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Your thoughts...?

#21
user362432 said:
Rocktile brand is probably Chinese knockoff Ric. It has some sort neck through or glue-on neck.
I think you need serious setup on those both.
As about strings, that's eternal question. The best response and the most even strings I have are from GHS. One of my instruments have Yamaha original strings (they are not available anymore), One bass has Ken Smith, one has Rotosound, one has DR... So, many different options. Depend what you want to accomplish.
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Dear sir,
Many thanks!
What would you suggest for a ‘Jazz sound?’ I’m going to see if there is a local bass technician either here in Cardiff or London! Given I only paid £100 even if I have to spend a bit more at least I’ll get two fairly decent bass guitars to enjoy!
Many thanks,
Ray
 
#22
Hi. Try GHS Pressurewound. You will love it. I found it really great for many things. Very easy on fingers and very even sound string-by-string. I am considering to get me a few more sets and replace it on 3 of my other instruments.
 
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#23
Ray Higginson said:
4) lastly, in your opinion(s) what are the best strings that you’ve ever used?
Ray
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Depends on what sound you are looking for....I play Roundwounds for live play, because I usually play multi-genres...Its easier to roll off zing of new fresh rounds to sound deader than it is to make dead strings sound alive with lots of stringy structure....In the studio, its different --- because things are far more critical under the microscope...For studiowork, I have basses strung with rounds, flatwounds, and tapewounds depending on what sound/tone is required for whatever genre Im doing...With that said, strings are going to be a personal preference for whatever sound you are looking for

By the way, those Fakenbackers look great!

Welcome and best of luck
 
#25
Rib 13 said:
Depends on what sound you are looking for....I play Roundwounds for live play, because I usually play multi-genres...Its easier to roll off zing of new fresh rounds to sound deader than it is to make dead strings sound alive with lots of stringy structure....In the studio, its different --- because things are far more critical under the microscope...For studiowork, I have basses strung with rounds, flatwounds, and tapewounds depending on what sound/tone is required for whatever genre Im doing...With that said, strings are going to be a personal preference for whatever sound you are looking for

By the way, those Fakenbackers look great!

Welcome and best of luck
Click to expand...
Dear Sir,
Thank you very much. The roundwound vs Flatwound debate seems to be an ongoing one. I’m going to give ‘Jazz’ style flatwounds a go!
Regards,
Ray
 
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#26
My younger brother is a drummer and absolutely nuts for Ringo. He has a friend in the Ringo inner circle who arranged to use a set of my brother's sticks on a Ringo kit going up for auction. My brother was beside himself. I'm surprised you didn't get a violin bass like Paul McCartney used so often, though I know he used Ricks too.
 
#27
Ray Higginson said:
1) I paid £100 each fir these, was this a bargain?
2) has anyone else played / owned a ‘fake’ Rickenbacker? I love playing the bass, and have done since I was 15 (I’m now 47) but I’ve never been lucky enough to purchase a real one, so I’ve nothinc to compare them to!
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Hi Ray. I don't know this brand, but I guess that them being a knock-off they are what you paid for. Like others before me have said, there are tons of options to improve your action and string height. Search and you shall find.

On the other hand, you seem to own an awful amount of Gretsch axes. Are they counterfeit or real? Because if they are real, then you are very likely to be able to afford an actual Rickenbacker (which will give you also a fair amount of grief each time you want to modify the setup).
 
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#28
image.jpg
KohanMike said:
My younger brother is a drummer and absolutely nuts for Ringo. He has a friend in the Ringo inner circle who arranged to use a set of my brother's sticks on a Ringo kit going up for auction. My brother was beside himself. I'm surprised you didn't get a violin bass like Paul McCartney used so often, though I know he used Ricks too.
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Wow!! Thank you for sharing!
That is an amazing story! I’d be beside myself too! Ringo is very underrated but he’s my drummer hero! It’s not fair to compare him to my other idol: Buddy Rich - different strokes for different folks!
I do have a Hofner!
 
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#29
FerK said:
Hi Ray. I don't know this brand, but I guess that them being a knock-off they are what you paid for. Like others before me have said, there are tons of options to improve your action and string height. Search and you shall find.

