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Comprehensive Rickenbacker Bass Buying Guide

#86
Did some say loose nuts?

Here are a few with their favorite Ricks.

Group_Shot_1200_5343.jpg

This is from RIO!!!, a confluence that I hosted in June 2008.
 
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#92
bobyoung53 said:
I'm not known as the quietest bass player around either:laugh: even to this day, my hearing is OK though although I think they are a little tired. You're from CT, what bands did you play in? Anything well known? I played in a band called Southpaw from about 1979 until 1981 which was fairly well known at least in MA where I was from. I always used an SVT with double cabs in that band (well after I tried two JBL scoops for a while on the advise of our soundman which I really didn't like, they went up front with the PA.). Did you ever use that 10' speaker in your avatar?:laugh:
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Hi Bob, I do remember hearing the name, Southpaw, but didn't get out to see too many bands back them, we worked constantly. Nothing famous for me, a couple of bands that I was in are, Jes Plain, Easton, we played at the Agora Ballroom, both stages, and the great SHABOO!, Tom Keegan and language, Chang's, Lupo's, I can't remember anymore fight now but played out a lot in CT, RI, MA, NYC and state, VT, Maine, NH, basically all of New England and NY. I ran two EAW scoop cabs loaded with JBL's for outdoor shows for a while and used a pair of JBL Cabaret series 15's, that I still own.
 
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#93
Generally speaking, the older ones have thinner necks (pre-'84).....in my experience. I honestly haven't put my hands on a Ric built in the last 15 years that I liked. The necks tend to be thicker and also, the neck profile and more importantly, the taper is different (not in a good way). The older necks (again for the most part) maintained a similar thickness and feel all the way up and down the neck. The newer ones that I've put my hands on, tend to get fatter as the neck approaches the body.

Plus, the electronics have changed greatly. The values on the p/u's were different and the pots also were different back then (250k on the volume pots and 500k on the tone pots as I recall). Now, I believe they are all 250k (me thinks). So the tone is quite different.

Lastly, we all are well aware of the quality control issues on the newer Rics. Bottom-line, get an old one (after you've played it of course and are happy with it). As always, IMO, YMMV! ;-)
 
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#95
I've not heard from him, too, in a long time.

And, R.I.P. Ross (to the left of Graham). For those few here that don't recognize Graham, he's the one between Ross and Peter, holding my old 4005WB.
 
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#96
Stugilliam said:
Hi Jim, well it's not easy, I tried to make the filler piece myself and quickly realized that I was going to do a Crap job so I put the badass back in. Then two years ago I found a very competent luthier, I asked him if he were to do it would he fill it with epoxy and he said absolutely not and explained how he would hand carve and hand fit a piece of maple with a very close grain and density as the rest of the body. He passed my little test and I have him the job. He did a great job, it fit tight and didn't need much wood glue. The problem is keeping the density of the body uniform and having it fit tight in the body and have the bridge fit into the new piece tightly. Unless you are a really good carver this is a job for a pro! If your Ric isn't older and collectable the Badass bridge is a much better bridge. JUST MY HUMBLE OPINION! It is your bass, enjoy it with either bridge Jim.
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Thank, Stu. The Ric plays amazing with the BadAss. I am loathe to jeopardize this right now. But the thought keeps nagging at the back of my mind. I wish in 1987 or 1988 — the time that I had the crappy stock bridge replaced — a better option had existed (like the direct-replacement HipShot). Oh well. It’s good to know what’s involved to go back.
 
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#97
Quadzilla said:
Generally speaking, the older ones have thinner necks (pre-'84).....in my experience. I honestly haven't put my hands on a Ric built in the last 15 years that I liked. The necks tend to be thicker and also, the neck profile and more importantly, the taper is different (not in a good way). The older necks (again for the most part) maintained a similar thickness and feel all the way up and down the neck. The newer ones that I've put my hands on, tend to get fatter as the neck approaches the body.

Plus, the electronics have changed greatly. The values on the p/u's were different and the pots also were different back then (250k on the volume pots and 500k on the tone pots as I recall). Now, I believe they are all 250k (me thinks). So the tone is quite different.

Lastly, we all are well aware of the quality control issues on the newer Rics. Bottom-line, get an old one (after you've played it of course and are happy with it). As always, IMO, YMMV! ;-)
Click to expand...
I agree. I never liked the base-ball bat necks on some of the 4003s I had and the V63 was the worst! I also absolutely detest Hi-Gains.
 
#98
Jimruth said:
Thank, Stu. The Ric plays amazing with the BadAss. I am loathe to jeopardize this right now. But the thought keeps nagging at the back of my mind. I wish in 1987 or 1988 — the time that I had the crappy stock bridge replaced — a better option had existed (like the direct-replacement HipShot). Oh well. It’s good to know what’s involved to go back.
Click to expand...
If you are using your Ric often the BA bridge does it's job, it is the classic replacement bridge on older Ric's so it may be grandfathered in. But, a good luthier can do a very good job and make it whole once more. I used a shop called Noll Guitars in Cranston R. I. and ask for Jim Landry he did mine but then you have to find the right strings so that she will intonate properly, mine like's DR Legend's which work for me. My feelings are if she is doing her job well, just enjoy playing her! JUST MY OPINION, FOR WHAT THAT'S WORTH!
 
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