Gust0o

[quote name='Lowender' timestamp='1384706337' post='2279707']
Picking a song and expecting everyone to like it is like inviting someone over to your house and expecting them to redecorate their place exactly like yours.
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[quote name='Billy Apple' timestamp='1384702221' post='2279634']
BTW, instead of debating my choice, why don't you post up your Sunday air-bass song?
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[quote name='Billy Apple' timestamp='1384702221' post='2279634']
BTW, instead of debating my choice, why don't you post up your Sunday air-bass song?
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A great idea.

Ladies and gentlemen, may I present...

http://youtu.be/0EHdAFGadtI

You should try a Bongo

According to Twitter they're up to 1800 votes... and we only have 81 for our guy. Come on BC, let's get it done

Not my choice of listening, but some superb work on there - glad you posted it

That's one of the things I enjoy about this site. You get to hear some new things, and some new playing, outside of your usual tastes

I think it's a fair point. I've found a lot more variation in valuation on trade offers than with cash. I've also found that people are more willing to offer all sorts, as opposed to just the trade options you might have listed.

It has some downsides, sure. But it has some positives - you can get talking about a deal, with someone who is considering parting with some collateral... and people seem a little more serious when considering handing over something physical, as opposed to just cash; and you often get some alternatives you hadn't considered before.

You do, as with all things, need to be clear about what you want - and if you think someone's chancing or significantly wide of the mark, then just be honest and deal with it early

Spot on, matey

I think this is a rhetorical question!

[quote name='4000' timestamp='1384642335' post='2279162']
Why are people so quick to point out the "failings" of Rics and so quick to dismiss a perfectly valid counter-argument?
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Well, I would have said "brand damage", but gsgbass would be along to correct me

I do think that's the case, however - such is the prevailing opinion, that I think people are quick to find fault and slow to award praise.

Not seen a 4004 in the flesh. Would certainly like to try one.

I think he meant "ting", the status of which is unclear

That said, I think it's all fair feedback. I said much the same to Kiwi - that, once cash changed hands, expectations would change. I think that's one the admins (note: different to mods!) are still contending with - I think it's proven very hard to apply the model they sought within the confines of the forum software.

But we should continue to challenge and feedback to ensure we're going in the right direction... even if it does take a while to get there

I thought it was more "shoegaze", or whatever they call it. Still, sometimes it doesn't work for the better to put things in neat boxes

Will look forward to this

Congratulations on the new bass

I'll check with the "wife" and let you know

Oh dear, bit of a faux pas on that on. This androgyny has a lot to answer for!

A reasonable concern, given the ground we were beginning to cover!

The only bit I never got my head around was the stereo output. Is it a simply the case that you can run dual out from it, or is there some other wizardry?

[quote name='waynepunkdude' timestamp='1384630433' post='2278988']
I thought it was a bloke.
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I did, too - oops!

Is the black TRC after-market, then? It is very cool indeed. It's the type I've said I'll aim for when I eventually reach for my wallet.

Of course, duck egg

[quote name='Roland Rock' timestamp='1384628190' post='2278961']
The new thread title is offensive in that it lacks the appropriate passion and enthusiasm.

;-)
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I was considering channeling some Kevin Keegan, so see if Nige would "bloody love it" - alas!

[quote name='simon1964' timestamp='1384619228' post='2278824']
To put some context and balance to all of that, the Hall family actually acquired Rickenbacker in 1953, way before Japenese companies started copying Rickenbackers. I remain in the apparent minority who cannot see any problem with a company protecting its own design rights.
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No, Simon, nothing wrong with protecting rights, so I'll have to join you in that minority - but I'll keep a toe-hold in the majority camp, who wonder if it was worth the brand damage to do so in such a fashion

What is your jet-black one, anyway, Simon? Stunning example!

[quote name='bassmachine2112' timestamp='1384591565' post='2278386']
Don,t let your feelings for somebody get in the way.
Once you,ve bought it it,s got nowt to do with anybody
Necks and bodies have changed over the years but play one for a while and you don,t notice it.
PR skills leave a bit to be desired but hey ho.
Glad I,ve got mine.
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One day, matey - though I will buy second-hand, to avoid putting any money directly in his pocket.

I do have an old Rickenfaker with genuine Ric pick-ups, which does a very job of wetting the appetite for the moment. More the pity I can't show you it!

[quote name='Bigwan' timestamp='1384547997' post='2278130']
The only thing wrong with the bongo design is the chipped headstock feature...

Had 2, a 5 then a 4. Both HH. Unfortunately they didn't click for me, not sure why. I wouldn't put anyone off trying them, that's for sure. A damn shame people aren't more open minded.
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Haha, I think you're right - it must be a standard feature, since every Bongo has one!

If people can get past the looks, they're going to find a very versatile and eminently playable bass - I found mine a delight, coming after a long time with the Stingrays. The neck was perfect and super-quick; and, sure the pick-up isn't quite in the same sweet-spot, but it's a superb instrument in its own right.

Of couse, if you can't get past the looks... well, you're just going to miss out

[quote name='Bassassin' timestamp='1384558989' post='2278307']
What's ironically amusing about this is that John Hall's Rickenbacker International Corp dates to the late 90s and his trademarks for the 4003 shapes & designs are actually some ten years newer - the basses being copied in the 70s were made by a completely different and now long-defunct company.

One of those old Japanese copy brands was Ibanez, who were making Rick copies from about 1971, complete with checked binding & full-width inlays, just like the older 4001s. If they so chose, Hoshino Gakki, parent company of Ibanez, might have very good grounds to challenge RIC's claim to exclusivity regarding the 4001/4003 design.

Despite all the bluff & bluster, RIC is a small, family-owned business (and realistically probably do not have the coin to pursue legal action against BC and its members) - so Mr Hall might want to take a moment to reflect on how fortunate it is that wealthy Japanese corporations have better things to do than take petty & pointless legal actions against inconsequential and anachronistic little American guitar-builders.

Jon.
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A very good post, Jon.

I think we've all done a pretty good of answering this

No controversy at this end. I like the basses. I just don't like John Hall's methods - however rational and well-intentioned he might believe them to be. A little bit of the businessman in me is convinced I'd do it another way, and maybe I would... and maybe I wouldn't

I recall a lot of comments about the neck. I'm no expert - for me a Ric is a Ric, and the numbers don't mean as much as they might to an afficionado; however, there seemed to be some differences in the ones I've picked up - some slim, some fat.

We all have our preferences. For some, they perhaps don't have the right neck; others will be left wondering where the thumb goes; some will find they don't sit well in the mix of their current bands - horses for courses, and all power to some variety

That said, for me, I had no issues. They seemed like perfectly playable basses, and I'd be owning one now if not for John Hall.

[quote name='Shockwave' timestamp='1384559952' post='2278313']
I dunno. I have a bass solo in my Stoner/Doom rock band and the band and fans love it. It aint boring it sounds brilliant.
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Would be good to have a listen.

It's a great genre for getting some bass fills in - though I've always stopped short of doing an out-and-out solo!

[quote name='uncle psychosis' timestamp='1384558880' post='2278305']
I won't quibble over the "dismal sounding" bit but I'm amazed anyone can think they're underpowered. I never have to turn them past about 3 or 4 on the dial before they get to the "drown out everyone else" stage...
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Yeah, seconded. There's a reason they used to be so popular on the sludge scene - you could get some right noise out of them!

The worst combo we have in our rehearsal space is an Ashdown. You can't get any volume out of it, despite the pretence of power and it just won't shape up - leaving me hoping to beat others to the Hiwatt or Peavey!