Help me! I'm a Fender guy but I'm wanting a RIC

[drummer5359]

Also, I tend to notice that the guys who own a lot of basses don't always give the Rickenbacker the attention it needs to really get used to it. I have read a lot of stories about guys that essentially buy one, play it a little bit and decide they don't like it. I could have done that too but because I stuck it out, I got a real feel for this bass and once you do, it is super cool.

That was the conclusion that I came to as well. When I decided to "jump on the Ric train" I put almost all of my other basses aside to make sure that I gave my new 4003W a chance. The feel is different, but I bonded easily with it. Now I also own a 4003SW, and I find it to be very comfortable. I don't know that I would have even needed to put my other basses aside in order to become accustomed to it.

I always loved the sound and look of Rickenbackers in the hands of others. I have a thing for maple finger boards, so when the 4003W came out I decided that it would be my first Ric. I'm very glad that I took the plunge. Some day I'd like to get an early model 4004 Cheyenne with the maple board and see what that is all about as well.

 

[jamro217]

In my opinion, you're right about the modern vs vintage issue, but some folks just have to have what they have to have.

And as far as the dude in the vid, he's a Rick hater for whatever his reasons are (maybe one bit him when he was young, who knows).
That's no unbiased review in any way.

Ric hater is putting it mildly. FWIW I have a '78 fretless 4001 and an '04 4003. Completely different yet both are great. Haven't gotten rid of the Fender collection either.

 

[jamro217]

Send any leftovers my way, please

There'll probably be some once the wife gets home.

 

[red_rhino]

You don't really want a ric.

You really want a RIC.

You guys are not helping.

Many fine players own a Ric. Yours is no disgrace if you get one.

I see what you did there. Very clever. (Unfortunately, now I'm going to have that stuck in my head all day, thanks. Need to go find my copy of Yessongs.)

If you have played comfy Fenders for your entire life, chances are you will want to drop the Ric minutes after taking it.

Coming from Fenders you may find the ergonomic concessions (or the lack thereof) on a Ric hard to adjust to, but the tone is King.

One of the reasons for buying a Ric when I did (mid-70's) was that none of the Fenders I tried at that time felt comfortable to me, and I didn't want to sound like everyone else. Buy the Ric, but keep the P. Bring the P with you to recording sessions as a security blanket for the engineer. Once they relax, be sure to note their surprise at how good the Ric sounds recorded.

 

[Shawn Luckman]

Played a Ric for 16 years before I got my Fender Precision,both great basses.

 

[frankieC]

I've got 2 of each... and it ain't so bad. btw, all 4 are completely different sounding basses.

JUST DO IT!

 

[Coolhandjjl]

.....I thought RIC's were CNC'd, so what's the deal?

The necks are hand sanded after CNC work, so some may come out more aggressively sanded thinner than others.

.....and the fret markers are dots instead of sharkfins.

Here's a quick primer on Ric body features: The TRC is known as the Shark Fin. The fret markers are Sharks Teeth. And the headstock and body horn contour is known as the Cresting Wave.

 

[rdwil191]

I'm a Fender guy and I want a ric..
Is there much difference in tone between the 4003 and the 4003s?

Sorry if someone answered already...no, tone is the same...the differences are cosmetic and there is no stereo jack on the S.

 

[cnltb]

Help me! I'm a Fender guy but I'm wanting a RIC
You got the money?
Get a Ric.

Done.

 

[S-Bigbottom]

The last guitarist I play with didn't "appreciate" my stereo set up.....
He nick-named me "Donnie Thunder".....
Look me up on FB.
Donnie Thunder

Donnie Thunder, Your Ric looks awesome. I am sure this was pretty easy to buff out. Nice work.




Invalid Link Removed

 

[redstrand]

Would've never bought my4001 if someone didn't have it locally, I almost bought it beige plugging it in

 

[CGremlin]

Watch this video and it may help you resist your gas

I don't think so. What I see is a guy mostly bitching about small frets, having to actually spend some time on a refret, and that the older 4001 truss rod adjustment method is a bit of a pain, which hasn't been the case for decades now.

Does he complain so much when someone brings in a Les Paul for a refret?

 

[Kukulkan61]

Go ahead and get it but keep the Fender...

 

[Smooth_bass88]

Guys, please help me! I woke up this morning with the most intense urge to go find myself a Ric. I'm about to jump in my car and drive a couple of hours up to Austin and look at a Fireglo 4003 they've got hanging.

Why am I doing this? Can anyone tell me why I shouldn't do this? $2k at stake here, but I'm feeling drawn like a magnet and I don't know why. Ive traditionally been most comfortable with Fender Ps, Js, G&L JBs.

Any words of wisdom one way or the other would be appreciated. It'll take me two or three hours to get there, so I was sort of hoping you guys could pile on and help me to either accept or reject my temporary insanity.

Don't do it, man, just back away. Stop thinking about Rics. Go for a walk, take a hike, go to Starbucks, read a book. Just walk away from the Ric...

 

[Themoleinahole]

While we're showing off our ricks, here's mine. Just need to save for some tube amps now.

 

[descendent22]

I was in the same boar. All I played was fender p's & j's. One day a couple month ago I had a desire to play and try out a Gibson SG bass.i went to my local GC and my buddy Ray who works their climbed the ladder and took it down so I could play it. I actually really liked it but it felt wrong playing and showing any interest in something other then fender. Anyway couple weeks went by and I stumbled on a Gibson SG with the brown leather case. moral of the story is that I had a desire but shrugged it off, 2 weeks later that desire Finds me. I stumbled on a Gibson USA SG 120 anniversary in mint condition and I ended up with it. Follow your desires, sometimes there's only 1 chance,many you never know. It could be for the best. Like I said I was all about fender in EVERY way. I haven't played anything but my Gibson since I bought it. As far as guitar though, it will ALWAYS be fender.

 

[CGremlin]

While we're showing off our ricks, here's mine.

I don't want to feel left out, so here's mine. Apologies for the bad photo:

 

[JMacBass65]

Just make sure you try adjusting the Ric bridge before you purchase. It may change your perspective. Maybe not, but do check it out.

Good luck either way!

Good lord, the bridge just isn't that big of a hassle. Plus, how much playing around does one do with it. Dial it in initially, and unless you change string type, gauge, etc., you should be done anyway.

Sheesh.

 

[JMacBass65]

Watch this video and it may help you resist your gas btw i have no ill will against rics having never played one so please don't think i do

That guy is a complete idiot! And yes, I'd tell him that to his face.

 

[Anachronism]

4004Ci.