simon1964

[quote name='Thunderbird' timestamp='1387569893' post='2313579'] The Thunderbird and believe it or not the Ricky did it for me and I am not a Ricky fan [/quote] +1. Ric and the Thunderbird for me please.

[quote name='Gust0o' timestamp='1385902092' post='2293312'] You know my opinion, Simon. Fine basses; poor leadership [/quote] Indeed. My post was really alluding to the ironic twist this thread has taken. Given the polarised (and at times somewhat hostile) opinions expressed about real Rics, I had to smile at seeing a Rockinbetter thread heading the same way

[quote name='Gust0o' timestamp='1385834124' post='2292703'] Sorry, I was probably a bit rude - it just can be frustrating fending off assumptions that these [i]must[/i] be poor copies, because of their origin; [/quote] It can be frustrating fending off assumptions about real Rickenbackers, because of their origin. So at least Rockinbetter got that bit right!

[quote name='lojo' timestamp='1385278570' post='2286273'] I don't get the "a stingrays sound cant be replicated" thing ? If a company wished to make a pickup the same as the MM then surely there is no secret recipe ? [/quote] It's the pre-amp rather than the pickup which colours the sound on a Stingray. Put a Stingray pickup in a Sandberg, and it still won't sound like a Stingray.

I loved my Sandberg Basic, but in truth it didn't sound like a Stingray. The tone is tamer and smoother than a Stingray. Not better or worse, but different. But as already said, Sandberg necks really do take some beating.

[quote name='Musky' timestamp='1385167944' post='2285356'] Do you want to sell your Rick? [/quote] If It is for sale, I'm not allowed to tell you.

[quote name='Gust0o' timestamp='1385166840' post='2285348'] Sadder, but less threatening and litigious [/quote] Possibly. Although it still seems bizarre that I can apparently post a link to a fake rickenbacker in the eBay thread, but can't sell my genuine ric on here. But I've learnt to live with it!

[quote name='molan' timestamp='1385161531' post='2285311'] Love 'em or loathe 'em the world would be a sadder place without the iconic Ric brand [/quote] Agreed. And Basschat is a sadder place without then too.

[quote name='Gust0o' timestamp='1385158055' post='2285273'] I've had a few pints and even done a pub quiz with John Shuker. Take note, Mr Hall [/quote] Jon makes some of the best basses you can play. Period. But spell his first name correctly Gus!

[quote name='Roger2611' timestamp='1385151006' post='2285154'] ..given Mr Hall's attitude I really didn't / don't want to like the damn things but when you just don't want to put the bass down it must be a good one [/quote] +1. It's a shame that John Hall's attitude clouds people's perception of Rickenbacker's products. I currently own two Stingrays, a 74 and 64 Precision, and a Shuker. They're all great basses, but it's my Ric 4003 which I pick up first and which puts the biggest smile on my face. Love them, or hate them, at least they're different

John Hall has made his viws on a budget line pretty clear. For example here (the fourth post on this page): [url="http://www.rickenbacker.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=12425&start=30"]http://www.rickenbac...=12425&start=30[/url] Whether he's right or wrong, it clearly isn't going to happen

[quote name='matski' timestamp='1384868325' post='2281593'] See? Rounded... [/quote] Rounded, and also very lovely to look at

[quote name='Bassassin' timestamp='1384795274' post='2280810'] You're probably right but it's not a market RIC have any need of, or interest in supplying - as it is they struggle to fulfil demand for the "real" ones! John Hall's determination to keep RIC small & ,maintain the high quality reputation (deserved or otherwise) is a stance I respect, despite him being, err - [i]unprofessional[/i] - in other aspects of his role as CEO! [/quote] Exactly this. Demand for Rickenbackers still significantly exceeds supply, in spite of JH's efforts to make it otherwise in the UK. This means they can work to a business model of selling relatively small volume at a significant premium. They simply have no need to enter the volume, lower margain, market.

[quote name='casapete' timestamp='1384685448' post='2279368'] Some versions of the Hohner B2A (Steinberger design) have an XLR out. Never used it on mine though............ [/quote] +1 - my B2A has an XLR output and I've never used it either!

[quote name='Gust0o' timestamp='1384630365' post='2278987'] 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. [/quote] The black TRC was supplied by RIC, but only condition that the old white one was sent back to them. They won't supply a new TRC without the old one being returned -they're worried people will end up sticking them on their fakers otherwise!

[quote name='Gust0o' timestamp='1384628174' post='2278960'] What is your jet-black one, anyway, Simon? Stunning example! [/quote] It's actually a standard jetglo 4003 but with black scratchplate and black name plate. Very stealth!

The lack of taper on the neck is odd if you are used to fender style necks. But I actually prefer the feel. And I have never had a problem with playing finger style. Take the pickup cover off and you're away. If the gap bothers you, the bezels ricsrus sell are pretty cheap and even incorporate a thumb rest. They are different, and they are quirky, but there's no way I'd part with mine.

[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. [/quote] 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.

I can recommend the Bezels that Ricsrus sell. Easy to fit, look good, and provide a good thumb rest for finger style playing

Yes!

Just traded a hipshot d-tuner with Sean. Great communication, posted quickly, and all nicely packaged. Thanks Sean!

[quote name='Dandelion' timestamp='1379625723' post='2215108'] IBANEZ ATK. USA SUB. SANDBERG BASIC M. Will all approximate a stingray tone. I have no idea why I wrote that in big shouty letters. [/quote] Certainly agree that the ATK and SUB get you well into Stingray territory. I'm not so sure about the Sandberg Basic though. I used to own one, which was a lovely bass. But the tone was much more rounded, and less aggressive than my Stingray. Still very nice, but more polite than a classic 'ray tone.

All four are currently on the stock basses page of John's website, at the same prices. Presumably he's agreed some sort of deal with Bass Direct to sell some of the stock basses he makes?