Thunderbird Club

[theFixer]

That's the FIRST thing you do on a Ric ... remove the sodding pickup cover! Why they persist with them is a mystery.

The only reason I can think of for the "DeSoto", is to cover up that canyon they cut out for the pickup

 

[theFixer]

Have the house to myself so I decided to take a new family photo (minus the FSO and beater) considering I already had the 8:88 in my "photo booth"
The pup felt like she was part of the family too, but didn't wanna say "cheese"
View attachment 2768177 View attachment 2768179

Man I hate "warm" coloured lights.

That is a collection of gear to be proud of, my friend

 

[JJR58]

Well, I suppose that makes it exclusive/boutique. And I never thought this would be the advice, but maybe you need to do some cross border shopping in Canada.

Either that or head west for the SVT VR that @GBassNorth has, oh, what a world.

 

[JJR58]

"the bumper of a DeSoto" was a homing missile straight to my funny bone.

Way to hilarious!

That's the FIRST thing you do on a Ric ... remove the sodding pickup cover! Why they persist with them is a mystery.

What a waste. That's the first piece that came off the Rics that i have owned.

 

[BklynKen]

That's the FIRST thing you do on a Ric ... remove the sodding pickup cover! Why they persist with them is a mystery.

Always wondered where you’d rest your thumb if you’re a finger player.

 

[JJR58]

Always wondered where you’d rest your thumb if you’re a finger player.

The treble bezel mod, has this little indented thumb rest thingy.

 

[Dr_Feelgoood212]

Always wondered where you’d rest your thumb if you’re a finger player.

The treble bezel mod, has this little indented thumb rest thingy.

The Zero-mod Zero Mod 4001 Ric Thumbrest - Best Bass Gear
Zero Mod 4003v2 Fatboy Thumb Rest for Ric 4003 Clear

 

[JJR58]

Have the house to myself so I decided to take a new family photo (minus the FSO and beater) considering I already had the 8:88 in my "photo booth"
The pup felt like she was part of the family too, but didn't wanna say "cheese"
View attachment 2768177 View attachment 2768179

Man I hate "warm" coloured lights.

Where's the Acoustic man?

 

[Dadagoboi]

Yeah, you're right there. Don't know if I'll see one in my house, but I'm all over that JAEBird, and that 12-string.

Thanks!

Seriously considering building the JAEbird in Asia. My Taiwanese buddy/ex partner has a South China factory that can do it (he's a major supplier to Williams Sonoma so the bang for buck quality is top notch on everything). CNC, wood shop, metal shop, plating facility, finish line, and excellent R&D and sourcing people plus logistics.

Planning a trip back next spring to see what's what. With the right marketing and a reasonable price worldwide sales could be good. Still a lot of JAE fans out there!

 

[Count Bassie]

Always wondered where you’d rest your thumb if you’re a finger player.

I put a thumbrest- only a little one- where I want my thumb to rest. You have to not see the Ric as strictly hallowed ground, but that's the deal on any bass you do a minor mod to I guess. But I removed the surround/bezel on all three of the Rics I had. Don't need that dumb waste of white metal in the way there.

I loved the sound of my first Ric- we used to record to 4-track tape and I'd go direct-out from my SVT to tape. It was a beautiful sound. I miss it.

 

[BklynKen]

The treble bezel mod, has this little indented thumb rest thingy.

Interesting. Got a link for that?

And surprise to no one, Hipshot has a bridge for Rics.

 

[theFixer]

If you like the Ric, get it. They are cool basses. I would highly suggest you immediately replace those POS Ric pickups with some Classic Amplification pickups though. Ric has basically cut corners at every opportunity to keep their basses somewhat affordable. Their current pickups are absolutely worthless in my opinion. The neck is unusable as a standalone, and the bridge pickup lacks the girth and sizzle that they used to have. I posted a few threads about the work Ive done to Ric's over time. I've owned several. I love the way they look and love how some of them play, but it's very inconsistent. I posted some sound samples of the differences between the stock and the CA pickups as well. It's pretty apparent that the Ric pickups just don't stand up. I also posted pictures of the Ric vs. CA pickups and you can really tell exactly how cheap those Ric pickups are. I also hate the bridge. I hate adjusting the dual truss rod neck as well, although it's not technically difficult it is more difficult than what the standard is.

For me, nothing fits like a Thunderbird. I wish I would have found them years ago. Thenagain I really love the thin necks! Good luck!

Thanks for the input man

The 4003SW I like, comes with their single coils in it, so I was already figgerin' on swapping them out (if I were to go that way). I love the idea of some sexyass chromed out Thunderbuckers in there... I just don't know exactly how complex of an undertaking that would be. Good thing it's still down the road a piece

 

[Count Bassie]

Thanks!

Seriously considering building the JAEbird in Asia. My Taiwanese buddy/ex partner has a South China factory that can do it (he's a major supplier to Williams Sonoma so the bang for buck quality is top notch on everything he does). CNC, wood shop, metal shop, plating facility, finish line, and excellent R&D and sourcing people.

Planning a trip back next spring to see what's what. With the right pub and a reasonable price worldwide sales could be good. Still a lot of JAE fans out there!

Sounds interesting. Here's hoping you find the right pub... my ear's to the wall.

 

[Dr_Feelgoood212]

Where's the Acoustic man?

I meant to mention, basically I was too lazy to haul that beast over there.

 

[BklynKen]

I put a thumbrest- only a little one- where I want my thumb to rest. You have to not see the Ric as strictly hallowed ground, but that's the deal on any bass yo do a minor mod to I guess. But I removed the surround/bezel on all three of the Rics I had. Don't need that dumb waste of white metal in the way there.

I loved the sound of my first Ric- we used to record to 4-track tape and I'd go direct-out from my SVT to tape. It was a beautiful sound. I miss it.

Yeah, I’m a definitely a fan of them. I just always thought you’re supposed to play right over a pickup.

 

[JJR58]

Interesting. Got a link for that?

And surprise to no one, Hipshot has a bridge for Rics.

Doc just posted it. Their bridge is soooooooo much better.

 

[Count Bassie]

Yeah, I’m a definitely a fan of them. I just always thought you’re supposed to play right over a pickup.

I used to play right over/in front of the sweet-spot p'up. Thumbrest...

 

[theFixer]

Yeah, you're right there. Don't know if I'll see one in my house, but I'm all over that JAEBird, and that 12-string.

Cool! You take those... I'll take the RR and the NR

 

[BklynKen]

The Zero-mod Zero Mod 4001 Ric Thumbrest - Best Bass Gear
Zero Mod 4003v2 Fatboy Thumb Rest for Ric 4003 Clear

Neat. What if you play over the bridge pickup?

 

[JJR58]

Stop talking about Rics, i'm starting to like them again.