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Have a good sappy story here for Ric fans. Posted on my FB page this morning for my family and friends. While I understand that basses are just tools, lots of nostalgia for me as I cut my eye teeth on a Ric.
33 years ago, give or take a few months, I was a guitar player. Well, not so much a guitar player as someone who could mimic the sound of swinging a cat by the tail at great volume. Then one fateful day, I was asked by our bass player if I would be interested in trying to play bass as he wanted to return to drums. He handed me his beloved Rickenbacker. It was an unwieldly beast. Compared to guitar, the strings were like telephone cables. Very uncomfortable to play. And then I plugged it in. And I made thunder ! To say that I fell in love would be an understatement.
Because I was a poor enlisted guy, Dan lent me the mighty Rickenbacker. I was terrified that I was going to scratch it. I was ever vigilant, constantly scanning the crowds of smoky bars, waiting for some drunk hillbilly to fling a beer bottle at the stage. I was fully prepared to take one in the melon to protect Dan's beautiful Ric.
I spent two years playing that bass. One of the darkest days of my life was the day that I got transferred and had to return her. It was crushing. But Dan and I were in love with the same bass and to ask him to give her up would have been unthinkable.
I have thought often of that bass and just as often of Dan. Over the years I have really wanted to find an older Ric. I stumbled over a few here in there, but none of them spoke to me.
Last night one of our guitar players came to practice and handed me a case. He said that he purchased the bass a number of years ago to do some brief recording. Since that time, the bass had adorned the wall of his bedroom. He told me that the bass belonged with me. He told me to take it home and we would work out something at something closer to a gift than a sale.
While I had seen pictures, they paled in comparison to opening the case and seeing the bass in person. I was a little bit surprised at the emotion of it all for me. Lots of memories came flooding back. The days of hanging out with my band mates in a little tiny trailer. We sent an aweful lot of beer to its watery grave. The police may or may not have shown up from time to time. To keep things polite, we played hard, both in life and in the band.
This is a March 1975 Rickenbacker 4001. It is not identical to Dan's bass from a number of perspectives and yet they could be twins in feel and familiarity. She and I are a lot alike. We both show our respective age. We both have some dings, dents, scars and wear. We both have been around the block and have led storied lives from personal perspectives.
Neither one of us are nearly as shiny as we used to be, but together, we make thunder!
__________________________________________________
The bass is in remarkable condition. Original case looks great for it's age.
A few small cracks in the finish at joints. PG is cracked in one spot. Neck is straight as an arrow. Fret wear is observable but plenty of life left. Beautiful yellowing. Mojo for days.
100 % orginal from everything that I see. Interesting that I have seen 75's with neck pick up locations in both spots. Perhaps 75 was the transistion to move the pick up rearward?
Here are some crappy cell pics.
Case is in excellent shape for its age.
A fews dings here and there. Chrome worn off pu cover and arm wear at edge. Still, looks great.
Silk screened.
33 years ago, give or take a few months, I was a guitar player. Well, not so much a guitar player as someone who could mimic the sound of swinging a cat by the tail at great volume. Then one fateful day, I was asked by our bass player if I would be interested in trying to play bass as he wanted to return to drums. He handed me his beloved Rickenbacker. It was an unwieldly beast. Compared to guitar, the strings were like telephone cables. Very uncomfortable to play. And then I plugged it in. And I made thunder ! To say that I fell in love would be an understatement.
Because I was a poor enlisted guy, Dan lent me the mighty Rickenbacker. I was terrified that I was going to scratch it. I was ever vigilant, constantly scanning the crowds of smoky bars, waiting for some drunk hillbilly to fling a beer bottle at the stage. I was fully prepared to take one in the melon to protect Dan's beautiful Ric.
I spent two years playing that bass. One of the darkest days of my life was the day that I got transferred and had to return her. It was crushing. But Dan and I were in love with the same bass and to ask him to give her up would have been unthinkable.
I have thought often of that bass and just as often of Dan. Over the years I have really wanted to find an older Ric. I stumbled over a few here in there, but none of them spoke to me.
Last night one of our guitar players came to practice and handed me a case. He said that he purchased the bass a number of years ago to do some brief recording. Since that time, the bass had adorned the wall of his bedroom. He told me that the bass belonged with me. He told me to take it home and we would work out something at something closer to a gift than a sale.
While I had seen pictures, they paled in comparison to opening the case and seeing the bass in person. I was a little bit surprised at the emotion of it all for me. Lots of memories came flooding back. The days of hanging out with my band mates in a little tiny trailer. We sent an aweful lot of beer to its watery grave. The police may or may not have shown up from time to time. To keep things polite, we played hard, both in life and in the band.
