Skybone

Never tried a Zeke myself, but I managed to snag one for a friend of mine, who went on to produce a mahoosive sound from it. Had quite a few D*A*M pedals over the years, brilliant bits of kit.

IIRC, before I bought the 90's IC300, I'd only ever literally seen about 3 or 4 of differeing vintages in shops, in around 10-15 years at that point. Since then, I have seen quite a few more, but they still tend to be quite a rare beastie (unless you have access to large shops with loads of varied stock). In fact, I believe I saw more Rickenbacker 480/481's for sale at that point than I saw versions of the Iceman (Icemen?). Since the '04-'07(?) reissues, they have become more widespread, mainly thanks to System of a Down and the Dragonforce variants. There was an awful scaled down version made, the ICX120 that was reasonably priced, but you're better off trying to find a full scale version IMO. Don't know much about the current IC500, apart from what I can see on the Ibanez site, it sounds as though it should "hit the mark" (set maple neck & mahogany body). As it's a current model, you should be able to find one at a larger Ibanez dealers, or maybe they could order one in for you to have a look at. They are pretty much "Marmite" guitars, you either love them or hate them.

Depends on which model you're looking at... Erm, currently own 2, but have owned about 5 or 6 over the years, including a 1978 IC200, an '81 IC50, and a '94 IC300. The '78 was great, mahogany body, set maple neck with volute, brilliant strap balance (no neck dive), but the neck was a tad thin (kind of like a Gibson SG/LP "slim '60 taper"). The '81 IC50 was a good example of the low grade, bolt neck version with the "ply" body. Someone had "refinished" it trans red, and you could see it was made of "off-cuts". Still a decent weight, and a good strap balance (no neck dive). Refinished it and moved it on. The '94 IC300 was frankly awful, even though it was an MIJ. Bolt on "Wizard" neck, Basswood body. Strap balance was awful because the body didn't have the weight of the old fashioned mahogany slab. Neck was far too skinny. There was another version built in the early/mid 90's, the IC500 (set neck & pearl binding) which was gorgeous, though I've never played one. There was also the ICJ1000 signature model with an Edge Pro (Ibanez Floyd Rose) trem. Currently have an '04 & '05 IC400 reissue of the late 70's IC200 (like my old '78). Set maple neck on a slab mahogany body, excellent strap balance, volute on the back of the neck, and a neck profile that's more like a Gibson '59/late '70's Ibanez Artist. At the same time, they also made the bolt neck IC200, which was quite good too, far better than the previous IC300 from the 90's. The latest version, the ICT (and Sam Trotman version) has a maple through neck, and won't give you the raucous mahogany tones that the IC's are reknown for, think a cross between a Gibson SG and a Firebird. It might be good for some situations, but does not cut the mustard in my book. I briefly owned a BC Rich Classic Exotic Bich (maple through neck), and although it was a superb guitar, and had plenty of bark, it just didn't have the bark AND bite of the IC400 Reissue. Another thing to bear in mind, is that the strap buttons are on the rear of the body, so the guitar does tend to "lean forwards" a bit on the strap (kind of like the ES 335, SG & Firebirds). It can be a bit annoying, but you do get used to it. They also have long necks, but if you're used to playing bass, it shouldn't be as much of a problem as it seems to be "just guitarists". There used to be an excellent website dedicated to the Iceman, but I don't have the URL. Did I mention I was a bit of an Iceman anorak?

Do you need to eat food to survive or just want to eat?

"Need" vs "Want" Do you NEED something or do you just WANT it?

Either that, or just rampant consumerism. Companies make stuff and then need to sell it for them to (hopefully) make a profit and continue to make more stuff. Consumers need to purchase stuff made by said companies, but if their old stuff still works or they can't afford new stuff, then the old stuff will have to make do until such a time as they can afford to buy more stuff. Companies therefore employ Advertisers and Promoters to give their stuff a higher profile, and thus generate a "demand" for their stuff, so that they can sell more stuff and turn a profit. The more stuff you sell, the more profit you make, therefore the more profit you make, the more stuff you can make, therefore the increased need to advertise and promote new stuff as being "better" than the old stuff, therefore appealing to the Consumer's supposed "need" to acquire new stuff, because it's better than the old stuff. Unfortunately, in the meantime, the old stuff that's been sold on to Consumer's who have less disposable income, but who still have the desire to own stuff, has now acquired "Vintage" status, and is now desired more highly than the new stuff, therefore driving up demand and therefore price. The Companies see this and decide to make and sell new stuff that is made to the same (or similar) specification to the old stuff, and can therefore charge a premium for it. Then they get some blokes in a workshop to knock the new stuff around for a bit, and then sell the new stuff as "Aged" stuff, and charge even more for it...

If it's Steel Panther... surely it should be "Butt Metal"?

[quote name='Number6' timestamp='1395692485' post='2405228']So hopefully we'll see in Time and Space at some point :-)[/quote] And Relativity?

Will you be getting a Stacia tribute dancer as well?

