I know this doesn't mean much to most people but you almost never see a Rick 3000 series on stage.  I've see one once in a Cheech and Chong movie, of all places, and then last night on Saturday Night Live.  Arctic Monkey's bassist played one.  A 3000 was my first real bass.  You always remember your first.
Rich

Last month they had Primal Scream performing on the Brittish show Later and Mani played the whole thing on a Ric 3000 bass.  
 
According to several interviews he scoops up as many as possible because of their rarity and because he likes their powerful sound.