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74 Ric vs 74 P....please help
- Thread starter pig
- Start date
I thought the rick would be the "end all" bass for me until I tried it. Couldn't stand the feel. Just felt strange to me. A p bass feels like an old friend, where as a rick feels like a first date.
A Rickenbacker still is the sexiest bass of all time though
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A Rickenbacker still is the sexiest bass of all time though
...
If you were to somehow find the dough to buy both, you could try both for a while, keep the one you liked better, and sell the other. After the sale, you'd be getting the better bass for a net cost of $500, and THAT is super cheap.
It would be P for me but then again I can't stand Rics.
Exactly the opposite for me.
Exactly..borrow the extra grand, try them both, sell one for 1500$ and you get a great bass for 500$.
1500$ is a good deal for either bass providing the P has the original finish and PUP.
I wouldn't count on flipping one of the basses for $1500 in this market. Things are bad out in resale land right now.
Personally, I'd get the P. All things being equal, the Ric is a better value. But it's a musical, not a financial instrument, and I'd rather play the P.
Good luck with whatever you get.
Russ
Personally, I'd get the P. All things being equal, the Ric is a better value. But it's a musical, not a financial instrument, and I'd rather play the P.
Good luck with whatever you get.
Russ
Regarding the 1970s RIC frets, if they aren't already worn out, don't worry about it unless you grip your neck like Ironman or something!
Nickel rounds won't do much if any damage to them.
I've used rounds (nickels and stainless) on my '76 4000 since 1986 and played it daily.
Still very little fret wear.
I assumed it was a given that both basses are in fully functional condition and ready to go as is.
Nickel rounds won't do much if any damage to them.
I've used rounds (nickels and stainless) on my '76 4000 since 1986 and played it daily.
Still very little fret wear.
I assumed it was a given that both basses are in fully functional condition and ready to go as is.
Got a '74 Ric and '75 P here. Always grab the Ric first (had the P since 2000, acquired the Ric this year)
A good P in your stable is a must IMHO.
FWIW I parted ways with a refin '72 ash body P to get the Ric.
Blasphemy I know, but with 2 1/2 other P's I figured the Ric was a must have.
A good P in your stable is a must IMHO.
FWIW I parted ways with a refin '72 ash body P to get the Ric.
Blasphemy I know, but with 2 1/2 other P's I figured the Ric was a must have.
If you can, try both, and get what you like better.
I'd get the Rickenbacker with nary a second thought, though, myself.
I'd get the Rickenbacker with nary a second thought, though, myself.
However bad it may be, if both basses are original with cases, with a purchase price of $1,000 it's absolutely certain either can be flipped for a decent profit. Especially the Ric.
I am a P bass kinda guy, but having said that, and without seeing or playing either of these, my take is that a P bass is a P bass - a more modern one may be just as good if not better than a '74, and a sub $1000 vintage Rick is hard to find; without knowing more, I'd be inclined to get the Rick if I needed or wanted another bass. Used P basses that are of more recent manufacture are plentiful, and can be had for less than $1000. Ricks sound and look different than anything else, so if you're looking for edgy, it's not a bad call.
Caveats - a P bass is a P bass, but a special P bass is pretty darned special, period. Maybe this one is special. Plus a beat up old P bass is special in its own right. Finally, everyone should own at least one P bass IMHO.
There weren't any particular QC issues with early 70s Fenders, it's really only the latter 70s Fenders, like '78-'79 where the issues cropped up, just before CBS sold the company. A '74 that has been played a lot over its life is likely a good one, or else it would have been kicked under a bed or stuck in a closet and not played. I believe Leo was still on retainer at that time too; could be wrong.
Curious to know what you got, and if you have pictures - LET US SEE!!!
Caveats - a P bass is a P bass, but a special P bass is pretty darned special, period. Maybe this one is special. Plus a beat up old P bass is special in its own right. Finally, everyone should own at least one P bass IMHO.
There weren't any particular QC issues with early 70s Fenders, it's really only the latter 70s Fenders, like '78-'79 where the issues cropped up, just before CBS sold the company. A '74 that has been played a lot over its life is likely a good one, or else it would have been kicked under a bed or stuck in a closet and not played. I believe Leo was still on retainer at that time too; could be wrong.
Curious to know what you got, and if you have pictures - LET US SEE!!!
