is what has to be done! It's now starting to look like a bass proper - I got the bandsawing of the neck done. First of all, slimmed it down to body depth: and then within a mm or so deeper than the final neck depth, got the basic side shape of the neck and headstock cut: The fretboard shown is still the spare one and the headstock will have extra 'wings' and will also be ebony plated on the top. For the slotted blank of the real fretboard, I've thinned that down by 1.5mm based on my calcs to get down to the slimness of FuNkShUi's favourite Warwick bass - a slim 23mm non-tapered depth. The reason is simple - with the blank ebony being a generous 8.5mm, once you'd added the depth of the truss-rod slot, there would only have been 1.5mm or so of depth left under the truss rod. Slimming down the ebony a tad has helped get that to a functional and safe thickness even when fully replicating FuNkShUi's slim profile. There [i]should [/i]be no reason why I can't fully replicate the dimensions and shape of the Warwick... Now, for all of the reservations and downsides of my odd way of building, this is where is really comes into its own for me personally. Once I've finish sanded the top and sanded the straightness and radius on the fretboard, I can still final fit the neck depth and angle so that I know that the bridge is going to be in its optimum adjustment range for the correct action height of the finished bass. While you can calculate these things in advance and try to build exactly to plan, having glued the neck / top early, with hand tools and basic facilities, there are too many things that can be slightly different and which cumulatively can give you a problem. With a bolt-on neck, you just bung a shim in. But with a thru-neck that is already glued in, it can get a bit more complicated. I'm still enjoying this build enormously Thanks for looking! Andy [/quote]

[quote name='AlexJGriffith' timestamp='1448127048' post='2913219'] I absolutely love the Bongo bass. We have one on display at college, and we were allowed to take it off the display stand and give it a try. It's a beautiful instrument, but about a grand out of my budget. I need to find somewhere that stocks Yamaha basses so I can try some out. [/quote]Yeah, Bongos are crazy expensive and they don't come up 2nd hand that often either. However, other MMs in the range will get in you into that sonic space. Trying a Yamaha in your neck of the woods could be tough, neither GG or Andertons appear to have any in stock. However, a trip up town to Soho might be the way forward (I'd call ahead to check stock though) https://www.yamahamusiclondon.com/Guitars/Bass-Guitars/ you could then extend your trip to include The Gallery in Camden http://thebassgallery.com/bass/rbx-375.html

I'd say any bass that allows you play in this style. But when I hear prog/metal, I think Dream Theatre, therefore the previously mentioned Yamaha RBX. However, given that John Myung now uses a Bongo, maybe a Musicman of some description.

[quote name='rasher80' timestamp='1448030981' post='2912508'] Well, I am no Peter Hook but I am no Mark King either! Hopefully the short strap will be just about ok. Cheers! [/quote]I'd still check the measurements against your preferred setting before buying. I wear my bass as if it was resting on my knee and there is only about an inch spare (and that's with a Ric which has has higher horn than most other basses).

That sure is pretty. I think we're all hoping the weather stays dry so that there's more progress.

[quote name='obi 2 kenobi' timestamp='1448032275' post='2912525'] You should add Clouds. Brilliant track. With a v young Whitney on backing vox [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xADrCKYUEcc"]http://www.youtube....h?v=xADrCKYUEcc[/url] [/quote]Ooh that is good. Mr Jackson again so the internet informs me. [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xADrCKYUEcc[/media]