How was your gig last night?

[dmccombe7]

17 hours ago, peteb said:

 

Was that a Ric or a Stingray? 

 

My second ever bass was a Ric copy, which was awful and put me off them for life. A mate of mine has a Ric that he adores, but I reckon is probably among the the worse 'expensive' basses that I have ever played (sorry Paul)! 

 

I have a curious relationship with Stingrays. I think that they sound, look and play great. But... I never seem to take them out on gigs! I have bought, then sold, the bought again a number of Stingrays, but hardly ever played one on a gig. I currently have a red 91 Ray, which a mate of mine sold me cheap after me admiring it for a few years. Because he wanted me to have it and insisted on letting me have it so cheap, I feel a bit bad selling it on. That and my missus telling me to just keep it as I will inevitably buy another one in a few months time! It currently goes out as my spare for the tribute band gigs, but rarely leaves its gigbag! 

 

It was a white Ric. I think it was the S version but not having any pics of it i could be wrong.

Dave

[Geek99]

@peteb that’s about five miles from my house, wish I’d known 

[Geek99]

10 minutes ago, dmccombe7 said:

It was a white Ric. I think it was the S version but not having any pics of it i could be wrong.

Dave

You got better though… thanks to Rick-anon 

[Geek99]

16 hours ago, Stub Mandrel said:

I don't know exactly why, but I have never 'got' Rics. I suppose to me, the various design elements just don't look like they go together. But that's just me.

No, it isn’t 

[dmccombe7]

1 hour ago, Geek99 said:

You got better though… thanks to Rick-anon 

Must admit i do love the shape of them.

Think if money wasn't an issue i would have one in my collection along with a MM Stingray, G&L L2000, WAL, Alembic, 1960 P bass and a Jazz, Overwater Progress 4, Gibson Grabber/Ripper, Kramer DMZ, Status (original graphite version), Vigier and so many others. 🤣

Dave

[Woodinblack]

22 hours ago, Norris said:

I've been keeping half an eye out for a 5er. They don't get brilliant reviews though. My 4er hangs on the wall waiting patiently for the day...

 

I kick myself for not getitng one just after the brexit change when Thomman were kicking them out at €1350, even with taxes that would have been pretty good, but didn't know what getting stuff imported was like at the time. By the time they had that sorted themselves they were gone and never came back.

Problem with rics are they are just too expensive for what they are worth for me - at under 1.5k I am happy to go for one, at over that they have to be special, and they aren't really special enough.

[msb]

On 28/07/2025 at 13:01, Len_derby said:

I know just what you mean. For me it’s because they are associated with influential and iconic players and relatively rare. You certainly don’t see many on my pub and club circuit of venues.

I’m lucky in a way, as I had the chance to try @Norris’s out at a Bass Bash a few years ago. Lovely as it was, it didn’t feel right. That’s saved me a heap of money and disappointment. 
I do have a hankering for one of Retrovibe’s short scale Lil’ Richard looky-likeys, though. A itch that needs scratching 😆.

 

I spent some years before the internet looking for a later Fireglo 4001 , and eventually found one in Toronto. There were never any for sale here in Halifax. It was just exactly what I hoped it would be , and for some years I was a Ric guy. I’ve had it now for close to thirty years. I just play it at home today , but any time I pick it up it feels perfect. Incredibly stable neck , I’ve only adjusted the truss rods twice in that time. Also managed to find an old burgundyglo set necked 4000. I thought I’d miss the neck pickup and knobs. I was wrong. They are beauties. And despite owning and playing Rics for some years , I still get excited when I see a nice one. They simply do that to me. Still.

[msb]

And feel is such an odd thing. I was a Pbass guy for years , and missed many opportunities to buy other classic basses at a time they would sell for next to nothing. Back when used meant cheap. I thought that a Pbass was all I’d ever need. I was an idiot. Today , I’ve acquired a wack of other basses that are very different from Fender styled basses. I prefer short scales today. Some have binding or sharp edges , thin necks , thick necks , light , heavy , good looking and ugly. And although something may feel very different or weird when I pick it up , I’ve found that with a little time I can get accustomed to just about anything. And regret passing on some great opportunities simply because they felt different.

