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Gibson SG Standard vs Rickenbacker
- Thread starter fyx138
- Start date
Both are fine basses with rich histories. The Gibson is darker/warmer sounding, the Ric is brighter & more aggressive. Try them both, one or the other should appeal to you, & then the choice will be clear....
Have had a 4003 for a year and recently aquired an SG. I think, as with most players, I have found a place for each. Have never been all caught up with the whole 'if ya could only have one bass' thing. If I like it.....I buy it.
Ric 4003
EB-3 SG
500/1 Hofner
Fender Jazz fretless
Yamaha RBXA2
Schecter Studio 4
All have different tones and all fit just where they are needed. But alas, no instrument ever replaces dedication to honing one's skills.
Ric 4003
EB-3 SG
500/1 Hofner
Fender Jazz fretless
Yamaha RBXA2
Schecter Studio 4
All have different tones and all fit just where they are needed. But alas, no instrument ever replaces dedication to honing one's skills.
I was set to buy a Gibson. Always wanted one because of the "look" and Jack Bruce. I also always wanted a Ric. I went to GC and tried out the Gibson and was very let down because it just did not feel right. I've been a P bass/MM stingray guy from day 1 and the neck felt wrong for me. I tried the Ric sitting right next to it. I bought a Ric 2 weeks later. That's my vote. Try them and make your own decision.
if your not worried of the price, i'd go for the rick, but it's pretty expensive.
On the other hand, i have and sg bass, but faded (it costed me $900)...
It's a great sounding bass (for me, at least) and it has worked out pretty well for what i play, but an SG standard for $1400??? Not worth it...
On the other hand, i have and sg bass, but faded (it costed me $900)...
It's a great sounding bass (for me, at least) and it has worked out pretty well for what i play, but an SG standard for $1400??? Not worth it...
Try some Ibanez basses, very nice extra slim necks. The gibson ebo2 etc are like the rickenbacker mainlky one trick ponies. They do that well but your not going to get the kind of versatility etc you find with most other basses imo.
Interesting comparison here, neither is anything like the other. I'm a Rick guy myself, but you decide which works best for you.
I prefer Gibson.
A late '60s EB2D with baritone switch has been my main bass since the early '70s. Currently it is my only bass guitar. It has a wide range of voices and tones including that deep warm sound that someone else has already mentioned. Plus it plays "fast".
My only repair issues have been with the electronics, never the neck, fingerboard, frets, headstock, or body (semi-hollow). In all these years the electronics were only a problem once.
That said, I am not sure I would buy a new Gibson because of some of the problems others of mentioned. I would buy another used one however, one that has proven itself to stand up over time.
I think the Rick is a cool bass too. It is brighter. The Jazz bass became Fender's response to the early Ricks.
A late '60s EB2D with baritone switch has been my main bass since the early '70s. Currently it is my only bass guitar. It has a wide range of voices and tones including that deep warm sound that someone else has already mentioned. Plus it plays "fast".
My only repair issues have been with the electronics, never the neck, fingerboard, frets, headstock, or body (semi-hollow). In all these years the electronics were only a problem once.
That said, I am not sure I would buy a new Gibson because of some of the problems others of mentioned. I would buy another used one however, one that has proven itself to stand up over time.
I think the Rick is a cool bass too. It is brighter. The Jazz bass became Fender's response to the early Ricks.
I'm more a Rickenbacker guy.
4003 necks vary in girth depending on year. Some are quite thin, others are quite chunky. 4003's are fairly durable.
My hands aren't the largest, either.
4003 necks vary in girth depending on year. Some are quite thin, others are quite chunky. 4003's are fairly durable.
My hands aren't the largest, either.
^^^correct. I own a Ric (80's 4001), also a Gibson SG faded.
If I had to choose between the 2 it would be the Ric all the way. Even though the neck on the Ric is a bit chunky at the nut, and I prefer a slim neck.
The big drawback to the SG bass is the tone IMO. I'ts very difficult to get a friendly tone from it; I find it to be mid-rangy & honky. Obvously this can be tweaked at the amp but after doing so I don't particularly care for the results either.
The Ric is bright & trebly, but again this can be eq'd, and the results are much more pleasant than the Gibson.
They're both good basses, but as others have pointed out, quite different. You really should play both (and experiment with the tone & eq) before you decide.
...just my 2 cents...
Great idea, I have a Gibson SG faded and an Ibanez BTB770PB and the Ibanez is a much better bass all round, I really liked the SG but the build and finish, playability, features and sound of the Ibanez is much much better and for less money
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I absolutely love the tone of a Ric. Can't say I've ever felt anything even close to that about an SG bass.
However, asking the internet which bass will feel better in your hands is kinda like asking your girlfriend to go do your clothes shopping for you. She'll probably pick out what she thinks are the nicest clothes you could possibly wear, but that doesn't mean you'll like what you get. Go try them both if you can, and try to come up with some objective pros and cons for each. Let us know what you think.
However, asking the internet which bass will feel better in your hands is kinda like asking your girlfriend to go do your clothes shopping for you. She'll probably pick out what she thinks are the nicest clothes you could possibly wear, but that doesn't mean you'll like what you get. Go try them both if you can, and try to come up with some objective pros and cons for each. Let us know what you think.
