Skybone

If pop fashion was bad, then alternative scenes fashion was only slightly less so. Thrash was skinny jeans & big, white basket ball boots (went there) Goth was black lace, duster coats, big crimped hair Indie was skinny jeans, brogues & your Grandad's big coat Or it was skate gear Or army surplus Good times, dodgy fashion.

Another vote for the Polytune, though my old Korg DT-10 is still brilliant.

Now the old thread has resurfaced, and been locked, we can get on and discuss RickenFaker's.

Rickenbacker TRC's on RickenFakers? Some of it is down to brand snobbery, some of it down to wanting people to think it's something it isn't, some of it's down to "feel good" factor. Don't get it personally, but if it comes to selling stuff on, they need to be very clear about their "modification".

As someone said in an earlier post, get one of those straps with a 2 position "rear" strap, then set it up for an acceptable height for both pick & fingers. I always used to have mine slung low when I played with a pick, but the down side was having your fretting hand at a weird angle. The bass height has raised a bit over the years, but it's now at a more sensible (comfortable!) level, especially as I'm now playing with my fingers. I lowered the strap by 1 notch the other week at rehearsal to make it easier on my playing wrist, and had to put it back up the next week because my fretting hand was sore. Can't win!

Zoom B3 / B1 / MS60B

I did a search for the old thread, and it appeared to have disappeared completely. I spoke to Billy Apple, a Mod of this parish about setting up another one, including the above disclaimer about trading RickenFaker's being against BC policy, and was given the green light. Anyway, the way I see it is that RickenFaker's exist, in bass and guitar form. I appreciate both Rickenbacker instruments, and a well made faker. They're basses, we're bass players.

[quote name='Bassassin' timestamp='1495239059' post='3302444'] Westfield's a fairly recent brand & Westburys were original designs. I'd have said Westminster but that was a Japanese domestic market brand & never officially imported to the UK. Can't think of any other W----- brand Fakers! [/quote] I was thinking "Westminster" as well.

"A registered member of this forum who makes custom replacement scratchplates"

[quote name='fretmeister' timestamp='1495140643' post='3301653'] I can see Mr Hall seeing this as a promotion of things he doesn't like. [/quote] If we stick to the rules of not advertising them for sale, asking if there are any for sale, or trading them, there's nothing to worry about. They exist. Mr Hall and his legal team know they exist. We are bass player's, these are basses. Quality instruments at a decent price that arrive in a reasonable amount of time? Not sure about the "arriving in a reasonable amount of time" bit, but agree with the quality instruments at a reasonable price. Don't get me wrong, I loved my old 4003, but I couldn't afford to keep it. Simple. It was a great bass, no mistake, but I needed to sell it. I'm gutted I had to sell it, but I don't regret selling it (well, not too much anyway). I would love to own another Ric at some point in the future, but for the time being, a RickenFaker was the only thing that could have possibly replaced a Rickenbacker. The point of this thread is that RickenFaker's exist, and some of us actually quite like them.

There was me, thinking, "we need a new RickenFaker thread" However... [b][u]DISCLAIMER:[/u][/b] [i]In accordance with the rules of BassChat, the sale, trade and asking for the availability of RickenFakers is prohibited. Anyone using this thread for this will be reported to the Moderators. BassChat is a great community, and we do not want to jeopardise it's future by bringing down the "Wrath of Hall".[/i] This thread is for the intention of discussing Faker's, discussing modifications, just discussing (not selling. trading or enquiring about the sale of...) Anyway, I currently have 3. 2 Rockinbetter's (from the "Tokai" era) and a Bass Collection Californian (basically a Rockinbetter under a different TRC badge). The 2 Rockinbetter's have mirrored scratchplates & TRC's from "A registered member of this here forum who makes custom replacement scratchplates", they all have Schaller strap locks, chickenhead knobs and Ric chrome, raised bridge pickup surrounds. I've considered changing the pickups, but I've no idea which ones to try out (without spending a small fortune!), anyway, the originals sound pretty good to me.

RIP

I ordered a clip on tuner from them a few years back, but it didn't turn up after a week or so. I got in touch with them, and they sent out another one, which did arrive. I used to buy strings from them, but they aren't as good value anymore, as you can buy the same strings for better value elsewhere.

Indeed, happy 10th birthday BassChat... and no, I won't be buying you an Xbox or a laptop.

Saw them many times while Alan Davey was with them, now he had a killer sound and style. His solo stuff is pretty good too.

It does pay to shop around, I've bought strings from a certain large German dealer before, as even with postage, they were still cheaper than sourcing strings from the UK. EBay's a good place to start. As molan said, it depends on which brand you want, and how much you think is a fair price for them.

I heard that they sounded tinny... I'll get my coat.

Strings changed, Schaller straplocks on, chickened knobs added, raised Ric pickup ring installed. Plays great, sounds great. Happy.

Oops, now 'down' to 3 basses, from 2.

For the last 5 years or so, the Coloursound Tonebender's have been made by David Main (the man behind D*A*M stompboxes), so they are not only incredibly well made, but sound excellent as well. I had a D*A*M Tonebender clone for a while, and that was a great sounding pedal. I have a Coloursound wah that sounds superb with my guitar rig.

Well, it arrived. The neck's a bit chunkier than the other two, and there's no checker binding, but it's in ace condition. Very pleased. From the left, it's 2, 3, 1

The thing I like about the Rockinbetter, is that the body is the same width as the Ric. If you thought the Rockinbetter was heavy, then a Ric is usually that bit heavier (all maple). My old 4003 weighed a ton, but sounded & played superbly. My Rockinbetter's sound & play great, and thankfully weigh less than my old 4003.

Yup, another sufferer here, had it constantly for about 10 years. Admittedly, it is all my own fault for not using earplugs / standing in front of loud, loud, loud amps / too many small gigs / huge volume etc. I discovered ear plugs too late, but I always carry some in my guitar case, and always use them. My advice to anyone playing in bands, or going to gigs, is look after your hearing.

Oops, just bought another Faker