I love Rickenbacker 4003s, but...

Gogreen666 · #1 08-23-2011, 04:20 PM

I can't afford one at the moment. Would anyone know of a good PU that could help me come even slightly closer to the Ric sound? Or should I just tough it out and eat ramen noodles until I can afford a Ric? Thanks!

waleross · #2 08-23-2011, 05:49 PM

Tough it out and save . I paid $ the current price for a new one last fall. Maybe you can find one up for sale used. The stores that sell them sell out their inventory fast. You never know somebody who is economically distressed might want to sell asap. Hang in there, you'll get one ....Good luck

Gizmot · #3 08-23-2011, 05:55 PM

The "Ric" sound is created by more than the pickups - it's the combination of pickups, wood, body shape, the neck-through construction, etc.
Although I love my 4001 (I've had it since '78), I don't necessarily think the pickups are that great. They could have more output and do a better job of hum reduction.
But - the overall workmanship and sound are worth scrimping for

I<34080 · #4 08-23-2011, 05:57 PM

I feel like you'll buy the pick ups and wish you had just used the money to keep saving.

kenfxj · #5 08-23-2011, 06:00 PM

Save up and buy an actual Ric. I can all but guarantee you won't regret it.

Failing that, buy a used Peavey T-40. They can come pretty close, tone-wise. Plus they're pretty cool basses in their own right.

**RaginRog** · #6 08-23-2011, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gogreen666

I can't afford one at the moment. Would anyone know of a good PU that could help me come even slightly closer to the Ric sound? Or should I just tough it out and eat ramen noodles until I can afford a Ric? Thanks!

Save up at least $1400....that'll be enough to get yourself a good one on the used market, and you may even be able to get one a little cheaper than that.

Make sure you play one first, or perhaps buy from a retailer that has a return policy. You'll want to play it in every situation...maybe even a gig, before finding yourself stuck with a bass you may not like.

It was the "mecca" bass for me when I started out...and I didn't end up with one for several years. Bought 2 (even had 3 )at one time...and really tried to love them, but they just weren't for me. I'm not even going to get into the reasons why because I don't want to cloud your perception...and it may turn out that you LOVE them. But, personally I'm still drawn to them, because I still think they are the absolute best looking bass ever made.

So, Good Luck to you...and try putting 2 slices of American Cheese, with some paprika in your ramen noodles...makes it yummy!!

Gogreen666 · #7 08-23-2011, 06:04 PM

Thank you all for the replies. I was afraid of that! Haha. I suppose there just aren't really any shortcuts. Ramen 25 pack number one: here I come!

FaithNoMan · #8 08-23-2011, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gogreen666

I can't afford one at the moment. Would anyone know of a good PU that could help me come even slightly closer to the Ric sound? Or should I just tough it out and eat ramen noodles until I can afford a Ric? Thanks!

Buy a thin bass made of hard maple(like a Ripper). Or hard ash, like a Peavey T-40, like Ken said - the T-40 also has passive pickups that sound awesome, and can do decent impression of a Ric.

I just sold an Epiphone Ripper that had a remarkable Ric-like attack. It had a G&L MFD humbucker in it, which was nothing like a Ric single coil. I truly believe it sounded that way because the body was thin maple. You could hear its' pianoish highs, even unamplified.

I only sold it because I play my Ric most of the time.

FaithNoMan · #9 08-23-2011, 06:27 PM

Here's an example - different pickup and position than a 4003, and even a bolt-on neck, but sounds remarkably Ricish b/c of the body. Gibson Grabber:

Olde Green Day bass lines on a Gibson bass - YouTube

Here's my Ric, with no preamp of any sort, and just a small bit of compression b/c it's just a straight DI signal:

http://soundcloud.com/grinere/4003-straight-to-board

BassGen · #10 08-23-2011, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gogreen666

Thank you all for the replies. I was afraid of that! Haha. I suppose there just aren't really any shortcuts. Ramen 25 pack number one: here I come!

I guess you missed the sale Musician's Friend had in August? $1299 and you could apply discount coupons too. Guys were getting them (Midnight Blue) for $1104 and sometimes even less.

FaithNoMan · #11 08-23-2011, 06:47 PM

I agree, Bassgen! I was trying to sell stuff to buy one, but ultimately decided one is enough for now.

Gogreen, I put up a direct clip of my Ric next to that guy playing Greenday for you to compare=)

Rion · #12 09-02-2011, 06:09 AM

I carved some space in my jazz bass and fitted two rickenbacker pickups there, sounds nice and all, but the bridge can get a little buzzy on the bass so i keep it low there. The neck on the other side is clear as a glass of water and gives a good punch.

**ronaldpdbrandt** · #13 09-02-2011, 06:22 AM

Keep watching your local and surrounding Craigslists. I got mine from a drummer who was cleaning house and had a 1981 4003 in his practice room "for goofing around". He was listing it for $800, and I talked him down to $750!