steviedee

I like the look of the 4004s though they they miss the more traditional bridge even if it's horrendously difficuilt to adjust.

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1384683838' post='2279352'] you can't really expect to be immediately comfortable on one built in a completely different style and that also may require you to think about your band's overall mix in a different way to find it's place sonically. [/quote] Agree with the above. I think when people are used to having a certain ability and are disappointed when they can't acheive it. Having played Stingrays for such a long time I found the Rick to be a bit of a challenge. I'm still getting to grips with it to be honest but it doesn't nescessarily hold water that Ricks are sh*te because me playing one sounded sh*te! I just think it takes a bit of time. Most people have been playing a fender or a derivation of a fender and that's not a bad thing but clearly instruments that are different are going to take a bit of getting used to.

I like my wavy Grovers!

This is actually a really pertinent thread for me and I was going to post something on the topic. I have an 80s 4003 and it really was a nightmare to play. I found things that were straightforward on my Stingray just impossible and my playing was clunky. I really dig in when playing fingerstyle, too much if truth be told and I just seemed to make a racket on the rick. It was really demoralising. After some advice from a Rick owner I switched to heavier guage coatred strings and it was night and day the sound of the bass and playability completely improved. I did some recording with it, using a pick, and if I say so myself the tone of the bass was quite simpy awesome. I DIed the bass and the engineer did some reamping and it just sounded perfect for the track. However, I still found my Ray much easier to play and just defaulted back to playing that. But and I don't know if this makes any difference I decided to start using my Wal, which I also found harder to play than the Ray but I was looking for a specific type of tone. Anyway after a while I was really comfortable with the Wal and just yesterday I dug the Rick out. I'm in a prog band and thought I'll persevere with it as it's the iconic proggie bass and for some unfathomable reason I found it extremely easy to play and I'm absolutely loving it. Granted it's not as versatile as othetr basses but it does a couple of unique things really well. I dunno what the moral is maybe when you step away from something for a while your less stressed about trying to get it to work and it comes easier. In saying that I wish there was an easier way to fix the f***ing intonation!

Really great track ...

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1383471290' post='2264678'] But can you actually see the fretlines while playing? All I can see is the fret-ends, so I actually prefer playing an unlined with fret-end markers. [/quote] I see what you mean, there is a couple of millimetres of white inlay on the neck. I dunno though I'm just not out of tune which was my main problem with the unlined. Maybe it's a confidence thing but there is a real improvement.

Replaced my unlined fretless neck on my ray with a lined one a while back (cheers j0lly j). What a difference, granted I was getting to like the atonal racket I was getting out of the bass but my bandmates are much happier. I know it's considered a cop out but much easier for me!

[quote name='Bolo' timestamp='1376375195' post='2172866'] Lighter fuel works on nearly anything. If an overnight soak seems to lack results, induce heat. [/quote] Was looking for lighter fuel but couldn't find it anywhere. Old school products, soon to be residing in the 'where are they now' section!

I used some white vinegar left the screws in a bowl worked a treat.

Absolutely loving my Wal at the moment. I've pretty much turned up the volume on and rolled back the tone on every bass I've ever had for the past twenty odd years. But I spent a little bit of time playing with the eq on the Wal and I'm just knocked out by the range of sounds I can get. Anything from that barky midrange vibe to a full on pick attack. Really cool.

I have to say this pretty much happened to me I bought a 4003 a while back, looks amazing. Did some recording with it sounded fantastic, took a wee bit of getting used to. Didn't use it for a while then I dug it out for the prog rock. Put some new strings on it hoping for some clanky goodness and it sounded sh*te. Whats more I couldn't play it. It sounded awful and I played really badly when using it. Got me really down, I was all for flogging it. Moaned about it on a couple of forums was told to try coated strings. So I bought some cleartones and crucially (for me anyway) opted for a heavier gauge. It's like a different bass it sounds exactly as it should and subsequently I can play it. I have to say the Ric is still harder to play than any of my other basses but it's got a unique vibe and it's cool. I suggest heavier coated strings!

Sad news

There was a bloke on Gumtree selling the rockstand but I have this acoustic bass and it's just quite long. It would be great if the angle could be a bit less. Hercules stand looks great but same issue unfortunately.

I'm looking for a multistand just for home use. I currently have a Hercules GS515B [url="http://www.herculesstands.com/guitars/GS515B.html"]http://www.herculess...ars/GS515B.html[/url] which is a good stand just really long. I was looking at the warwick tubular rockstand but the headstocks overhang. So it would need a good six inches or more away from the wall. Anybody got any suggestions? The guitar case stands look like the most likely. This rondo one looks good as the instruments are upright not angled but I can't find them in the uk. [url="http://www.rondomusic.com/gsc2206.html"]http://www.rondomusic.com/gsc2206.html[/url]

[quote name='Billy Apple' timestamp='1372520826' post='2126774'] I've just come back from Bass Gear in Twyford. Played a 1980 vintage 4001 through a Mark Bass head and Bergantino cab. Sounded monumental [/quote] That sounds like a cracker.

I'd just like to point out I'm not criticising my drummer, he is a great drummer, it's a pleasure playing with the guy. It's simply because he practices a lot that he notices that when playing with the band he often hits them too hard. I'm the same, runs and lines I play with ease when practicing I get a bit tired when playing with the band because I'm digging in much more. But when you've been doing it or years it's hard to break the habit.

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1372504143' post='2126510'] [font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif][size=4]I'd turn right down, then your drummer will have to play softer.[/size][/font] [font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif][size=4]I don't rate floating thumb, maybe that's your problem? [/size][/font] [/quote] The problem being the drummer, like me, finds it difficult to play quieter. He's a great drummer and we've been playing together for years but as soon as the guitarists plug in we just play louder. It's like Pavlov's dogs. I was a heavy player before the floating thumb. [quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1372508780' post='2126578'] I play light and so need a lot of gain on the amp... and also a touch of compression to keep the strings more even. That way, I don't need to chase the sound ...and retain precision. [/quote] This sounds like a good call, I'll give it a go. Thanks for the advice chaps.

[quote name='Highfox' timestamp='1372489927' post='2126292'] It's strange I don't remember having any trouble at all switching to my first Ric last year, and not at all once I'd worked out what gauge strings I wanted on it and a quick once over making sure the neck was straight from my luthier. I always thought I was sensitive with basses but nowadays I have no problem going from a Jazz to a Ric to a 51P.. I think it's mostly in the set-up and feeling comfortable on each. [/quote] Maybe it's technique, I'm a bit of a heavy player. I did some recording using a pic and the bass sounded tremendous. Stuck some light gauge DR strings on and tried to play fingerstyle and it just sounded sh*t. My playing was really shoddy and the intonation was out! A week later heavier gauge, coated strings and it's like playing another bass. Sounds is fantastic and easier to play. Everything falling into place which is a relief because I like the bass.

I've been playing with the same drummer for years he was complaining that when practicing he plays much softer and is subsequently much better than when we play live or rehearse. It's a habit he is finding really hard to break. I completely sympathise as I have the same problem. I use the floating thumb technique but can't think of anything other than turning my amp up really loud and trying to regulate my playing. Any tips or suggestions would be much appreciated.

I have to say I'm turning the corner with my Rick. I was having real trouble with it. I just thought I love the look of it but I'm never going to be able to play it. However, changing to a heavier gauge strings has really made a difference. After years of playing and loving Musicman basses the Rick is a challenge but I now really enjoy it and I'm getting the tone I'm after. Unique and idiosyncratic instruments in my opinion but I reckon if you don't start off on one they throw you a bit or maybe I'm just sh*t