What bass is this? (Black Sabbath)

[EddieG]

Had anbother think about the white bass. Look at the dots on the fretboard compared to the Rickenbacker. Geezer's neck is a 21 fret neck, the Rick is a 20 fret neck. Also, the bridge has been moved forward.

My guess is that it's either a bass very closely based on the 2030, or is a Rickenbacker 2030 that has been converted to a short (or shorter scale) than the original neck.

Final answer, Chris.

 

[Doctor J]

Given that Birch was building SG copies for Tony, it's hardly beyond the realms of possibility that he made a bass for Geezer whose design was derived from another, no?

 

[Kink Rimson]

Given that Birch was building SG copies for Tony, it's hardly beyond the realms of possibility that he made a bass for Geezer whose design was derived from another, no?

It's clearly a John Birch headstock.

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he site's pretty bad but you get the idea.

 

[lousybassplayer]

I may jsut be hunting for conspiracy theories, but I don't think the 2030 was around when this bass was. I am suggesting that since we all seem to feel strongly that it is a Birch bass, that perhaps this design inspired the 2030. Essentially, when was the picture taken and when did the 2030 come out. If the pic and bass came before the 2030, I think we should get Birch to sue Rickenbacker.

 

[Doctor J]

Given the 4001 copies Birch makes, perhaps they should just call it quits

 

[PhR]

I may jsut be hunting for conspiracy theories, but I don't think the 2030 was around when this bass was. I am suggesting that since we all seem to feel strongly that it is a Birch bass, that perhaps this design inspired the 2030. Essentially, when was the picture taken and when did the 2030 come out. If the pic and bass came before the 2030, I think we should get Birch to sue Rickenbacker.

The pic was taken in 1974. Here's pics from January the 13th, 1973. Geezer's playing the same bass:
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[lousybassplayer]

Check this out from rickresource. NOwgranted its only one source, but they are pretty highly regarded by Ric guys as a good osurce of info. IT appears the 2030 came out in 1984.

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So I agree that its likley a Birch bass, and I agree there are some striking similarities to the 2030. However, my research so far says it is not based on nor a modified version of a 2030.

 

[bl2112]

The BC where the first Dio era(heaven and hell, the mob rules)