I keep getting talked out of getting a Rickenbacker. Why??

[Yomanchill]

In classic Gen X'er fashion, I grew up listening to Rush and Yes, and dreaming of getting a Rick. But it seems that each time I considered it seriously, the project was aborted. As a youngster it was price and intimidation (they used to have them in stock at my LMS but I was too shy to ask to try one because I felt I was not good enough and I would need a year to save up enought money). Then later on it was anything from my teacher telling me that they were crap to my friend who works at the music store convincing me to get a P Bass instead (which I love by the way). And then there's the cesspool of Internet opinions that say that they're just a one-trick poney to they are un-playable.

Problem is, I've never had the chance to try one. They're never in stock at any store! I even reached out to a guy who was selling his on Marketplace, and I asked if I could try it first because I never had the chance to play one - and he turned me down!!!

So can I get your honest thoughts about those basses.

Info about me: I'm not a professional. I like to write songs in all sorts of styles and go to jam sessions. I think I've covered the basics with my 2 Fender P's (one American on flats and one Mexican on rounds) and a 5-string Maruszczyk Jake.

 

[who]

I wanted one for a long time, and when I finally got to try one I didn't like the feel at all. Not saying that will happen to you, but I do recommend trying your best to find one that you can test out before buying one.

 

[No such thing]

In classic Gen X'er fashion, I grew up listening to Rush and Yes, and dreaming of getting a Rick. But it seems that each time I considered it seriously, the project was aborted. As a youngster it was price and intimidation (they used to have them in stock at my LMS but I was too shy to ask to try one because I felt I was not good enough and I would need a year to save up enought money). Then later on it was anything from my teacher telling me that they were crap to my friend who works at the music store convincing me to get a P Bass instead (which I love by the way). And then there's the cesspool of Internet opinions that say that they're just a one-trick poney to they are un-playable.

Problem is, I've never had the chance to try one. They're never in stock at any store! I even reached out to a guy who was selling his on Marketplace, and I asked if I could try it first because I never had the chance to play one - and he turned me down!!!

So can I get your honest thoughts about those basses.

Info about me: I'm not a professional. I like to write songs in all sorts of styles and go to jam sessions. I think I've covered the basics with my 2 Fender P's (one American on flats and one Mexican on rounds) and a 5-string Maruszczyk Jake.

Just buy one and sell it if you dont get along.

/shrug

 

[eddybuzzard]

Because people are human, and guilty of human behavior. Be you.
Order one online, from somewhere with a no/low hassle return policy.

 

[Wasnex]

In classic Gen X'er fashion, I grew up listening to Rush and Yes, and dreaming of getting a Rick. But it seems that each time I considered it seriously, the project was aborted. As a youngster it was price and intimidation (they used to have them in stock at my LMS but I was too shy to ask to try one because I felt I was not good enough and I would need a year to save up enought money). Then later on it was anything from my teacher telling me that they were crap to my friend who works at the music store convincing me to get a P Bass instead (which I love by the way). And then there's the cesspool of Internet opinions that say that they're just a one-trick poney to they are un-playable.

Problem is, I've never had the chance to try one. They're never in stock at any store! I even reached out to a guy who was selling his on Marketplace, and I asked if I could try it first because I never had the chance to play one - and he turned me down!!!

So can I get your honest thoughts about those basses.

Info about me: I'm not a professional. I like to write songs in all sorts of styles and go to jam sessions. I think I've covered the basics with my 2 Fender P's (one American on flats and one Mexican on rounds) and a 5-string Maruszczyk Jake.

I heard a lot of the same crap and non of it worked on me. My first bass was a 4001. I bought it used on Lay-Away, which is no longer a common way of doing business.

IME vintage Rics tend to exhibit a wide range of personalities. Ideally you play through a bunch of them until you find one that you really like. If you find the one, be prepared to pounce.

Can't say if this is accurate, but my perception is current Rics may be a bit more consistent. However, it's still best to play through several.

