Bassassin

Now here's something you don't see every day - a home-built Mani-looky-likey 4005: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=008&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=180135390654&rd=1&rd=1"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...p;rd=1&rd=1[/url] ...complete with a neck from a (wait for it....) [b]Ibenez![/b] (sic) Well. They all are, aren't they? J.

Rick necks are weird in that they're a very uniform width & depth all the way up - meaning the narrow string spacing over the pickups is one of the many things people find odd about them. That said, I think that the profile varies more than the actual fretboard width - as Musky says, this has been changed a number of times over the years, and it seems current production is back to the classic thin necks from the older 4001s. Ricks aren't hand-made as such - necks & bodies are produced using modern CNC routers, but the whole approach to building is much more hands-on than most high profile manufacturers, because it's still such a small operation. There was a sort of survey on www.rickresource.com where people sent in their 4001/4003 neck dimensions to try & establish the changes. They'll likely know all about any differences in fretboard width there have been. Jon.

[quote name='Gazm' post='25266' date='Jun 30 2007, 12:26 PM']Sorry, lost the plot - twice now only half the post has appeared! Yes Jon, still got them! But as I said they're not pretty, there is some corrosion/rust. PM me your address if you want the bits sending. Pete.[/quote] Very grateful for that - always need old Japanese parts for projects & restorations - condition's not a problem. Thanks mate! J.

[quote name='Gazm' post='25200' date='Jun 30 2007, 02:58 AM']Fecking IP.Board Not playing anymore lol[/quote] Eh? Anyway - still got those bits? J.

[quote name='beerdragon' post='25148' date='Jun 29 2007, 09:54 PM']I'm thinking about bidding on that Arbiter, but with seventeen people or more bidding it may sloooowly go for a bit more than i'd care to pay.[/quote] Only one way of finding out... Unfortunately, unless you drop lucky at a car boot/charity shop/local paper classifieds these things just don't come cheap any more. J.

It's a Blazer alright. Or [i]was[/i]. Do you still have the old components you removed? If so, I'd be interested. Jon.

Musky - sounds like the very thing! The neck on mine was glued as well as screwed too - although the ageing adhesive responded to violence (no damage done!) and I was able to shim it to make the action more acceptable. Filing the nut slots down by about 4mm also helped! Mine's not actually branded "Kay" - the little black trc where the logo would be is blank on mine, so it might have been sold unbranded - or, more likely, someone removed it. The body sounds the same, but the neck is made from about 30 strips of what looks like mahogany. I'll take a pic later, if anyone's interested. dlloyd - I'd be willing to bet these old Aria & similar basses like yours were nothing to do with Matsumoku - the catalogue scans on Matsumoku.org are far from comprehensive, and that model of bass was likely in the range for a lot of years before it appeared in the catalogue on the site. Styling-wise it's '60s, and production probably began then. Aria are known to have sourced instruments from Matsumoku from 1975 - before then, there's no information on which suppliers they used, and in fact many enthusiasts assert that Aria's parent company, Shiro Arai Co, had their own factory. It's likely that like many other brands, they just bought stock in from a variety of factories. J.

- These things really are the arse-end of Japcrap (and even KoreaCrap & TaiwanCrap) but seemed to be produced consistently throughout the 60s & 70s - plainly there was a market for them! Top Twenty would have been some importer's brand that Woolies sold, and I wouldn't be surprised if dlloyd's bass appeared with that name as well as Aria. I think a lot of the Teisco/Kay/Top 20/Sakai/Zenta/Jedson cheapies were made by Kawai - who later went on to much nicer things, but with much less success. Kay's an interesting brand, they started out as US-built student level instruments & these are now very sought-after. However, 99% of what turns up on the Bay is from the Far-Eastern trash years - most of which isn't even worth the effort of burning! These will be the Woolies guitars with a "K" in a circle, btw. Some Kays are middling to good - I recently picked up a Kay P Bass copy - it has all the hallmarks of early JapCrap - "sandwich" body, strip-laminate neck, and it also has a MusicMan style 6-bolt neckplate, which is associated with a factory called Moridaira. This thing actually plays pretty nicely, and has a great, authentic Precision sound, and is loud as f***. The only problem is, it's so ridiculously heavy that when you get it out, the room goes dark as light is dragged into its gravity well. I've never gigged with it, as I don't think my back would stand it - so it's gotta go! Anyway - I digress. Later Korean - made Kays are worth a look too - these are identifiable by the Matsumoku-type through neck build, and often lots of fancy brass bits & inlays, as was fashionable at the time. Here's one: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/RARE-70s-Kay-Bass-Guitar-NEck-Thru-Construction_W0QQitemZ120134739638QQihZ002QQcategoryZ4713QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/RARE-70s-Kay-Bass-Gu...1QQcmdZViewItem[/url] These were made by Cort, who are broadly regarded as the best Korean factory, & more or less picked up where the Japanese left off after the 70s. It's suggested these designs might've been licensed through Japanese builder Kasuga - many were very similar to Kasuga's original designs. Cort/Kay were also responsible for those rather nice neck-through Precision copies that come up on the Bay occasionally. J.

