Ha! Yes, uprights are a different animal. I've only played one a few times (poorly--more poorly than normal). I never cared for how they sound. There are a very few examples I've run across that do sound good, but nothing in person.I was a Fender player for years and Rics were very different for me when I first started playing them, I just kept playing them until they felt good, same with Thunderbirds. I've owned at least thirty Rics in my time, most were used and bought online and never had a real problem that I couldn't fix if one had one which wasn't usually the case. They're actually very versatile. They're not something you can just jump on and and feel right at home after playing Fenders, which is why so many people bash them, they don't take the time to get used to them, same thing with Gibsons I believe. I pick up my '79 4001 now and it feels like home to me and in some ways is the easiest playing bass I own. To me different style basses are like a relationship, you have to commit to them.Now, try an upright.
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Thunderbird Club
- Thread starter TBird1958
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- club thunderbird
Isn’t that really a Ricolo?
No, those were made in Mexico, I believe. This is called a Hot Rod (at some point Hotrod). Only made them from '99 to very early '00. The J pickup is overwound to help balance out better because most P/Js the J is pretty weak sounding compared t the P humbucker. Even when I use both, the J is only about 80% on. Great for pick playing.
I have a 2013 Am Vintage Hot Rod, very nice bass, the one on the right, it has a compound neck, the pickups balance pretty well, not as good as the TF though. I think California basses were American, I just looked them up, they were American and came with a J neck and P/J configuration.
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You have to wrench the sound out of them, getting them to sound good is half the battle, you can't play them with the electric technique they sound anemic. To me they're the best sounding bass there is.
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- Mar 13, 2008
- 18,897
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- Endorsing Artist Mike Lull T Bass pickups, The Bass Shop, Seattle WA.
A gentleman travelling companion......
I suppose "manager" is better than "handler", don't want Frank to get suspicious
le pimp…OK, you might get into a bit of trouble if you don't clarify being the "manager" of someone wearing a short dress and heels.... Just saying....
In Spain? yes, in Canary Islands? Nope. They haven't been available here in 12+ years. The only store I knew that sold them/worked as Rotosound distributor doesn't work with Rotosound anymore.
Yes, not a monetary issue, but a health and time/schedule one. My parents are old, and recently flights have been the equivalent of covid contagion farms, (my brother-in-law had to go to madrid for work business and got infected) So, I'll pass on that until flights are safe again, thanks.
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Gaolee
Official leathers tester and crash dummy
The boy and the girl are both musicians. They moved to Dallas where her sister lives during the pandemic. They were able to buy a house (with a cosigner and a bit of help so in a way I bought a house). They hated Texas, sold the house and moved back to LA. They miss the house. They don't miss Dallas at all.
I would have to change the bridge if I got a 70's 4001, and the 4001 for what I've seen are more expensive than new 4003, no?
Gaolee
Official leathers tester and crash dummy
Yep. But then I am not a Ric guy. I have had a couple of them and liked them. I like Thunderbirds a lot better.
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That makes more sense. Somewhere in the 2000s I think there was a Mexican version. Been I long time in seeing anything about them, so I may be incorrect there. The all pickups in mine have the tapered poles (like Geddy Lee Jazz basses). Whatever they are, they sound really good. It's one of those bases that will be one of the last to go when it's that time.
Good catch, I can’t believe I left his name out. He and I are kind of kindred spirits when it comes to motor sports and gear head stuff.
Pool Boy and Cali Gardner must be a cover! I don't even want to know any more....
With ya 100%.
I have too much internet exposure with TB, I don’t need to add FB, twitter, Tic Toc or anything else to my demise.
There's an AMX (I think given all the growth around it) rusting away on the way to the Vet's office..... Why????
