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Gibson SG Standard vs Rickenbacker
- Thread starter fyx138
- Start date
Small hands = Short scale (?)
The gibson is medium scale;
The Ric is standard/long scale;
The rick is a better bass - at least most folks think so...
The gibson is medium scale;
The Ric is standard/long scale;
The rick is a better bass - at least most folks think so...
I would personally choose the Rickenbacker, but I'm a Rick freak so my opinion is very biased.
Rickenbackers have many different neck widths. I would advise trying the basses out before buying them.
Rickenbackers have many different neck widths. I would advise trying the basses out before buying them.
Yes, Gibson does have a shorter scale, maybe I still can get used to a long scale. I love the sound of Rickenbacker better, but I heard that the of neck Rickenbacker is easier to crack, is that true?
Small hands and worrying about cracking a neck with two truss rods??? lol Just kidding.
I would go with the Ric. Also, as the others have said, even though the Ric can be a 4003, the neck width can vary. The newer ones are very nice and thin. My 2009 4003's neck is just perfect. My old 88 4003 had a much thicker neck that didnt taper as it went towards the nut.
Good luck breaking any basses neck if you take care of it.
Get what plays, sounds, and feels the best to you. Both of these basses would be just fine in terms of durability.
Get what plays, sounds, and feels the best to you. Both of these basses would be just fine in terms of durability.
The SG neck is actually more likely to break in a fall...Gibsons are notorious for losing their headstocks. I personally favor the Gibson and dont buy into the idea that it's just a one trick pony. Just give a listen to some Cream, Free, Govt Mule or...okay, maybe it is a one trick pony.
But it does that trick really well!
not really...
Ric 4001's were known for having more delicate necks at the nut - bit so were Gibbies.
Of the many things I'd be thinking about when buying a bass, this is not one of them (Unless I was planning on tossing the bass around a great deal...)
Not to get off the subject, but why do Rics have two truss rods? I saw a picture of a Ric on e-Bay that was being offered as a "project". The pictures showed a crack that ran maybe 6-8" from on the neck starting close to the topside of the nut. I think the bass ultimately sold for $800-$900. How expensive is it to get a neck repaired? I can't recall whether it was a 4001 or 4003.
Gibsons are infamous for their cracked headstocks. Do a Google search for Gibson+headstock+repair.
Also, I'm not sure if I can think of two more opposite basses than a Gibson SG bass and a Ric. Everything is completely different.
I'd vote for the Ric between the two of these, no question about it. (I haven't owned a Ric, but once I get my current stable under control, I might snag one.)
However, if you really feel you need a short-scale, I'd look elsewhere. I like the Mustang suggestion. Would a hollowbody work for you? There are some cool shorter-scale ones out there.
However, if you really feel you need a short-scale, I'd look elsewhere. I like the Mustang suggestion. Would a hollowbody work for you? There are some cool shorter-scale ones out there.
For me, the Ric is the coolest looking bass made and the SG is ...well the most ugly. Maybe because my first bass was a SG copy made of plywood.
The older Rics had the spring style truss rods . All you had to do was tension the rods before you tightened them . If they were not properly adjusted you could see cracks or fretboard separation . Almost all of the rickenbacker neck issues were from people that didn't have a clue torking the truss rods .
Many Gibson instruments break at the headstock if they get knocked over ...
Try them both if you can , you have chosen two very different instruments . I happen to like them both .
The SG basses can do a lot more than just mud . They are fine little things . Rics are , well .... Rics . Some love them some hate them , they are actually very versatile instruments .
Many Gibson instruments break at the headstock if they get knocked over ...
Try them both if you can , you have chosen two very different instruments . I happen to like them both .
The SG basses can do a lot more than just mud . They are fine little things . Rics are , well .... Rics . Some love them some hate them , they are actually very versatile instruments .