[Stub Mandrel]

40 minutes ago, msb said:

simply because they felt different.

 

That's what matters to me. I don't want all my basses the same.

[msb]

And after I got that 4001 I thought that was the only Ric I would need. I had an opportunity to buy a 4002 for $1200 Cdn and passed on it. That one hurts now.

[dmccombe7]

39 minutes ago, msb said:

And after I got that 4001 I thought that was the only Ric I would need. I had an opportunity to buy a 4002 for $1200 Cdn and passed on it. That one hurts now.

OUCH !!! that's approx £650 over here. How long ago was that ya numpty. (Can i call you that without offending ?) 😂

Dave

[Jack]

2 hours ago, Stub Mandrel said:

That's what matters to me. I don't want all my basses the same.

I think this is an underrated opinion. A lot of people go "ooooh I like that bass, I'll just put my strings on it, get it set up to my usual action, put the EMGs that I like in it... etc etc". Just stick with what you've got then.

 

I'm kicking myself for changing my SB2 to VVT. No tone control is part of what makes that bass unique, even if it is a weird quirk.

[msb]

20 hours ago, dmccombe7 said:

OUCH !!! that's approx £650 over here. How long ago was that ya numpty. (Can i call you that without offending ?) 😂

Dave

It was about fifteen years ago , in a local vintage shop. The owner felt a used Ric should go for about $1200. Didn’t realize that that 4002 was worth considerably more. A couple of friends passed too , we laugh about our stupidity today …

[Staggering on]

Two gigs yesterday, a noon hour bluegrass trio gig at a restaurant in North Bay where we have played before and then a set in the evening at a bluegrass festival with the full 5 piece band. Both went well and as a trio we are really getting tight on the vocals with traditional sounding three part harmony on a lot of the songs. Long day but a good one, I left home at 10AM returned at 11PM and drove over 300km. We will be playing two more sets at the festival on the weekend, lots of driving but great fun.😊 

[dmccombe7]

29 minutes ago, msb said:

It was about fifteen years ago , in a local vintage shop. The owner felt a used Ric should go for about $1200. Didn’t realize that that 4002 was worth considerably more. A couple of friends passed too , we laugh about our stupidity today …

About 15yrs ago i could buy a new Ric in Guitar Guitar for approx £1400. Then they jus seemed to shoot thru the roof with their prices.

Dave

[pigface]

3 hours ago, Staggering on said:

Two gigs yesterday, a noon hour bluegrass trio gig at a restaurant in North Bay where we have played before and then a set in the evening at a bluegrass festival with the full 5 piece band. Both went well and as a trio we are really getting tight on the vocals with traditional sounding three part harmony on a lot of the songs. Long day but a good one, I left home at 10AM returned at 11PM and drove over 300km. We will be playing two more sets at the festival on the weekend, lots of driving but great fun.😊 

Hello Staggers, a bit off-topic and a (partly) non-bass related question but since you are a bluegrass man, have you ever heard of the Canadian ukulele player James Hill? He plays bluegrass too, among other things, and he is an amazingly good player. I had the pleasure to see him and his wife Anne Janelle (on cello and EUB and with a fine voice) a few times at the Shetland folk festival in 2018 and they were superb.

[WalMan]

5 hours ago, dmccombe7 said:

About 15yrs ago i could buy a new Ric in Guitar Guitar for approx £1400. Then they jus seemed to shoot thru the roof with their prices.

Dave

A few years back now I wandered into GAK’s old bass section out the back of the store and was chatting to the bass guy who knew I had a Wal. He said they’d just had an old Wal traded in and offered it to me for £900 😱 I had no funds in those days and had to pass 😢, though I did come back and give a heads up here in the evening - I believe it was gone at 9:05 the next day 🤣

[Staggering on]

1 hour ago, pigface said:

Hello Staggers, a bit off-topic and a (partly) non-bass related question but since you are a bluegrass man, have you ever heard of the Canadian ukulele player James Hill? He plays bluegrass too, among other things, and he is an amazingly good player. I had the pleasure to see him and his wife Anne Janelle (on cello and EUB and with a fine voice) a few times at the Shetland folk festival in 2018 and they were superb.

