Track Rat
Just Your Average Sized Member
My Rickenbacker 4001. I have a P bass but there's something about the Rick....
GT
New member
Hey Track Rat,
That's the exact same bass I have, same color and everything.
I see you took the pickup cover off, I think everyone who owns one takes the cover off.
I use both pickups, and back off the volume on the neck pickup about halfway. How about you?
I use very high action, I can hit the strings as hard as I want, and no buzz. What action are you using?
Great Picture, I got all excited.
We are now brothers, joined at the Rick.
That's the exact same bass I have, same color and everything.
I see you took the pickup cover off, I think everyone who owns one takes the cover off.
I use both pickups, and back off the volume on the neck pickup about halfway. How about you?
I use very high action, I can hit the strings as hard as I want, and no buzz. What action are you using?
Great Picture, I got all excited.
We are now brothers, joined at the Rick.
Track Rat
Just Your Average Sized Member
Thanks GT
People either love Ricks or hate 'em. I bought it new in '77 and that's the first thing I did was pull off the cover (it was in the way when I played and it looks better without it). I keep the action low on mine and it doesn't buzz the frets. I've been using GHS contact core strings and it has that piano bass sound that I love. VERY cool.
People either love Ricks or hate 'em. I bought it new in '77 and that's the first thing I did was pull off the cover (it was in the way when I played and it looks better without it). I keep the action low on mine and it doesn't buzz the frets. I've been using GHS contact core strings and it has that piano bass sound that I love. VERY cool.
Ulli
New member
I play two basses, both unique ones:
A 5-string with Steinberger fingerboard and Bartolini pick ups and a specially designed Sandberg 4-string fretless. And of course, I love both
So they are my favourites, beside other existing bass guitars 
Sound examples:
- 5-string: "Freedom" by Sunburn In Cyprus
- 4-string: "Love goes on" by luga burn
--
Sunburn In Cyprus - Remix/Production project
Find our music at http://www.besonic.com/sic
A 5-string with Steinberger fingerboard and Bartolini pick ups and a specially designed Sandberg 4-string fretless. And of course, I love both
So they are my favourites, beside other existing bass guitars Sound examples:
- 5-string: "Freedom" by Sunburn In Cyprus
- 4-string: "Love goes on" by luga burn
--
Sunburn In Cyprus - Remix/Production project
Find our music at http://www.besonic.com/sic
Last edited:
frank_1
New member
I have one more question, does anyone have an mp3 of them or somebody playing their bass. If you post it, describe the bass so I an get a feel of what it might sound like (don't forget to mention the pickups!).
faithmonster
New member
hixmix said:
Second that! Suzi Quatro and Me'Shell Ndegeocello.
-just makes me hafta chew mah tongue!
Faithmonster
Aaron Cheney
Favorite Chord: C 6/9
Ernie Ball Music Man Sterling.
I've played guitar for 20 years and just got my first bass last week. I played 'em all. Just about anything you can name. For me it came down to a Fender Jazz and the EB Sterling, and the sterling won simply because it is so darn comfortable.
You can't go wrong with a Jazz. You just can't!
In my opinion, I'd say passive pu's are better for recording, and actives better for performing.
Aaron
http://www.aaroncheney.com
I've played guitar for 20 years and just got my first bass last week. I played 'em all. Just about anything you can name. For me it came down to a Fender Jazz and the EB Sterling, and the sterling won simply because it is so darn comfortable.
You can't go wrong with a Jazz. You just can't!
In my opinion, I'd say passive pu's are better for recording, and actives better for performing.
Aaron
http://www.aaroncheney.com
bongolation
New member
Here's Mine - But What IS It?
Here's my favorite one, but I can't remember the exact model. I knew what it was when I had it appraised about fifteen years ago, but I've forgotten what they called it. Thunderbird III, I think, but I'm not sure of the numeral.
http://www.netcolony.com/arts/epizeuxis/tbird.jpg
It's the original '60s version, not a reissue. Bought it for $75 in 1971 or so. Thought it was the ugliest thing I ever saw, but I figured that a cheap bass might come in handy sometime for a guitarist and at least it _was_ a Gibson, you know...
