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

[BASSDROID]

I have a '73 4000 that is as solid as the day it was made. I don't think the trussrods have ever been adjusted. They still have overspray on them. It's an amazing player.

That being said, I've seen a lot of Ric basses from all eras with issues. Everything mentioned previously and then some.

A frend of mine recently purchased a dead mint 1974 4001 from a highly respected dealer. It was a real time capsule- it looked like it had been purchased and then put in its case and vacuum sealed back in 1974. Unbelievably clean.

Once he finally got it home he noticed that the treble tone pot was not working. He opened it up and discovered that they missed soldering one of the connections on that pot at the factory. Think about that for a minute.

That same friend also owns a 1973 4001. When you look at the skunk stripe on the back of the neck, you can see that it runs on a very gradual angle, diagonal across the length of the bass. Apparently, when the neck was blocked up, it was in the jig at a slight angle and was carved off center. The neck is in proportion with the body and is aligned properly. It's just that the glue joints run at a diagonal. Crazy.

Doesn't affect how the bass plays though. Just looks funny.

I think I paid mid $500's for it, with case. That's probably not far from what they command for new models now.

Maybe, adjusted for inflation. I think a new 4003 goes for around $2400.

 

[monsterthompson]

This thread is already growing whiskers but I'll jump in without reading the previous posts. I struggled with a 4001/4003 interest and quest. I tried several from varying years at the local GC, which has a vintage room/collection. Each neck was shaped uniquely and played and sounded different. Still within enough of a range to be a Ric but not a particularly narrow window. Some I hated. Some I liked. Eventually I broke down and ordered a new one online. I got a good price from a reputable shop/dealer. I'm as happy as I could be with it. It has some quirks and things you could call design or QC flaws, but it's ultimately playable and sounds like I want it to. I did swap the neck PU for a Nordy.

I rarely play it and have considered selling it. I do like having it in the collection, though. It looks great and I can afford to have it as an option. It probably wouldn't be my daily driver of choice. I will occasionally reach for it. But if the house was on fire I'd let it go and collect the insurance money. I've got other basses I'd prioritize.

 

[BigJohnAZ]

I bought my '77 used in' 78 or '79. As soon as I picked it up and played it for 5 minutes, I paid the dude and ran outta his house like I stole it lol Almost 50 years later, it still feels like it was made for me. Now, I haven't really gigged, I just play at home, but, if my house was on fire, that's the one thing I'm running back in to save.

I currently have Dr High beams on it that I allowed the zing go out of, and, you can get pretty much all the tone you want out off it by adjusting the bridge pickup tone and volume, and crank then if you want more of that 4001 sound.

My action is pretty low and I prefer the neck profile vs. a P any day.

I have not played a 4003, but, buy or try one and it may grab you like it did me.

 

[Gearhead17]

Order one from Guitar Center with a 45 days return policy. Have it shipped to Guitar Center for less than $50 (in most cases). Try it yourself! One last thing, I owned one for about 3 months and sold it at a loss. It was horribly uncomfortable to me, but it has been magic in other people's hands.

Rickenbacker Bass | Guitar Center

Enjoy the lowest prices and best selection of Rickenbacker Bass at Guitar Center. Most orders are eligible for free shipping!

www.guitarcenter.com

 

[micguy]

My first bass was a Ric 4001. Chris Squire was an influence on the purchase (it was the 70's), but I never really sounded like Chris. I played a few years with that as my bass, and it was the best bass I had ever had. Yes, it was also the only bass I'd ever had. Once I started playing other basses (when I got out of college and made some money), I realized - for me, Ric's weren't "it". It got sold. Ric's have their quirks:

1) They hum/buzz (depends on the source as the the exact sound). They aren't even made with pickups that cancel hum when both are used. That's a major one.

2) They dig into your arm (unless you play with your plucking arm out away from the body). The "S" versions help - rounded corners, but it's still not like a body with a real arm cut.

