NBD - The Bass Which Dares Not Speak Its Name

[LeftyJ]

On 14/05/2025 at 22:31, Happy Jack said:

 

 

Bridge pickup cover has been replaced by the perspex bevel preferred by most Rick players.

 

 

Many, maybe, but most? I've never seen one on a real Rick in the wild.

 

There's a guy in the US who has been selling the Treble bezel since 2008-ish, which fits into the original bridge pickup surround. I had an early smooth one in black, but later designs also came in chrome and optionally with an integrated thumbrest (with choice of a scoop to anchor your thumb into, or a ridge on top). 

[Cosmo Valdemar]

On 14/05/2025 at 21:43, Happy Jack said:

So Pete is in Hobgoblin Music in Cambridge and has stumbled across an all-original Maya which - from a distance - is the spitting image of Macca's later bass. You couldn't make it up. And the shop want silly money for it. As in seriously silly money in the right way ... it's like stumbing back into the 1990s.

 

What did I say? I said BUY! BUY!! 

 

 

 

 

 

Are you going to shave the horns down? 😁

[Cosmo Valdemar]

28 minutes ago, LeftyJ said:

 

Many, maybe, but most? I've never seen one on a real Rick in the wild.

 

There's a guy in the US who has been selling the Treble bezel since 2008-ish, which fits into the original bridge pickup surround. I had an early smooth one in black, but later designs also came in chrome and optionally with an integrated thumbrest (with choice of a scoop to anchor your thumb into, or a ridge on top). 

Tubeampology, I believe. The design of which was later stolen by Rickenbacker who now sell their own inferior version.

 

The funny thing is, RIC always defended their traditionally wonky pickups by claiming they were covered so aren't supposed to be seen, then they go ahead and sell an item designed to replace the cover.

[LeftyJ]

1 hour ago, Cosmo Valdemar said:

Tubeampology, I believe. The design of which was later stolen by Rickenbacker who now sell their own inferior version.

 

That's the one indeed! 

[luckman67]

On 14/05/2025 at 21:31, Happy Jack said:

In truth, it didn't start with a Spanish name.

 

I recently joined a band that does an awful lot of Beatles stuff. It's a weird thing thing, but I grew up listening almost exclusively to The Beatles (essentially until I was about 15, which was 1971), they are and will always be my favourite band and the most important band in my musical life, yet I've played a ridiculously small number of their songs in all the years I've been gigging. So this band could be very important to me.

 

I already have a 1964 Hofner 500/1 Violin bass (yes yes, I know it should be a 1963, but have you seen the prices?) so what I needed was a Rick. Do I go for an early version of Macca's bass (1965 Fireglo) or a later version (natural refin)?

 

That's what sparked the 'Wanted' post for a decent Rickenfaker, and that produced a very nice bass from @Thor which - from a distance - is the spitting image of Macca's early bass.

 

 

 

 

 

Firstly congrats on your Rickenfacker I bought a 1990 Greco RB 85 recently & honestly I, can't get over how well they are made and I owned a real Ric 4003 for years.

Secondly like you I own an original 1964 Hofner 500/1 and the prices now for them is shooing up. Luckily back when I bought mine in Nov '88 I only paid £175 for it.