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74 Ric vs 74 P....please help

P

pig

Jul 18, 2009
97
1
Halifax, Nova Scotia
#1
Hey guys and gals, I have a chance to buy a super cheap 74 Ric and also a super cheap 74 Fender P. The catch is I can only get one. I havent played either for any significant amount of time so I need your help. I love the sound of Ric's and P's. Which one would give me a more crazy edgy sound.

Any thought, suggestions or opinions would be greatly appreciated.

Oh I also play through a Ampeg SVT-VR to an ampeg V-9 , if that matters at all.

Thanks
Pig
 
#4
You can always find a good USA P for cheap, often sub $800. (The '70's ones are notorious for bad QC. I'd give it a very good check over before buying it.) A good Ric is rare and usually overpriced if it's vintage. I'd take a Ric over a P anyday.
 
#7
Totally different instruments. I think the P is more of a universal sound while a Rick has a bit more of a distinctive tone.
I'd say that a Rick is a bit more edge to it, but I'd get the P if it's a good one. That being said I'm not a huge Rick fan. I'm not saying Ricks are bad; just not my thing. Play them both and go from there.
 
#15
get the ric! it is a lot more versatile,plus $1500 is about as cheap as you normally can find any decent shape 4000 series. i think there are any number of decent p basses that could be had for under a grand.

edit-just noticed it was for a 74 ric-same year as my 4000 that i've had for about 8 years now-and one of my all time favorite instruments that i have owned over 30 plus years....
 
#18
I ran into some hilariously opinionated youtube vids of a repair guy/bassist comparing Ric to P-bass, calling Rics "Stick-in-yourbackers". He makes quite a case for going with Fender, the main reasons being: Ric used much softer fretwire, neck adjustment issues, low output on the pickups, and connected to the soft fretwire - the frets are "lacquered in" so when replacement is needed you have to remove some binding.
I like Rics, I guess the main thing to look for is excessive fretwear. And consider using only flats with it. You'd also need to be comfortable with the lack of body contours if you're going to play the Ric a lot.
 

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