Steve Rickwood Music
I have owned and used a ton of equipment over the years. This is pretty much definitive of the current time - not likely to change much either. Some oldies cannot go as they were old touring workhorses - although ironically, two of the most important ones...I sold!!
Most of these are owned for a reason and everything gets used. No pristine collection for me - this stuff takes the flak!
This is a model from 1986. These basses have unique electronics and are simply lovely. This was built by the original luthiers who both sadly, are no longer with us. I flew up to Edinburgh purchase this and met another top person in the process.
Like many of the basses I own, there is a story behind this bass. Too long for here but it has previously been altered in a heathenistic fashion by inserting Fender Jazz pickups!! Luckily it has been restored and deservedly lives to play those out of tune notes :)
This is a Carl Thompson Bass - it took a trip to Indianapolis and a lot of chaos getting it back to the UK. Retrospect always seems funnier... CT basses are made in Brooklyn NY and no longer make custom models.
This is a copy of a Carl Thompson Rainbow bass as used by Les Claypool. Coincidentally it was also from Indianapolis. This is a 6-string fretless model built by a guy called Christopher Small.
This is another Carl Thompson copy, built by a luthier in France. This is a 6-string copy of a Carl Thompson that Les Claypool was using circa 'Tales From the Punchbowl'.
Based on a 60's Fender (the bass equivalent of buying ripped jeans!) - features a tone control on each volume...funky!
A new addition to the Fender Flea Signature model. Ballsy and straightforward.
An incredible replica of the 72' Jazz used by Geddy Lee. Plays excellently and is a true workhorse.
Based on a 62' Jazz bass owned by Guy Pratt - an active jazz bass and ridiculously good quality for the price. Better still, it comes from The Bass Centre which we know and love from it's heyday :)
Custom built by Bernie Goodfellow - this was previously owned by my friend Ian, who had had some modifications done by Andy Crockett. A super-jazz bass.
1988ish model. An early one, with 26 fret and EMG pickups. Sounds ike a Warwick!
80s Basses are my favourites, and this is a top model built by Bernie Goodfellow. He still makes high end basses.
Love or hate responses from the masses! I totally dug this, despite my limited knowledge of Joe Dart's playing - it is a modern version of my old Musicman Stingray effectively as it has a volume control, and that's it! My Stingray is modified and the electronics are basically that; this means the hands have to do the work to manipulate the tone.
This Musicman Stingray has a history and a story which led me to it in a small shop on tour once. It was fretless, but now has Warwick frets, and the electronics are passive with a Bartolini pickup. It has one good sound and was my workhorse between 2001 and 2010. Kind of retired at present as it needs a service. It also has a Hipshot D-Tuner.
This involved a flight of insanity to Aberdeen to a guy who was veeeery reluctant to sell. It is a re-issue of the original Fender Paisley Basses. It now also sports a Seymour Duncan pickup for a little more 'clout'!
My first Fretless bass, given to me by my brother and his wife. This is a superb fretless and was my main fretless until the last few years. Great balance, solid tone and a comfy body. Yamaha have always been superb value and I have owned several over the years icluding an early RBX, a 5 string BB (which became fretless) and a Nathan East Signature which I truly regret selling!
A fantastic bass - the Billy Sheehan Signature. Stereo outputs, and scalloped frets. Also sports a Hipshot D-Tuner. Great bass for rock.
Obscure electro-acoustic bass - based on the orgiginal RIck Turner bass. Quite unique tones, and even though I wasn't fussed about owning an acoustic, the playability of this changed my mind!
The last bass I purchased but the first bass I ever wanted! Go figure.
You have to really. A cheap copy purchased on a night out in Latvia! Well, it was my birthday... I wish it looked less glossy but otherwise, it's a fantastic nod to the history of pop bass.
I sold my old Supernatural Jaydee but along the way I needed a backup for some recording, and I needed a 6 string. This came up, and it is great! I dont think they made many.
This was one of my teenage 'wants'! Only recently purchased, I fixed it all up to make a very playable bass. I use it in my 80s band as it matches the guitar!
I used to borrow one of these when I was starting out - a decent Japanese model from the Matsumoko factory.
A thouroughly excellent acoustic - I have never required another!
The Alex Lifeson model.
Made in Canada during 1987-89, there were probably only 500 guitars made out of all of the respective designs. This is a neck-thru Oracle.
A bolt-on Oracle model - plays and feels quite different to the neck-thru. I tracked this down in a small village in Italy.
A custom built model by Patrick Eggle (90s) which my friend sold me in 2000. Totally lovely guitars.
An 80s Steinberger copy - totally brilliant actually!
Custom refinish by Scott Gutteridge - this was originally Gun Metal grey, but I decided to use it for the 80s band I was working with, and make it a little more of the era than it already was!
Another bass I used to desire as a youth - this was found in The Bass Centre in Wapping circa 2000. Currently away for repairs, it has a powerful sound and no lack of definition. The entire bass is made of Carbon Grahite.
Taking over from the long abused, but totally excellent Xio. I used this when a synth part is required - mostly custom programmed to get the sound as close as possible
The epicentre! To be honest, there's nothing better than the sound of a bass direct into an amp. However, there are times where technology is called upon for recreating, or simply different colours to help create new ideas. Lots of stuff on this board for the 80s band including a vocal pedal that is programmed for some of the songs we play.
Quite simply the best bass amplification I have ever used. I often maintain that if old Trace Elliot gear was lighter, I'd still use it. Bergantino go beyond anything I have ever used - you have to try it to believe me!
80s 'lunchbox' guitar amp. LOUD!
Boss Multi-fx for guitar - old technology now but plenty of options.
Boss Bass Multi-fx. Did many years touring this - solid and hardwearing.