Firefly RE Bass - A RickenSpired Wonder or RickenDisaster?

Keith checks out the Firefly RE Bass. Is this $250 Rickenbacker Bass copy worth a look? Let's find out...
Time Stamps:
Intro/First Impressions - 0:00
Stock Demo - 3:00
Overview - 4:55
Final Thoughts - 9:09
Keith Leedham is an independent recording artists/studio owner/tinkerer.
He owns "The Tape Farm" a recording studio that specializes in transferring "pro-sumer" analog tape formats from manufactures like Tascam and Fostex.
Website: www.thetapefarm.com
Facebook: / thetapefarm
As an independent recording artists Keith has released singles, EPs and full length albums. With styles ranging from Progressive Rock to Country to Singer/Songwriter to Hard Rock to what ever the song dictates.
Website: www.keithleedham.com
He also tinkers with various audio equipment such as tape machines, guitars and guitar amps. When he comes across something interesting he posts the progress/results on KZbin.

[@chrisadams628]

I'm so happy that I found this video. Not only does it bring the idea of having a Rick closer to me, but it also helped me solve the wiring for a kit guitar I'm working on right now.

[@Keith-rk4td]

I really want one! I used to have a really poor Japanese copy many years ago. This one looks and sounds better than the Harley Benton.

[@nigellacey559]

Awsome colour

[@RobKMusic]

Sounds amazing. Send me that patch! lol.

[@TheTapeFarm]

Same patch… with some of your tweaks.

[@zuperdee]

The shape is hopefully just different enough to avoid a lawsuit from a certain unmentionable company. 😂 Yeah, that bridge pickup cover is rather odd… but then again, I realize some might say the same about the Telecaster bridge pickup cover. 😂 It seems to have a pretty big sound! I can see why Paul McCartney ended up going back to his Hofner though, with that kind of weight…

[@dmeros]

Your demo sounded great! :-) I'm impressed that they at least tried to do a proper 33.25" Ric scale. I read that you used an SVT model, which software company is that?

[@TheTapeFarm]

Thanks. Logic Pro with some Slate plug ins.

[@dmeros]

@@TheTapeFarm Thanks!! 👍👍

[@rogereverett4467]

I received mine a couple of days ago. All. I had to do was raise the bridge until the buzzes stopped. So far, so good.

[@chachabooom5]

May i ask where you purchased?

[@2112musician]

Dude you rock so hard.

[@TheTapeFarm]

Thanks!

[@2112musician]

​@@TheTapeFarmI bought the last one of their most recent lot after watching your video. The one that I purchased has the same blue color as yours. Can't wait until it arrives. I hope it sounds and plays as good as yours does. I'm confident that it will because I own four of their guitars.

[@TheTapeFarm]

@@2112musician I’ve got some parts in for some upgrades. I’ll be doing a video on that in a few weeks. Just have some other videos that need to get done first. Should be fun.

[@thetownspeople6486]

I played a Rickenbacker bass that someone in the band I was in had one. The one thing that stood out to me was how much thinner the neck was, considered to a Fender. Both in the strings being closer and the neck thinner. I really liked it. That Firefly neck looks thicker. Closer to a Fender. I’m wondering if it’s just the camera or not.

[@TheTapeFarm]

I took some measurements of the neck in the overview section. I would say it isn’t a baseball bat, but it is likely thicker than a Rick. The profile also flattens out as you go up the neck.

[@christopherfidler3019]

The 4004L is the best Rickenbacker bass I have played. A lot of bass players lust after Hofner's and Rickenbackers and I am not a fan of either. Leo Fender got it right. G&L Guitars and Basses are underrated. I like the Saddle Lock Bridges, MFD Pickups and Passive Wiring tricks that they do. I'm 90% sure the Tribute and Fullerton line share the same Pickups and Bridges. Terrific Value for an Import line of Instruments.

[@TheTapeFarm]

@@christopherfidler3019 Leo absolutely got it right, twice.

