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Teach me about Rickenbackers....

C

CrashCarlisle

Sep 13, 2011
251
4
#1
Please.

I know what they sound like. What I don't know is what to look for in one. I live in the Dallas area and can't find a place that sells them so I can get my grubby fingers on them and try them out.

Where is the serial number? If I'm looking at a used one, what should I check on it?

The only one I've found locally is at a pawn shop. They priced it at $4000. I told them it must be rare to have a bass made out of gold. But they said the manufacturer recommended they not sell it for less than $3k, which of course set the price at $3000 right there. The pawn shop guy told me it was a 2002, but I didn't know how to check or where to find the serial number.

Then I found that very same bass listed on Craigslist. Here it is, with a photo. It's a five-string. Does that make it rare?

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

I'm very sorry to approach TalkBass like a freakin' beginner, but this is the knowledge source and I'm not too proud to ask.

And what question am I NOT asking about Rickenbackers that I should?
 
#2
CrashCarlisle said:
....But they said the manufacturer recommended they not sell it for less than $3k....
Click to expand...

Total BS. Rickenbacker does not get involved in pricing their used gear. In fact, discussing pricing on the Rickenbacker Factory Forums is against forum rules.

However, you can check eBay recent sales to get an idea of values. Also, you can visit the Rick Resource Forums, a private forum that not only discusses Rics, but has an appraisal section, and also a very comprehensive register of Rics of just about every vintages and style with recent sale prices of such.

Joeys Bass Notes is another place to research.

Then there is a Rickenbacker Club here with members who know Rics inside and out and are happy to share their knowledge:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/rickenbacker-club-part-six-849007/index5.html

You are smart in researching first. Don't just buy one from a CL listing or a pawn shop unless you know what to look for. Just as in anything; there are fakes, modified/damaged beyond repair ones, misrepresented mfg years, etc., etc.

Oh yeah, the serial number is on the jack plate and the Rickenbacker International web site has a Serial Number Decoder (under the Service link I believe). But if the jack plate has been replaced, it is all moot.
 
#4
Thanks so much for the replies so far. Yeah, I'm not paying $3k for a Rickenbacker. But it's a five string - does that matter? I'll go to the club forum and start asking there.

I would really like to PLAY on a 4-string before making any decisions.
 
#7
If you want a four, get a four... these are plentiful. Fives are out of production and harder to find. Ric5 does some beautiful 4-5 conversions, though, if five is what you find you prefer.

$1600 is pretty well the baseline price for a newer one, at the moment. If you are looking at 60's and 70's Rics, these commonly fetch $2-4K depending on the condition. Some of the rarest ones, a little more, for example, the Chris Squire signature model. I've seen some come up for five figures but that's just stupid, unless it's Sir Paul's actual personal bass.

For the vintage ones, the toaster neck pickup and horseshoe bridge pickup generally add to value IF the pickups are original. These pickups are still available new, and interchangeable from instrument to instrument 4001/4003/4004, so unless the bass dates to the 60's and 70's, these might have been added later.

The neck is far less tapered than on other basses. I happen to love this. Some guys don't. You need to try one out, before you buy, and decide for yourself.

Most have two output jacks. One mono (standard), and one stereo (Ric-O-Sound), which can be used to split the two pickup signals out to two different amps. This is one of the coolest features, in my opinion. Some (I think the McCartney model is one) have just one jack. Unless you're sure you would never use the Ric-O-Sound feature, don't limit yourself, and make sure you've got both, and both are working.

The Rickenbacker website has a tool for dating by serial number. No specs or detailed information, but's it's easy to use.

The 4001 and 4003 are essentially the same instrument. The 4001 has the stripe up the middle, and the pickups tend to be weaker, especially in the bass circuit. The 4003's have hotter electronics... although some of us prefer the sound of the 4001's. The 4004 is active and humbucking, so it's a totally different animal, tonally. Still a great bass - just a more modern sound. Again, these parts interchange with the older ones, in case you want to hot-rod a 4001/4003. But, just consider that every step away from original will likely diminish it's value. Vintage pickups should be rewound, or at least kept with the instrument.

Obviously just some really basic info. Sounded like you weren't too familiar with Rics, and wanted some basics? If you have some specific questions, there are a lot of us here, as well as the Ric forum, that can help you more.

Best of luck. hrb
 
#8
Rickenbackers might have been the first production neck through bass , and were one of the first to have a hefty bridge . They also have double truss rods and a stereo output . You can pull out the truss rods and straighten them if you need to .

They are not made like other basses . The necks do not taper to the same degree as a Fender style neck . They feel quite different . Try one before you buy .
 
#9
Just for the record, I bought my 1986 4003S/5 (in mint condition) about 4 years ago before the bottom dropped out for $900... I got a steal on it, though. The month before one sold on eBay for $3950--an insane price if you ask me even then.

The 4003S/5 is fairly rare. Not as many out there as the 4003s. It doesn't have binding on the body and there are no sharkfin inlays. Also, it has a mono input... not the Ric-O-Sound.