On the other hand, you seem to own an awful amount of Gretsch axes. Are they counterfeit or real? Because if they are real, then you are very likely to be able to afford an actual Rickenbacker (which will give you also a fair amount of grief each time you want to modify the setup).
Click to expand...
Hi,
Thank you for the reply!
All my Gretsch Guitars are real! Which, I guess, is why I can’t affird a 4001 yet! I’ll see how I get on with my new Ricky copies & I’ll start saving again for the real thing!
Many thanks,
Ray
 
#34
Ray Higginson said:
Thank you! During the 60s there was a Beatles cartoon made, in the USA. I bought these artist ‘stills’ (used as part of the filming process) in Liverpool - they are great fun!
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Oh, yeah...I'm quite familiar with the "Let's capitalize on <insert band's name> popularity with a cheaply made cartoon!" schtick. There was a very similar show with The Jackson 5 as it's heroes.

On a related note, the twisted minds behind "TV Funhouse" did a parody of those band-themed cartoons. Do a Google search for "Black Sabbath Cartoon" and you'll find it without a problem. Suffice it to say, it was spot-on. :roflmao:

As for "strings", I recently got a set of Rotosound Solo Bass 55 stainless steel pressurewounds and tried them out on a Jazz bass. I'm sure the pickups, and to a smaller extent the '70s-style pickup spacing, contributed a lot to it's über-growly sound, but I'm well aware how crucial strings are to the overall sonic palette.
 
#35
Malak the Mad said:
Oh, yeah...I'm quite familiar with the "Let's capitalize on <insert band's name> popularity with a cheaply made cartoon!" schtick. There was a very similar show with The Jackson 5 as it's heroes.

On a related note, the twisted minds behind "TV Funhouse" did a parody of those band-themed cartoons. Do a Google search for "Black Sabbath Cartoon" and you'll find it without a problem. Suffice it to say, it was spot-on. :roflmao:

As for "strings", I recently got a set of Rotosound Solo Bass 55 stainless steel pressurewounds and tried them out on a Jazz bass. I'm sure the pickups, and to a smaller extent the '70s-style pickup spacing, contributed a lot to it's über-growly sound, but I'm well aware how crucial strings are to the overall sonic palette.
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Hi,
Thank you for the reply! I’ll have a search & look for both the video & strings!
Cheers!
Ray
 
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#36
Welcome to TB. It looks as though the bridge on the maple bass is a different style than the one on the burst. Perhaps that is part of the problem, if the saddles won't adjust low enough it will never work. Sometimes replacing the saddles is a cheaper, easier way to lower action when all other adjustment attempts have failed. Hope this helps.
 
#37
Ray Higginson said:
So I’ll give the truss rod a 1/4 turn! If that doesn’t fix it - I’ll find a bass tech!
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Give it as much as it needs to get decent. If that doesn't help, send it to Invalid Link Removed :cool:

I got a bass last week and had to tighten the neck by 1/2 a turn to have it where I wanted, then I put different strings on and tightened another 1/4. Took the action down to 1.6-2.1 mm from the G to the B string.
 
#38
image.jpg
jamro217 said:
Welcome to TB. It looks as though the bridge on the maple bass is a different style than the one on the burst. Perhaps that is part of the problem, if the saddles won't adjust low enough it will never work. Sometimes replacing the saddles is a cheaper, easier way to lower action when all other adjustment attempts have failed. Hope this helps.
Click to expand...
Thank you so much!
I’ve taken the saddles right down but the strings are still too high.
I’ve tried to capture this in the attached picture. Thanks again; I’ll keep my eye out for a new bridge!
Ray
 
#40
Ray Higginson said:
Hi,
I think you’re right! I’d hate ruin them! However, I live in the South Wales valleys and although there are one / two music shops in Cardiff - neither has a resident Guitar technician, which means a trip to London! I just though if I could do it myself (with advice) I could avoid that. I’ll have to see if I can post them to one of the Guitar shops in London!
Many thanks,
Ray
Click to expand...

You can definitely do it yourself, if you do a little investigative reading/watching videos first. Even if you don’t intend to do it yourself, you should read up so that you know what the issues are.

There are certainly qualified techs closer to you than London... Bristol, Bath. Also, I’d give Nobles in Cardiff a call.

It ain’t rocket science...
 

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