How to audition a rickenbacker.

[UnderDogbassist]

i'm having some trouble. i really really enjoy an opportunity to play a rickenbacker, you know, just to see if i like what i hear and feel, and if it's a bass that is right for me. but unfortunately there's not really any around in the area which i live. So i was wondering if i could get any advice in buying one of these, i dont really wanna buy one and turns out that the bass isnt the right one for me, but there really isnt any opportunities to play one. thx for your time.

 

[N.F.A.]

Join the Rickenbacker forum and see if there is anyone near you who owns or is selling one.

 

[PrimitiveMan]

you have any nice gear? maybe put an ad on craigslist saying that you want to play someone's ric, and offer to let them play your nice bass in exchange. There are plenty or ric's in the world, I'm sure there is one near you. Good luck!

 

[alembicbones]

It seems as though Bass Northwest in Seattle has been getting new Rickenbacker 4003's come through the shop on a pretty regular basis. If you want to try one out, keep your eyes peeled to their website and when one pops up, plan a trip across the border.

Best of Luck,
Bones

 

[EagleMoon]

One suggestion I would have is definitely don't buy one without trying it first...in case you get tempted. You could also try posting on Craigslist and see if anybody has one around you to try out. Other than that, the Ric Forum is a good place to try as well.

 

[loendmaestro]

As someone who owns three Rickenbackers I will say this: try one out first. I dig mine, but they're not for everybody.

 

[Matt Wilson]

Dude they have them at L&M, main and terminal, give them a call. You'll have to come to town, but seriously if you get on the phone and call some stores you will find Ric's you can tryout.

PS I wanna Ric too!

 

[UnderDogbassist]

Dude they have them at L&M, main and terminal, give them a call. You'll have to come to town, but seriously if you get on the phone and call some stores you will find Ric's you can tryout.

PS I wanna Ric too!

*** ARE YOU SERIOUS OMG K I AM SO GOING THERE NOW LOL

 

[EagleMoon]

That binding on the upper edge of the body is a killer. Be aware of that. It can rub your arm pretty raw if you're not careful.

 

[Tommygunn]

That binding on the upper edge of the body is a killer. Be aware of that. It can rub your arm pretty raw if you're not careful.

Yeah the edges are pretty gnarly, especially if you move your arm while using a pick.

 

[EagleMoon]

Yeah the edges are pretty gnarly, especially if you move your arm while using a pick.

Exactly. I'd still have mine if it weren't for that.

 

[hdracer]

That binding on the upper edge of the body is a killer. Be aware of that. It can rub your arm pretty raw if you're not careful.

I have had mine for a couple of months and haven't noticed it. I play with a pic.

 

[EagleMoon]

I have had mine for a couple of months and haven't noticed it. I play with a pic.

Do you usually play with long sleeve shirts on? On the bare arm it's pretty sharp.

 

[Tommygunn]

I have had mine for a couple of months and haven't noticed it. I play with a pic.

Do you use your arm or just move your wrist? There are ways around the sharp edges if you play high (see acoustic guitar players).

 

[hdracer]

I sort of rest my wrist on the pup cover and pick by the neck. It isn't as comfortable as my Jazz, but I don't find it any more uncomfortable than my Dano

 

[UnderDogbassist]

That binding on the upper edge of the body is a killer. Be aware of that. It can rub your arm pretty raw if you're not careful.

Noted. Any other major problems with the build? how headstock heavy is it?

 

[EagleMoon]

Noted. Any other major problems with the build? how headstock heavy is it?

They usually balance pretty well. Not particularly headstock heavy but the necks do vary in side. More on the wide P bass size.

IMO, the major problems to look out for are these...

1. Dead spots. Rics are notorious for having a D string dead spot around the 5th-8th fret area.
2. Crooked pickups. Make sure the poles line up with the strings. This is mainly on the bridge pickup.
3. Bridge - tail lift on old Rics, but new Rics still have same sort of bridge. Which is a PITA to set intonation. Lots of people switch them out for the Hipshot replacement which is much easier to adjust.
4. Make sure neck is straight. I've heard of several people who have bough Rics lately that had the trussrods adjusted too tight on one side from the factory. With two trussrods, there's less room for error.

 

[Tommygunn]

Seems pretty well balanced... look out for tail lift. I hear about Ric owners complaining about that.

 

[hdracer]

The old 4003's had the extra screws in the tail piece. My '85 does.

 

[Figas]

They are clearly the best basses for metal.