Celtic Frost are/were superb IMO, the first 3 records (Morbid Tales, Emperor's Return & To Mega Therion) were just raw slabs of intense metal, and all the better for it. Pandemonium was a bit more refined and a lot more experimental, but they also started to go a bit more "glam" as well. Shame. "Vanity Nemesis" wasn't too bad thankfully. I was deeply disappointed with the Apollyon Sun albums. "Monotheist" was a good comeback, but was diluted a bit too much IMO, and didn't capture the essential "Frost-y-ness". However, IMO, Tom's return in Triptykon saw an excellent return to form, and I am really looking forward to the new album coming out in April. As for Twisted Sister, was never really a fan, though they were a bit of fun. To this day, I am convinced that Lady GaGa is the offspring of Dee Snyder.

Lord of Light and Spiral Galaxy and.....

[quote name='Twincam' timestamp='1395249364' post='2400224']However recently and despite buying a new bass too, I've suffered from bass playing melancholy I love looking at the bass but am not In anyway enjoying playing or practicing. I've lately made a few short little bass tunes which is cool I guess and have felt more comfortable playing and made little advances in playing too. Interestingly I've also been not interested in music as I once was... I don't want to give up. But frankly I don't want to waste my time if I just feel frustrated. I'm also extremely skint (again) and what little cash I would raise would come in handy. I know someone who plays guitar they have for 30 years they spend a lot of time and money on it and frankly he is still rubbish. I don't want to be that guy.[/quote] It sounds to me as though you've bought a bass with your eyes & heart rather than your fingers and head (believe me, anyone who plays guitar/bass will have been there, done that, bought the t-shirt etc.), I assume that your old bass was chopped in for the new one? You don't say what bass you bought, or what your old bass was, but it could be that you'd got used to how your old one felt & played, and maybe the new one doesn't feel the same or is missing that certain "something" we all look for in an instrument, the "mojo" that makes you want to pick it up and play regardless. As I'm sure you're aware from perusing this site, not all basses are created equal, and even same brand models can be quite different too, having many different variations on a theme. To share a recent experience, I bought a mid-price Fender Jazz Bass to replace an expensive US made brand bass (that shall remain nameless on these pages!), and even though I've owned & played various Jazz basses, I really didn't get on with this one. It was played a few times, but then spent most of it's time back in the case. I ended up selling it and buying something similar to the expensive US made brand bass (that shall remain nameless on these pages!). This one feels much better than the Jazz did, and I certainly want to play it more often, even if it is just picking it up for 5 minutes here & there. The moral of the story is to stick with it, and welcome to GAS.

What's the RickenFaker opinion regarding replacement pickups and their sounds? Do they get near that Ric sound, or are they a different beast altogether?

Tried both Schaller's and the metal Dunlop's, but I much prefer the Schallers. Easier to fit, easier to use and cheaper.

As for the video, at least there are some distractions from actually watching Mr Bubble. But the bass does look like a Rockinbetter, and the guitar is an ESP EC (LP-a-like; 3 control knobs & reduced cutaway).

Jason Newstead's bass sound on the three Voivod albums after leaving Metallica. Excellent tone and more importantly, after his tenure in Metallica, you could actually hear his bass lines.

[quote name='KevB' timestamp='1394183210' post='2388730'] I can. Morrisey's voice. Ruins every thing he attempts to sing on for me. Otherwise I might have liked a few Smiths tunes, in fact I'm looking at This Charming Man to put in the band's set. I can also recall the types of people who liked The Smiths when I was at college in the early to mid 80's. Shouldn't condemn a band by their fans of course but sometimes... [/quote] I can also recall the typical Smiths fans from the mid/late 80's... even the Goths hated them.

My Rickenfaker mods so far: Replaced control knobs from generic Jazz Bass style knobs to Matamp chickenheads (don't care, I love 'em). Turning into my "standard" mod on all electric guitars! Schaller strap locks. Another "standard" mod. Replaced the bridge pickup surround from the standard Rockinbetter "flat" plate, to a raised/contoured plate. Kept pickup "cover" on. Thinking about swapping the pickups for aftermarket ones (SD's being the most likely candidates), and possibly swapping the scratchplate. Both undecided as of yet.

Great start & hopefully you can collect info of many more Ric copies, especially the Ibanez ones. That Greco's gorgeous, and the Kay's just weird (copy or just weird interpretation?).

Lemmy of course, driven Marshall Super Bass 100's... Vaguely remember hearing some excellent fuzz bass playing on a number of Dub Syndicate records, though can't remember who played on them (or what the albums were called!). Seem to recall a superb driven bass sound on the ISIS album "Celestial", obviously they turned the SVT up full blast, you can just hear those valves glowing. I remember shopping for a distortion/fuzz pedal in the late 80's, and getting some disparaging looks & comments from the obviously shred guitar/hair "metal" worshipping salesmen when I said I played bass... Music shops these days just aren't what they used to be... with their friendly, inclusive and helpful manners.

Good find on the Rockinbetter, they are fantastic IMO, very close to the 4003.

How about:

Have any of the Rockinbetter owners changed the scratchplate on theirs?

Quite fancy a Yamaha BB, like the 424 & 424x. Reality dictates that there are far more pressing prioriities though.

I'm still convinced that Lady GaGa is Dee Snyder's love child...