This is a March 1975 Rickenbacker 4001. It is not identical to Dan's bass from a number of perspectives and yet they could be twins in feel and familiarity. She and I are a lot alike. We both show our respective age. We both have some dings, dents, scars and wear. We both have been around the block and have led storied lives from personal perspectives.
Neither one of us are nearly as shiny as we used to be, but together, we make thunder!
__________________________________________________
The bass is in remarkable condition. Original case looks great for it's age.
A few small cracks in the finish at joints. PG is cracked in one spot. Neck is straight as an arrow. Fret wear is observable but plenty of life left. Beautiful yellowing. Mojo for days.
100 % orginal from everything that I see. Interesting that I have seen 75's with neck pick up locations in both spots. Perhaps 75 was the transistion to move the pick up rearward?
Here are some crappy cell pics.
Case is in excellent shape for its age.
A fews dings here and there. Chrome worn off pu cover and arm wear at edge. Still, looks great.
Silk screened.
Those are NOT crappy cell pix, but great shots of a wonderful Rick relic. The bass (neck) pickup was indeed moved in 1975; still haven't established just when within the year. Thanks for sharing a great story!
Thank you, Paul.
For just a second I was scared on neck placement hinting of a potential copy until I located a number of early 75 pics showing the forward placement. Once I gave the bass the once over, it was clear that it was the real deal.
I have seen a Jan, Mar and April of 75 with forward placement, nothing after April, although my search was brief as well as casual at best.
Really happy to have it. This era of Ric solidified my love of bass.
Jaymi
Pink Bass Man
- Feb 11, 2008
- 6,813
- 490
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Ampeg , Jaydee, Kalium
Thank you, everyone.
The strings on this thing are officially the deadest that I have ever heard. They make flats sound like stainless'.
Plugged her in last night during a break to learn new material. Pots are nasty scratchy. Will try some cleaner first to see if that will clean them up. If that doesn't work, then I'll have someone build me a harness, pull the old one and keep it in tact.
Anyone know what was originally specced on these in terms of strings. Rotosound swings I suspect in either 100 or 105?
The strings on this thing are officially the deadest that I have ever heard. They make flats sound like stainless'.
Plugged her in last night during a break to learn new material. Pots are nasty scratchy. Will try some cleaner first to see if that will clean them up. If that doesn't work, then I'll have someone build me a harness, pull the old one and keep it in tact.
Anyone know what was originally specced on these in terms of strings. Rotosound swings I suspect in either 100 or 105?
Jaymi
Pink Bass Man
- Feb 11, 2008
- 6,813
- 490
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Ampeg , Jaydee, Kalium
Hey Jaymi, we're twinsies !
What strings are you running ? How light is light. 100's? 95's?
You brought up one of the things that was important to me which is the narrower neck. The neck on this is fantastic, although I wouldnt want anything smaller.
Jaymi
Pink Bass Man
- Feb 11, 2008
- 6,813
- 490
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Ampeg , Jaydee, Kalium
I am using D'Addario XL Nickels....ready for this? 32-90
The neck on mine(as you can tell from the video) is SUPER fast!!
The neck on mine(as you can tell from the video) is SUPER fast!!
Wow. That is light. I'll try 95's and see how that goes for me. I suspect that I would geek out on 90's/
Jaymi
Pink Bass Man
- Feb 11, 2008
- 6,813
- 490
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Ampeg , Jaydee, Kalium
Zoomie,
She's a 4001 so be careful with strings that put a lot of tension on the neck. Many 4001's do not like a lot of string tension. You are aware of the special truss rods in your bass right?? They do not adjust like standard rods.
Sepp
She's a 4001 so be careful with strings that put a lot of tension on the neck. Many 4001's do not like a lot of string tension. You are aware of the special truss rods in your bass right?? They do not adjust like standard rods.
Sepp
Jaymi
Pink Bass Man
- Feb 11, 2008
- 6,813
- 490
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Ampeg , Jaydee, Kalium
I have used 45,65,85 and 105 for bass string. I notice the strings on my recently purchased 1980 4001 were light. But I could use some opinions on gauges.I think I would stay with 100 on the low string
I actually just put Swing 66 40-95 on my 4001 and it feels exponentially better. The action was just a tad high before but the light Rotos sit perfectly low, no real buzz. Totally eliminated the need for the setup I was planning on!
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