simon1964

Jon - a very balanced post. But given that you acknowledge the phrase is considered offensive in the USA (as it it is in most parts of the world) why not change the title to Japanese Classics or similar? The irony is that this thread actually recognises how good some Japanese copies are - so to use a term that is racially offensive to the people who produced those basses seems somewhat bizarre.

I'm sure I will get flamed for this, but I am going to post anyway as I feel the point is important. Do we really have to persist with the use of the phrase "Jap" in the title of this thread. In most of the world the term "Jap" is consider to be extremely offensive and racist - [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jap"]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jap[/url] . TalkBass have banned people for using the the term. Frankly the title of this thread is pretty much the equivalent of calling a thread about products produced in other parts of Asia "Paki-pap" or "Chinky-Cheapos". And before somebody raises the point - no, it's not the equivalent of using "Brit". That is essentially a friendly term that isn't used as an insult. Even so, how would you feel about Talk Bass having a thread called "Brit-Crap"?

I saw Blondied in Derby last summer, and really enjoyed it. To be honest, having seen the real Blondie a few years back, the tribute act were the better musicians!

[quote name='Roland Rock' timestamp='1389555750' post='2335518'] There hasn't been a bass bash in the East Midlands since I've been a member :-( [/quote] Blimey - you're right. The last Nottingham bash was 2010! I've met loads of Basschatters in real life at Nottingham and Yorkshire bashes, and at far too many sales and purchases (from motorway services in in Lancashire, to lay-bys in Berkshire!). All of them have been great company in real life - even the ones I've fallen out with on-line

[quote name='essexbasscat' timestamp='1399453408' post='2444297'] A singer I worked with recently used an iPad for lyrics. Because the lyrics were just listed in successive paragraphs, the singer went from verse two to three, completely missing the bridge of the song, as it wasn't written on her ipad note. If people are using ipads as short cuts for learning songs properly, then subtle nuances and changes in the song from verse to verse could well be missed. Also, if you're paying attention to the ipad, you're not giving your full attention to the performance of your fellow band members, thereby missing the opportunity to react in time to their performance and cues and in turn, provide cues of your own to them. [/quote] This is my experience too. Our singer uses an ipad for lyrics, and I'm afraid he is regularly guilty of all of those things. I would rather he actually learnt the songs properly in the first place.

[quote name='bassmachine2112' timestamp='1399198154' post='2441922'] Sounds glorious. Gigged mine last night and it was fabulous [/quote] They do look and sound great live. In the last five years I have gigged Stingrays, Precisions, a 74 Jazz, and a couple of Warwicks. Only twice have I had punters coming up to me saying how cool the bass looked. First time it was my Jetglo Ric, the second was a couple of weeks ago with my newly acquired walnut Ric. Still haven't had anyone compliment my playing though!

[quote name='Billy Apple' timestamp='1398936751' post='2439127'] Just found this for the new walnut fans.. [media]http://youtu.be/-rk6RpbrNwc[/media] [/quote] Thanks for posting that. Looks and sounds fantastic!

[quote name='KevB' timestamp='1399023448' post='2440027'] The guy that runs Rickysounds is alright, he lives in north side of Nottingham. [/quote] He's also got one of the most amazing collections of Rickenbackers you'll come across!

[quote name='Old Horse Murphy' timestamp='1399019031' post='2439949'] Try Rickysounds Karl. A bit more expensive, but UK based and IMHO a better solution to the Pickguardian [/quote] +1 to Rickysounds. I've got one of their Bezels on both of my Rics and they are a great bit of kit.

[quote name='cytania' timestamp='1398802731' post='2437818'] Ernie Balls are very good strings, I like them on basses and also their Earthwood strings on acoustic 6 string guitars. [/quote] +1. Ernie Ball nickels are very underrated IMO.