The string spacing on a 4003S/5 is super tight. Very different and difficult to play without a pick. If you want to play fingerstyle on one, you will have to modify your attack. No biggie if you're up to it.

I love mine but it's not for everyone.
 
#10
I think it is important to play one or have a return option.

As someone said they are not for everyone. Lots of folks love em.

In my case its one of the few basses I've gassed over and then promptly crossed off the list 5 minutes after picking one up at the store.

I did not like the feel (no contour body) and, though I'm pleased to be corrected by someone who knows more, the one I played hummed even with both pups wide open. I assume this is because the two pups are not identical and therefore do not fully hum cancel like a Fender? Not sure if that's true or not but I can't stand any hum since I play at home solo most of the time.
 
#11
Wow, I've learned more from this thread than spending day on the Internets. Thanks so much.

"Getting my hands on one" is the biggest issue. Where? There are zero dealers in North Texas. Maybe next time I'm in Austin....

I really appreciate theh information, and will keep an eye out.....
 
#13
If new is an option, most of the big retailers allow returns (just don't abuse it). You could also keep an eye on Craigslist in your area. You might not find "the one" but it could be a way to try one out.

As someone said they are not for everyone. But, as you know there are folks who would trade their firstborn (or at least their wife) for a Ric!
 
#15
HeavyRockBasser said:
The 4004 is active and humbucking, so it's a totally different animal, tonally. Still a great bass - just a more modern sound.
Click to expand...

4004s are not active and definitely don't sound modern at all. They sound a lot like a good Precision with a little bit of the warm bite from a 4003's neck pickup. A very cool mix and it's a shame they're hard to find in-person. Try 'em with rounds and flats. I have two and a Ruby on its way soon enough.

They're wired from the factory with a neck/bridge/combined selector switch, volume, and tone, but almost every used 4004 I've seen is modified to have separate analog volumes (and usually tones) for each pickup.
 
#17
HeavyRockBasser said:
If you want a four, get a four... these are plentiful. Fives are out of production and harder to find. Ric5 does some beautiful 4-5 conversions, though, if five is what you find you prefer.

$1600 is pretty well the baseline price for a newer one, at the moment. If you are looking at 60's and 70's Rics, these commonly fetch $2-4K depending on the condition. Some of the rarest ones, a little more, for example, the Chris Squire signature model. I've seen some come up for five figures but that's just stupid, unless it's Sir Paul's actual personal bass.

For the vintage ones, the toaster neck pickup and horseshoe bridge pickup generally add to value IF the pickups are original. These pickups are still available new, and interchangeable from instrument to instrument 4001/4003/4004, so unless the bass dates to the 60's and 70's, these might have been added later.

The neck is far less tapered than on other basses. I happen to love this. Some guys don't. You need to try one out, before you buy, and decide for yourself.

Most have two output jacks. One mono (standard), and one stereo (Ric-O-Sound), which can be used to split the two pickup signals out to two different amps. This is one of the coolest features, in my opinion. Some (I think the McCartney model is one) have just one jack. Unless you're sure you would never use the Ric-O-Sound feature, don't limit yourself, and make sure you've got both, and both are working.

The Rickenbacker website has a tool for dating by serial number. No specs or detailed information, but's it's easy to use.

The 4001 and 4003 are essentially the same instrument. The 4001 has the stripe up the middle, and the pickups tend to be weaker, especially in the bass circuit. The 4003's have hotter electronics... although some of us prefer the sound of the 4001's. The 4004 is active and humbucking, so it's a totally different animal, tonally. Still a great bass - just a more modern sound. Again, these parts interchange with the older ones, in case you want to hot-rod a 4001/4003. But, just consider that every step away from original will likely diminish it's value. Vintage pickups should be rewound, or at least kept with the instrument.

Obviously just some really basic info. Sounded like you weren't too familiar with Rics, and wanted some basics? If you have some specific questions, there are a lot of us here, as well as the Ric forum, that can help you more.

Best of luck. hrb
Click to expand...

Thanks for all the info here! I have actually learned a lil bit about Rics from this thread and I have played one for 15 years!

I'm a if it ain't broke dont fix it type, but I have always been curious about the toaster and horseshoe pickups. Is that what makes the 4001 more trebly/less bassy?

I have a 4003S and I don't know what you call the pickups (if they have a name) but they arent the horseshoe or toaster. To be honest I have only played a few others and havent played another I like. All the others I have tried are either 4001s or 4003s. Mine is the only "S" series I have played. One thing I notice is a noticeably more round, bassier, warmer tone on mine. I was always told it would be super trebly before I got one, and it just simply isn't. Not that it sounds like a Jazz but it has a rounder, jazz-like tone than other Rics I have tried ... which sound a little more hollow and trebly to my ears.

Also, note that Rics have another feature that I haven't personally seen on any other bass. A built in bridge mute that can be employed or taken with ease!

And I personally love the lack of neck taper!!! Its made it to where the Fender taper feels a little weird to me now.
 

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