[@Mr.Monster1313]

Great video. Bass sounds pretty good,, ive always wanted a 4001 ricki.. hey whats that smaller epiphone guitar you played with the p90s ? Wow cool...

[@TheTapeFarm]

339 P90 Pro. Awesome guitar. Smaller body 335.

[@steverolfeca]

@@TheTapeFarm I LOVE 339's, and P90's. I have the same combo, but full-hollow (Casino Coupe). I'd be interested in checking out the semi...

[@steverolfeca]

If I wasn't allergic to heavy basses, I'd have that in an instant. I see that it's still in stock, and hasn't been taken down for copyright issues yet...

[@TheTapeFarm]

Yet being the key word there. Not as heavy as I thought, but still quite a hunk of lumber.

[@chachabooom5]

Where can you buy it?

[@TheTapeFarm]

@@chachabooom5 guitarsgarden.com Currently sold out.

[@warnold909]

Did you have to do any neck adjustments out of the box? I've had uneven luck with Fireflys for set up. (The quality of the instrument for the price is unassailable, but some things just aren't done carefully)

[@TheTapeFarm]

I did have to tweak the truss rod a bit to put more relief in the neck. But I just consider that normal set up stuff that any guitar under $500 is going to need… many over $500 need it as well.

[@Jesuswinsbirdofmichigan]

#36_NiceReview_GreatTones_SS_Frets_🇺🇸

[@aldito7586]

Nice tone on that. Do you have any distortion on that?

[@TheTapeFarm]

Just lots of gain on the SVT amp model.

[@nigellacey559]

There are no silly rush songs

[@TheTapeFarm]

Only when I attempt them.

[@caseycampbell8954]

Could i buy this off of you?

[@TheTapeFarm]

Nope… sorry. I’m about to do some upgrades to it… stay tuned 🤘

[@jamesonpace726]

Had a 4001 once upon a time & that's about the right amount of heavy, but I wouldn't have a copy. Also, nice knee scars there, tuff guy....

[@TheTapeFarm]

Knee scars, a 10” scar on my right arm, and various others here there and everywhere…. The glorious results of a misspent youth.

[@abouc]

Every scar tells a story

[@BuffaloC305]

"Would I rather mod at $2000 name-guitar or a $250 no-name?"

[@TheTapeFarm]

I’d much rather experiment on the $250 one. I would hope the $2000 instrument wouldn’t need to modded.

[@christopherfidler3019]

@@TheTapeFarm some of these affordable brands (EART, Grote, JET, Firefly, Westcreek, Valgoa, Leo Jaymz, etc.) make good guitars for mod projects. I rather have one of these to start with instead of a cheap DIY Kit or Chibson.

[@TheTapeFarm]

@@christopherfidler3019 totally agree. I have always said that Fireflys are great mod platforms. All the wood parts are really solid. The hardware and electronics can be swap bit by bit and you end up with a really great instrument that is uniquely your own. I couldn’t agree more.

[@DeadKoby]

The minute that John Hall catches wind of this, the legal team will be brought in. Ric protects their assets more forcefully than any other guitar maker.

[@TheTapeFarm]

Yes they do. I talked about that in the video I did on the Greco Ric. Firefly may be just small enough to stay off their radar. But we’ll see.

[@christopherfidler3019]

There are plenty of differences here (like a Jacksonbacker). The headstock, truss-rod cover, frets, neck profile, scale length, pickups and electronics, pickup positions relative to the scale, pickguard dimensions, controls, horn shapes, bridge, finish, etc. are nothing like a Rickenbacker. The 70's Japanese Lawsuit Era guitars are a different story.

[@TheTapeFarm]

@@christopherfidler3019 a story a talked about in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i2HJeph9hdR1bpIsi=TMXCSDg1yT1wmiR0

[@trinacria1956]

Rick cops don't have time to do any legal this batch already sold out .

[@666pinkster]

Rickenbacker is not like Gibson Rickenbacker aggressively protects its patents these guys are going to get trouble

[@arthurbrucecrawford6896]

Would you get that easily fooled into thinking it is a real Ric? I can tell it is a knock off for miles!