Magnolia

For me black is the only colour a Rick should be. Its just so classic. I love the way the white binding has yellowed with age. Had it in the studio last night for the first time, cranked up it is just awesome. Can't wait to gig it Friday.

[quote name='Chris2112' post='1338531' date='Aug 13 2011, 10:40 AM']Time to get those old Rush records on and get shedding![/quote] Every time I ever play a rick in a shop I always do a rendition of Tom Sawyer/Freewill/Limelight. They are my benchmark songs to check that it sounds as it should!

Well, it was yesterday actually, but I have been too busy playing it to post on here. After some thinking and advice seeking I decided to buy my Birthday bass. A lovely 1982 Rickenbacker 4001. Made in a June 1982, a month before I was born. It sounds better than i expected through my amp, thunderous and as a Rick should. Only one issue, which is the output jack is very very noisy if moved. I'm gonna go get that looked at today. Anyway, Pics!

Cheers for all the advice. Its reassuring to know it should be ok with heavier strings. I have just this minute got home after buying it Does anyone have any recommendations for who to take to to get set up? Local to London/Essex. I'd rather someone who knew about 4001 rods do it.

I have had a few 4003's with the vintage tone thing. And I found I only ever used them with with the vintage tone selected. The bass in question is my b'day bass. Made in the same month and year as me. I think it was for sale on here not too long ago and I wanted it then...

I think its because the early ricks were designed with the strings that were available at the time in mind. This is what I have read anyway.

After a bit of googling, from what I can see is the neck issues are to do with adjusting truss rods. 4001 rods don't function like a usual truss rod. Where the rod moves the neck in a usual truss rod. If you try to adjust a 4001 neck like this you're likely to make the fretboard pop off. I think i'll take the plunge and buy the one I have seen.

I have my sights set on a rather lovely 4001. I have owned a few 4003's in the past and just love 'em. Don't know why I sold them to be honest. Anyway, I have heard here and there that 4001's aren't very good with heavier string gauges. Is this true? Does anyone have experience of problems? I use Roto's Swing 66 pretty much exclusively. Are some necks stronger than others? I don't want to go buy the Rick I have seen only for the neck to go 'twang' when I string it. I'm a little heavy handed when I play too.... Is it a myth?

Bum notes a plenty. In my defence I couldn't see bugger all....

The best pics of me are the ones where you can't see my face....

Just bought Craig's Ibanez bass. Great bass and a great bloke.

Just bought a Big Muff and Q Tron of Rich. Arrived quicker than a very quick thing. Bring on the funk wah!

I have a black one, might get a red one as soon at they're in stock. I recorded yesterday with my RV4 and was totally blown away by the tone I was getting from it.

I was going to get an irig for my ipad, but have heard that the new Apogee Jam is much better [url="http://www.apogeedigital.com/products/jam.php"]http://www.apogeedigital.com/products/jam.php[/url] So I am going to order one of these. It connects to the 30 pin connector of the ipad/iphone. It can also be used to connect to a computer too.

I was there last night too. Great show. Sound was a bit crap in parts, too much guitar for my liking. Got some half decent video [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jde5o4YwS2Q&sns=em"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jde5o4YwS2Q&sns=em[/url]

[quote name='hairyhaw' post='1226499' date='May 10 2011, 05:49 PM']Or buy a 4004! [/quote] Yeah... Buy a 4004 and sell me your 4003

A while ago I had 2 4003's, one with SD pickups and one completely stock so I had the chance to A/B them. The SD's made the rick sound too muddy, with none of the lovely trebbly balls that we all love about rickenbackers. If I had to describe them in one word it would be cheap. They sounded cheap. Keep it stock and have a fiddle with your EQ.

I wouldnt have thought about the pickups, they are a little high. I'll lower them a touch and see if that helps. I was thinking about chucking a beefier bridge on. A badass may do the job.

My current main bass has absolutely crap sustain. Its the Retrovibe Ricky copy. Does anyone have any suggestions how I can increase the sustain on it? Im gonna put it in for bit of an overhaul soon, so anything I can get done when its in?