Terrible photo with my reflected slime smudges all over it, but you can sort of get the idea. It's in a lot nicer shape than it looks here and is extremely well-balanced and comfortable to play sitting down, which is why I love it so.
Also have a very cherry 1970 white-on-white P-Bass, but the T-Bird is really sweet.
And _please_, NOT "bass guitar." It's "electric bass."
Here's my favorite one, but I can't remember the exact model. I knew what it was when I had it appraised about fifteen years ago, but I've forgotten what they called it. Thunderbird III, I think, but I'm not sure of the numeral.
http://www.netcolony.com/arts/epizeuxis/tbird.jpg
It's the original '60s version, not a reissue. Bought it for $75 in 1971 or so. Thought it was the ugliest thing I ever saw, but I figured that a cheap bass might come in handy sometime for a guitarist and at least it _was_ a Gibson, you know...
Terrible photo with my reflected slime smudges all over it, but you can sort of get the idea. It's in a lot nicer shape than it looks here and is extremely well-balanced and comfortable to play sitting down, which is why I love it so.
Also have a very cherry 1970 white-on-white P-Bass, but the T-Bird is really sweet.
And _please_, NOT "bass guitar." It's "electric bass."
bongolation
New member
By the Way...
Has anyone tried these yet?:
http://www.dearmondguitars.com/pilotdeluxe.html
Cheaper Pilot models don't count, as they're substantially different in everything but general shape.
Has anyone tried these yet?:
http://www.dearmondguitars.com/pilotdeluxe.html
Cheaper Pilot models don't count, as they're substantially different in everything but general shape.
J
John Weigel
New member
Carvin LB20: $600, mahogany solid body w set in neck, ebony fingerboard, J pickups. Light weight, records beautifully, plays well... Ah, but it's not PINK!
bongolation
New member
I think my new favorite is my new "Hot Rodded" American Precision Bass: http://www.fender.com/electricbasses/pbass/hotrodamerseries/ashotrodpbass.html
Mine's exactly like the picture, right down to the grain.
BTW, I figured out what my mystery bass was - a c.1963 Gibson Thunderbird II. The Firebird guitars were odd-numbered and the Thunderbird basses were even-numbered, II and IV. The IV was the two-pickup version like Entwhistle played.
Mine's exactly like the picture, right down to the grain.
BTW, I figured out what my mystery bass was - a c.1963 Gibson Thunderbird II. The Firebird guitars were odd-numbered and the Thunderbird basses were even-numbered, II and IV. The IV was the two-pickup version like Entwhistle played.
gibs
New member
The 1970 Fender P that I sold for next to nothing in '77.......I liked the sound and the way the neck felt.......even though I like my Pilot a lot, I would still like to have that old bass back....although the Pilot has a J as well, plus pre........it's just not a Precision sound.....
sorry bongo, I have the cheap pilot and I like it......but like I said, it ain't no Precision........gibs
sorry bongo, I have the cheap pilot and I like it......but like I said, it ain't no Precision........gibs
bongolation
New member
Yeah, I have a very nice '70 P-Bass that I want to re-string and compare to the HotRod. Some of the '70s Fender stuff wasn't so hot, but this particular P-Bass is completely unobjectionable. I got it near-new from a guy in '71 or so for $200, which seemed like a lot at the time. Considering I just paid $499 for the HotRod, maybe it was...hmmm...
I need some flatwounds...
I need some flatwounds...
S
seamus
New member
MIM = Mexican, MIJ = Japanese, MIA = American
Fender - Depends on how much you want to spend. I know some like the MIM's, but I tried to find one I liked and never could. Some MIJ's are great, but I think some might be moved to MIM. If you find a decent MIJ, jump on it! They are every bit as good as the MIA's in some cases, and superior to MIM's IMO. MIA's are the best bet, better hardware and electronics in most cases. I never dug P-basses much, limited sound and application IMO. Jazz basses on the other hand, versatile and sweet. The pickups go with the bass, P pups, or J pups. Try to be sure you get a bass with USA made pickups in it, I find the foreign ones don't cut it.
Spector - Look no further than the Czech Spectors. Wonderful all around sound, and beautiful finishes. The necks can be a little on the chunky side though, so if you have small hands, you may want to look elsewhere. All Czech Spectors have active EMG pickups and active EQ. Love the sound! The 4's have a P/J setup, the 5's have dual soapbars (DC's).