And here's another Generic-enbacker cipy [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220126243136&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:middle:uk"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...hlink:middle:uk[/url] Don't know what this is - the guy says it might be an Aria - don't think so, probably the first 70s brand he could think of. Makes a change from sodding Ibanez, I guess. Something about it says "Hondo" to me - it has an indefinable air of tackiness - however the body doesn't look like ply, so it might not be. J.

[quote name='finnbass' post='24238' date='Jun 28 2007, 01:11 AM']WTF? When did you ever go missing Mr Assin Binface...[/quote] That's "Assin-ine", to you sir. I just thought I'd be polite, and "join in", as it were. Thinking about it (inadvisable, I know) - in a sense I have been missing for many, many years. J.

Back to waffle on about 70s JapCrap, fake Ricks, real Ricks, the joys of owning hundreds of cheap rubbish basses instead of one half-decent one, the complex & subtle intricacies of plectrum technique, and err.. chasing bats. Jon.

[quote name='Alpha-Dave' post='24081' date='Jun 27 2007, 05:49 PM']Excellent, personally I would have chopped the headstock off, but that's a good idea. I'm sure I've seen a horn extension somewhere before too, but I can't remember.[/quote] The clue's in your proposed weight distribution solution! The recent Steinberger Synapse has a weird hooky thing for the strap: [url="http://www.steinberger.com/synapsebass.aspx"]http://www.steinberger.com/synapsebass.aspx[/url] Jon.

[quote name='Happy Jack' post='23462' date='Jun 26 2007, 11:55 AM']Warning! Warning! Danger! Danger! These are OFF-TOPIC and are NOT RickenFakers ... but I thought you might be interested anyway. [/quote] That's just fine with me - appreciating, as I do, all things vintage & Japcrap, & all things with Rickenbacker on the sharp end. Always fancied a Triumph-alike, but remember it's a safe bet that the same thing with a name other than Ibanez on the end will likely cost half as much. There's a guy on the RickResource board who converts standard 4003s to 5ers. Wonder if that one's real, or one of his? J.

[quote name='finnbass' post='23262' date='Jun 25 2007, 10:24 PM']That's a lotta gear [/quote] And you just make do with one then, Mr Binface? J.

[quote name='Happy Jack' post='23269' date='Jun 25 2007, 10:46 PM']What's this one Jon? [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=010&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=200122858256&rd=1&rd=1"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...p;rd=1&rd=1[/url] Rather a nice one, if the dodgy photo is anything to go by.[/quote] He's been trying to shift that for a while - he even signed up to BW/BT and tried to punt it there - for £495, if I remember right - Refused to answer any questions about it. Unsurprisingly, it didn't get a lot of interest. As for what it is - I'd say either a Maya or a Greco - these being the only identified 4001s copies I've seen. Either way, it is nice. Like the way he's incorporated £20 straight profit into his postage. That Gibsonbacker's interesting in that it now has the same pickup arrangement as most Ibanez 4001 copies! J.

Impossible question - but three from my massive "wish to f*ck I'd written that" category: [i]The Chinese Way[/i] - Level 42 [i]Free Will[/i] - Rush [i]Gutter Cat Vs The Jets[/i] - Alice Cooper Band Jon.