 

No, I hadn't heard of him but did a quick search and found some amazing playing by him and his wife. I will look for some more of his music, he is a part of the ukulele wave from the 70's  and 80's started by a music teacher in Nova Scotia not the more recent Covid era uke revival. He uses electronics a bit more than I like but there is no doubt about his talent. Thanks for the suggestion, I will have fun chasing down some more of his music.😊 

 

[pigface]

47 minutes ago, Staggering on said:

 

No, I hadn't heard of him but did a quick search and found some amazing playing by him and his wife. I will look for some more of his music, he is a part of the ukulele wave from the 70's  and 80's started by a music teacher in Nova Scotia not the more recent Covid era uke revival. He uses electronics a bit more than I like but there is no doubt about his talent. Thanks for the suggestion, I will have fun chasing down some more of his music.😊 

 

Interesting. When I saw them there were no electronics apart from amplification. Perhaps I should check out his newer stuff a bit more, too. Haven't done so for a while. I'm glad you liked their playing.

[dmccombe7]

2 hours ago, WalMan said:

A few years back now I wandered into GAK’s old bass section out the back of the store and was chatting to the bass guy who knew I had a Wal. He said they’d just had an old Wal traded in and offered it to me for £900 😱 I had no funds in those days and had to pass 😢, though I did come back and give a heads up here in the evening - I believe it was gone at 9:05 the next day 🤣

I bought my new WAL custom fretless in 80's for £740 and kept it less than a year because of a dead note on G string. WAL didn't want to know so i just traded it in for i think it was a Ric. Took a huge drop and now on hindsight i reckon it was possibly something silly like an unseated saddle that could have caused it but being fairly young and no great knowledge of setting basses up i just moved it on. Oh the silliness of those years.

I reckon i would still have had that bass as i loved the tone and feel of it.

Dave

[Bluewine]

On 28/07/2025 at 09:33, dmccombe7 said:

Had a polar white one in 80's and didn't keep it long. Just couldn't get a tone i liked. Its the only bass i have no pics of.

Dave

Dave,

I would like a Ric for the sole reason of the iconic look. I've heard they're not easy to maintain. 

 

Daryl

[Bluewine]

On 29/07/2025 at 06:36, dmccombe7 said:

Must admit i do love the shape of them.

Think if money wasn't an issue i would have one in my collection along with a MM Stingray, G&L L2000, WAL, Alembic, 1960 P bass and a Jazz, Overwater Progress 4, Gibson Grabber/Ripper, Kramer DMZ, Status (original graphite version), Vigier and so many others. 🤣

Dave

 

Hi Dave,

 

First time I saw a Ric was when The Beatles released the " Hello Good Bye" video to our Sunday Night Ed Sullivan Show. First time I saw Paul without the Violin Hofner. I thought it looked super cool.

 

Daryl

[Bluewine]

I've got nothing until next weekend. Not my favorite gig. However, we get an air conditioned trailer.

 

Maple Road

August 9th, 2025

Major Goolsby's Stage
Wisconsin State Fair
West Allis WI.

 

Daryl

[Jackopie1]

Played the opening night at Wilderness with our functions band The Enrichments. Still absolutely buzzing!

[dmccombe7]

8 hours ago, Bluewine said:

Dave,

I would like a Ric for the sole reason of the iconic look. I've heard they're not easy to maintain. 

 

Daryl

Not heard they were hard to maintain Daryl. I think they have a dual truss rod system tho. Not even sure if the new ones still use a twin truss rod ?

They do look good tho. 

My first real interest in Ric's was when i came across Rush in 76 and Geddy was using one. Then a lot of Prog bands used them too and i liked the tone but Geddy proved that he could make his Jazz sound just like a Ric and fooled us all. 😂

Dave