Schecter - No experience with these, they don't seem to have anything I haven't found in other manufacturer's already. Still, give them a look, tastes vary from one player to the next.
Yamaha - Of the ones I have tried, I would strongly recommend checking out the TRB series. These come in 4-5-6 string congurations. The models are TRB4II, TRB5II, etc. Active single coil pups + dummy coils = soapbars. Active EQ as well.
Other - Not sure how much you want to spend, that is key to the decision process. Not sure what you play either, that's another consideration. Some basses are better at certain genres than others. I also don't know if you want just a 4 string or not.
Some others that may be worth a look are:
Stingray - around $1000
G&L L-2000 - $800-900
Carvin - Varies, but good fit and finish for the money (nice necks!)
Don't forget to inspect ANY bass very closely. Check the frets, neck pocket, tuners, etc. And also look for used bargains, you can get lots more bass for the money that way. Good luck!
Fender - Depends on how much you want to spend. I know some like the MIM's, but I tried to find one I liked and never could. Some MIJ's are great, but I think some might be moved to MIM. If you find a decent MIJ, jump on it! They are every bit as good as the MIA's in some cases, and superior to MIM's IMO. MIA's are the best bet, better hardware and electronics in most cases. I never dug P-basses much, limited sound and application IMO. Jazz basses on the other hand, versatile and sweet. The pickups go with the bass, P pups, or J pups. Try to be sure you get a bass with USA made pickups in it, I find the foreign ones don't cut it.
Spector - Look no further than the Czech Spectors. Wonderful all around sound, and beautiful finishes. The necks can be a little on the chunky side though, so if you have small hands, you may want to look elsewhere. All Czech Spectors have active EMG pickups and active EQ. Love the sound! The 4's have a P/J setup, the 5's have dual soapbars (DC's).
Schecter - No experience with these, they don't seem to have anything I haven't found in other manufacturer's already. Still, give them a look, tastes vary from one player to the next.
Yamaha - Of the ones I have tried, I would strongly recommend checking out the TRB series. These come in 4-5-6 string congurations. The models are TRB4II, TRB5II, etc. Active single coil pups + dummy coils = soapbars. Active EQ as well.
Other - Not sure how much you want to spend, that is key to the decision process. Not sure what you play either, that's another consideration. Some basses are better at certain genres than others. I also don't know if you want just a 4 string or not.
Some others that may be worth a look are:
Stingray - around $1000
G&L L-2000 - $800-900
Carvin - Varies, but good fit and finish for the money (nice necks!)
Don't forget to inspect ANY bass very closely. Check the frets, neck pocket, tuners, etc. And also look for used bargains, you can get lots more bass for the money that way. Good luck!
U
UnkleSlam
New member
Call me stupid, but I like any bass I've ever played with Fender on the headstock.
I also like Tobias,quite a lot.
I also like Tobias,quite a lot.
J
John Weigel
New member
Only two more things to add to Seamus' advice: try 'em out before you consider buying, and buy with your hands and ears, not your eyes.
C
CinciKid
New member
Music Man Stingray 5 w/ maple neck. Very distinctive tone. I have several other basses, but the Music Man is my favorite...
C
CinciKid
New member
Tobias
UnkleSlam <
> I love older Tobias basses. When Michael Tobais was still in charge of the shop. Unfortunately when Gibson bought them, it seems like the quality went down. Then Gibson shut down the shop! If you like Tobias basses, check out Michael Tobias new stuff with MTD on the headstock. (Michael Tobias Design) He is back to great handmade beautiful basses...
UnkleSlam <
> I love older Tobias basses. When Michael Tobais was still in charge of the shop. Unfortunately when Gibson bought them, it seems like the quality went down. Then Gibson shut down the shop! If you like Tobias basses, check out Michael Tobias new stuff with MTD on the headstock. (Michael Tobias Design) He is back to great handmade beautiful basses...
J
jvasey
New member
I've got two that are indispensable.
A 71 Precission, and an early 90's Warwick Streamer.
Jeff
A 71 Precission, and an early 90's Warwick Streamer.
Jeff