[quote name='jakenewmanbass' timestamp='1398418627' post='2433851'] Am I allowed to say that? I almost wish I wasn't.... [/quote] You're allowed to say it quietly! Gorgeous basses, but they are indeed marmite. Try out one of the new walnut limited editions if you get the chance

[quote name='ikay' timestamp='1397463778' post='2424026'] The decal doesn't look right - the 'Fender'' should be solid black (not gold) and it shouldn't have the 'offset countour body' mark (which was only on a Jazz). So there's a clue there that something's not quite original with the neck. [/quote] Agreed. And the bridge is obviously not original.

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1397469668' post='2424120'] I find it incredible that at least 20 years after the internet went mainstream the people who use it are still largely ignorant of how it works. [/quote] To be perfectly honest, I don't understand how a telephone works, let alone the internet....

[quote name='hiram.k.hackenbacker' timestamp='1397476625' post='2424220'] How does Andy Baxter manage to sell so many? He's UK based. [/quote] Because he's selling real (secondhand) Rickenbackers. Contrary to what some people seem to be assuming, John Hall has not made any threats regarding the sale of genuine secondhand Rickenbackers. The threat is in relation to copies. The reason the site owners have banned the sale of real Rickenbackers is because of a perceived risk that they will end up inadvertantly listing a faker masquerading as a real Ric. Presumably Andy Baxter is prepared to take that risk.

[quote name='4000' timestamp='1397475055' post='2424179'] Well I wouldn't say pig ugly, but I don't like the look either, and I think the 4001/3 is the best looking bass there is. Seems this may be the Ric for people who don't like Rics.... [/quote] I've got a Jetglo 4003, and like both! They certainly do look somwhat different to a standard 4003 though - mainly because of the maple board.

[quote name='Annoying Twit' timestamp='1397458333' post='2423978'] Edit: I'm not sure that they are well informed over on RickResource. Here they are all saying that Rockinbetter guitars are made by Tokai, without a single dissenting opinion that I can see. [url="http://www.rickresource.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=44&t=389091"]http://www.rickresou...p?f=44&t=389091[/url] [/quote] To be fair, that thread is from 5 years ago, when there did seem to be a general view that Rockinbetters were made by Tokai.

I took one in part exchange for a bass a few years back, with the intention of selling it straight on. I was really surprised at how nice it was. Great fun to play. The tone is pretty old school, unsurprisingly, but certainly usable. Certainly worth a punt at £50

[quote name='hiram.k.hackenbacker' timestamp='1397428443' post='2423914'] Can the genuine article infringe its own trademark then? [/quote] Nail on the head. There is no risk of litigation arising from advertising genuine Rics. The only issue, as far as i can see, is the perceived risk that someone posts for sale a bass which purports to be a genuine ric but is in fact a faker. Seems quite a remote risk to me, but I accept it's not my site, so not my decision.

[quote name='Woodinblack' timestamp='1397423908' post='2423849'] You can do it if you list it at the end of the day on friday. There doesn't seem to be any activity from Ric over the weekend, so if you can get it sold in that time you are ok. [/quote] That's it! Lift the BC ban at weekends

[quote name='hiram.k.hackenbacker' timestamp='1397422932' post='2423831'] Well, that's not strictly true. Click [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ricky-4003-copy-Rockinbetter-RG4003-/221389570812?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item338bd8c2fc&nma=true&si=2dNsa0g9bUD8OFkoHwm3nNJRTgk%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557#ht_310wt_1190"]here[/url]. [/quote] How on Earth did that one slip through! Particularly as it's listed with Ricky and 4003 and Rockinbetter in the title.

I do like the look of these. Congratulations on the purchase!

[quote name='LeftyJ' timestamp='1397162873' post='2421448'] That Vanquish looks awful IMO. What's up with those horns? It looks so out of proportion I love Music Man too, and they've had some amazing finishes throughout the years, especially on their limited editions and awesome sparkle finishes. Sequoia Gold, Autumn Redburst, Autumn Redrise, Copperhead Bronze, the Dargie Delight versions... [/quote] Those are fantastic!