Can't come close to Paul's total, but I've been through one or two in the last 25 years or so (* denotes JapCrap): Grant medium-scale Jazz style thing* No-name Les Paul shape medium scale thing* Washburn B-20 Stage series* Aria Pro II RSB Deluxe II* Hohner B2A headless Ibanez SR800FL fretless* Ibanez SR800 fretted* Peavey C20 5-string Ibanez EDA-900 Ergodyne Tokai Talbo* CSL Jazz copy* Ibanez 2366B Precision copy* Yamaha SBV-500 (formerly a member of The Collection!) Kasuga Rickenbugger 4001 copy* Cimar Jazz copy* Columbus Jazz copy* Marlin P/J thing Cheapo electro-acoustic Ebay special fretless Franconia Jazz copy* Wesley messed-up Rick-shaped thing Kay/ Moridaira ten-ton Precision copy* Aria STB-GT Precision/Stingray sex-on-a-stick hybrid ...and anything I might have overlooked! I still own an unhealthy proportion of these. Jon.

I've got more tools than I know what to do with - I'm attached to a couple but not too bothered about most. Easy come, easy go, and there's always a new or different or longed-for or prettier tool just up ahead. Jon.

[quote name='KevB' post='23056' date='Jun 25 2007, 03:47 PM']Am I missing something here? That last link seems to be to an acoustic 6 string![/quote] How odd! I'll see if I can find the proper link again! Edit: here it is: [url="http://www.ishibashi.co.jp/u_box/ubox.cgi?T=syosai&sline=676&print=1&keys2=yokohama%40ishibashi%2Eco%2Ejp&tid=list3"]http://www.ishibashi.co.jp/u_box/ubox.cgi?...p&tid=list3[/url] Given that it'll probably turn into an ad for a petrol strimmer in an hour or two, here's the page with the link too. It's about half way down: [url="http://www.ishibashi.co.jp/u_box/ubox.cgi?T=gazo&word=2&or8=32&key=&equal1=&value5=&select5=down&print=40"]http://www.ishibashi.co.jp/u_box/ubox.cgi?...wn&print=40[/url] J.

An Arsebiter, probably Matsumoku: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=020&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=300124090915&rd=1&rd=1"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...p;rd=1&rd=1[/url] ...being sold by Oxfam. So just how much of a b@stard are you willing to be, Mr. Hall? And interesting to see what these retail for in the Land Of The Rising Sun - a 4001S style Greco at Ishibashi: [url="http://www.ishibashi.co.jp/u_box/ubox.cgi?T=syosai&sline=674&print=1&keys2=yokohama%40ishibashi%2Eco%2Ejp&tid=list3"]http://www.ishibashi.co.jp/u_box/ubox.cgi?...p&tid=list3[/url] 69,800 yen is £283. J.

[quote name='bass_in_ya_face' post='22669' date='Jun 24 2007, 03:42 PM']Are there any kind of trade shows etc?[/quote] There's always a fair bit of bass stuff & lots of things to play & buy at Music Live in Brum. Tends to be first weekend in November. Doesn't look like Steve's in Edinburgh this year. Damndamndamndamn & kicking myself for missing him the last 2 years in a row! Jon.

Dunlop black nylon 1mm. I prefer the slight flex from a nylon pick, I think it allows more feel & tonal control, and the material produces a denser, less clicky sound than a rigid pick. I always meant to try those rubber picks that were all over Ebay for a while, but never got around to it. Anyone know where you can get them? It's good that this thread has managed 18 posts without some self-righteous gonk coming on & accusing plectrum wielders of all being "failed guitarists". Jon.

[quote name='roman' post='21727' date='Jun 22 2007, 08:59 AM']Hi there. We do shipping prices according of the czech post . We cannot give You other price . . . . except We´d brought it to Portugal in person. Sorry I am kidding . This are very correct prices from us . . pls believe us. Roman [email protected] they quoted me €22.50 for Portugal (where I live) and €28.50 for the UK (why it's more expensive, beats me O.o)[/quote] Hi Roman - glad you signed up here - there's quite a lot of interest in your instruments , I think. So, if I order a bass through the Bachmusik website, would €28.50 be the shipping charge to the UK? Cheers, Jon.

Maya29 would definitely be up for it - we'd play your local bus shelter for a half of warm shandy. J.

Here's another current copy: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=007&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=170123959999&rd=1&rd=1"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...p;rd=1&rd=1[/url] Looks like this is a re-badged Shine RK2000NT: [url="http://www.saein.co.kr/2007/bass/rk2000nt.php"]http://www.saein.co.kr/2007/bass/rk2000nt.php[/url] - and I really think the prices for these Korean/Chinese cheapos are being pushed up by the same factors affecting the vintage copies on Ebay. This one looks not bad (Seymour Dunks, decent looking bridge, through neck) - but £400? 'Avin' a larf. And wtf is that headstock meant to be? J.