Who knows, after playing through several Rics, you may decide you don't actually like them.

IMHO...stop making excuses. If you wait passively, you may never even find out. Take an active approach and make it happen.

 

[buldog5151bass]

My first bass was a 4001s many years ago. They are good instruments, but they aren't for everyone, tone, price, playability, etc.

As with Hofner, you might like it, you might hate it. Try before you by. If it WAS a mistake, it would be a expensive one.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

In classic Gen X'er fashion, I grew up listening to Rush and Yes, and dreaming of getting a Rick. But it seems that each time I considered it seriously, the project was aborted. As a youngster it was price and intimidation (they used to have them in stock at my LMS but I was too shy to ask to try one because I felt I was not good enough and I would need a year to save up enought money). Then later on it was anything from my teacher telling me that they were crap to my friend who works at the music store convincing me to get a P Bass instead (which I love by the way). And then there's the cesspool of Internet opinions that say that they're just a one-trick poney to they are un-playable.

Problem is, I've never had the chance to try one. They're never in stock at any store! I even reached out to a guy who was selling his on Marketplace, and I asked if I could try it first because I never had the chance to play one - and he turned me down!!!

So can I get your honest thoughts about those basses.

Info about me: I'm not a professional. I like to write songs in all sorts of styles and go to jam sessions. I think I've covered the basics with my 2 Fender P's (one American on flats and one Mexican on rounds) and a 5-string Maruszczyk Jake.

I had a 4001 I bought in 1974. I toured with it for about 3 years. I put together a killer ROS rig up to use in a power trio. It was incredible. The sound was massive which I needed because there was no FOH PA support, especially when the guitarist was off on a solo.

But when that band broke Insold off the ROS rig. Shortly after, I started recording a lot and it didn’t have that voice I was looking for so (of all things) I borrowed a PB and found that voice worked better in the mix of the types of music we were recording. That not to say that you can’t get a Rick fit in a mix. It’s just a different voice. Anyway I kept the Rick for 34 years most of which was in a case in a closet and eventually I sold it off for business capital in the late oughts.

I will add this. I never bought instruments per se, I bought tools to do a specific job. I don’t have collections of tools I don’t use. I only keep have what need to do the job. And that has changed over the years. That’s the business part of the equation. From the artistic side, there is nothing more frustrating than having your artistic aspirations thwarted by having the wrong tools.

JMO, based on your current stable, I doubt you have a lack of suitable voices.

I hope you find this information useful. best wishes.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

Given the almost incomparable resale value, getting one and selling it for your original purchase price, and sometimes even a little more, is a very safe bet if it turns out you don’t like it. Your chances of finding one in a store are pretty slim, they are often pre-sold before they even make it to the showroom floor. FWIW, I’ve been following/owning/criticizing Rickenbacker Inc. For almost 50 years, and the current production are among the best they have ever made. The bound body models can be irritating (like any bound bass) if you rest your forearm on the upper bout, but it’s no worse than a Tele or any acoustic guitar. They are as versatile as any 2 pickup bass, but if you want that classic Ric Squire/Geddy Lee tone, there is no substitute. All the other tones on tap can be had with a wide range of basses, but NOTHING sounds like a Ric on the bridge pickup with treble cranked. If ergonomics are an issue, the SW models are a full lb. lighter, and have rounded body edges. Buy it through a reputable dealer like GC or Sweetwater, and it should be returnable regardless, as long as you don’t ding it up.

 

[Bass Viking]

I even reached out to a guy who was selling his on Marketplace, and I asked if I could try it first because I never had the chance to play one - and he turned me down!!!

The seller wouldn't let a potential buyer play the bass first? Or is there something in the way you asked that made him respond that way?

 

[Yomanchill]

The seller wouldn't let a potential buyer play the bass first? Or is there something in the way you asked that made him respond that way?

Can't judge, but I really explained that I never got to try one before and asked if it's ok if I try and don't like the feel and sound just not buy it. He blew me off and said to go try it elsewhere.

 

[Wasnex]

The seller wouldn't let a potential buyer play the bass first? Or is there something in the way you asked that made him respond that way?

If you open by asking if you can try a bass, it suggests you're more likely a tire kicker than a potential buyer.

IMHO it should be assumed that you will be able to try before you buy...perhaps there are exceptions when this is not true, but if that happened to me, I would walk.

IMHO ask questions about the bass first. How low is the action? How does it play? What sort of strings are on it? How fresh are the strings? How stable is the neck. Are there any undisclosed problems or damage. This line of questions shows you have a clue and are actually interested in buying the bass. Once that is done, you can ask if an amp is available so you can do a demo.

 

[Pep]

I’ve always wanted a Ric but I know that it wouldn’t get played much because of the music I play. I can’t see spending that much for a bass that only gets played occasionally.

 

[Wasnex]

I’ve always wanted a Ric but I know that it wouldn’t get played much because of the music I play. I can’t see spending that much for a bass that only gets played occasionally.

That may be true (for you), but Ricks are actually pretty versatile basses. Fiddle with the knobs and adjust your amp. The 4001 was my one and only bass for well over a decade and I was always able to make it work...even with funk and big band jazz.

Two negatives:
1. Single coil pickups tend to be noise. I don't have a solution for this.
2. Slapping the strings against the pickup pole pieces produces a rather unpleasant clack. This can be overcome by adjusting your technique. I slapped over the end of the fingerboard and it worked fine.

 

[Wasnex]

Over the years, many people dismissively told me I should have gotten Precision . Many of them warmed to Ric after playing with me.

I used the 4001 in a university big band when I was still in high school. One semester, an actual university student signed up for the band and used the schools P bass. Several band members told me they preferred the sound of my 4001. They specifically liked the extra highs and said it allowed them to hear time and pitch better.

 

[Pet Sounds]

I definitely encourage you to explore Rickenbacker! A Rickenbacker certainly will give you a different sound than your P-Basses (and I love P-Basses!). I agree you should buy from a store with a good return policy. I find Ricks of different eras vary pretty widely in neck profile -- I have a '75 that gives me a sore thumb after a bit while others are fine in my hand.

 

[Beej]

I lusted after a Rick and a Jazz as a youth and when I finally got each, neither worked for me ergonomically. If you can try before you buy, it's worth it. It's funny the Rick was not a good fit right from the first moment I hefted it in my hand, but as I was in my early 20s, I bought it with glee anyway with visions of Geddy and Squire in my eyes. I pushed through with it for a long time , mostly because it was a Rick and every time I brought it out, anyone who knew what it was showed it on their faces and I rode that high.

For me, what I eventually came to terms with was the excessive weight, slab body, hard edges, and bridge not far enough back for my most comfortable hand position. They are wonderful basses, but not a fit for my body and eventually the compromise was too much. Like any instrument you'll be spending time with, it's good to try before you buy.

 

[Roland GR 88]

A 4003 just showed up in the classified’s
What are you waiting for?

 

[Nebadon2000]

Can't judge, but I really explained that I never got to try one before and asked if it's ok if I try and don't like the feel and sound just not buy it. He blew me off and said to go try it elsewhere.

Was he local or did he have to ship you
the Bass and accept return if you didn't
like?

 

[SDC1-ClickClack]

Just buy one and sell it if you dont get along.

/shrug

Now THERE'S the TB mindset!

My opinion is that you should buy one to satisfy that long-running itch/curiosity, but if at all possible try playing it first. It's your money, your life, your choice. Well-meaning others can offer advice, but ultimately you are free to do what you want — although hopefully it won't be a financial hardship.

 

[DrBnz]

Everything they say about them is true..... the good and the bad parts. I gotta have one, but it's not possible for me to make it my daily player. It won't even be in the top 10. But it is fun.