3) The pickup cover is a major hurdle for some folks - I got used to it.

There are other quirks, but those are the most major. They do have a unique sound and look. Absolutely make sure you play one at a store before you buy - the percentage of folks for whom Rics are not "it" is pretty high.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

Never let "the internet" talk you out of, or into anything. Especially this place. Check your bank account. That's the most important thing. If at all possible, buy used, privately, in cash, from someone who the RIC thing didn't work out for.

Best response!!!

 

[markjazzbassist]

Buy used at a good price, try it for a year. If you don't like flip it for no gain or a slight loss (consider it the trial fee). It's what everyone on here does to try out any gear.

 

[tremor100]

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.

Coming from someone who has only tried 2 or 3 in a used music store...

Tone - pretty great and unique.
Looks - Subjective but i think they look fairly cool

Everything else - Horrible.

String spacing is very tight, maybe you would prefer that, i did not. Everything is an edge and seems like its intentionally designed to be as uncomfortable as possible.

Ive also heard there are tons of long term problems with the pickup durability, the trussrods in the neck. I also didnt like the feel of the fingerboard or neck but thats completely subjective as i don't like painted necks.


Im certainly not the expert on them since as i stated above, i wasn't blown away by any means, i really do think Rickenbaker is super lucky Chris Squire liked them which meant a bunch of folks who looked up to him bought one and have a fanbase, so its become somewhat of a staple despite its many flaws and unorthadox design.

 

[T McClure]

A really nice used one popped up at a local Guitar Center last year. I was eager to try it out, and holy hell did I hate it. The ergonomics were a bad fit for me.

But the other side of this coin is seeing how many people love them. Do what you can to get your hands on one. You could very well immediately fall in love.

 

[DionClassic]

I always wanted one, got one, loved the sound. But long term a p bass was just doing the same thing but better for me and easier to play.

 

[Sufenta]

Ricks (4003s) are one of those basses you either love or you hate. I fell into the later camp.

 

[pb9717]

Ive owned this for almost 50 years. 71' 4001. It has experienced every issue an early 70's Ric had. Neck fold, truss rods needed replacement, had to countersink the bridge to get the action down ( way down now) . Frets leveled and re-dressed, replacing the dead 71' bridge pickup with a later 70's bridge pickup.

Point being, the sound is unique, and really cannot be recreated by any other manufacturer. The ergos are unique, and an acquired taste. It stays pretty much in the house, as its too valuable to gig. I have to keep lights on it to keep the neck from being compromised. But, a new one may suit you.

Only you can answer that. ( I have an excellent grasp of the obvious…..you're welcome)

But I do recommend you take the plunge. My decades using this as my #1 are not regretted.

 

[J Wilson]

To be generous, they can be very idiosyncratic instruments. New ones seem to be far more consistent than older, used ones. Used, they are like any other used bass, how they were used and maintained over time means a lot.

Ultimately they're like buying any new-to-you instrument: You'll need to test drive one if at all possible to see whether or not it's a good fit for you.

I once thought a black 4003 with the white binding was the coolest thing I ever saw. Whenever I finally tried one, it just wasn't for me. I worked with a guy who was an utter RUSH nut, and he could make his sound like a million bucks, a lot like Geddy, which I never could.

It happens.

 

[Swamp_Ronin]

Somehow it's creeping up that people are trying to "stop you from buying it". Again, Ric players are peculiarly defensive. Fender is not going to show up at your house with a warrant, confiscate your ric annd yes records, and toss a P in your lap. People are just trying to help.

I think it's almost unanimous that they sound amazing and look cool. I would say the majority say that they are uncomfortable to play. Pretty hard to dispute at this point.

 

[Bar Band Bassman]

I'm on my 4th Ric. I love to hate them and hate to love them but there you go. Interestingly, a BL I've worked with for decades likes my MTD LK4. He heard a bassist with a Ric and HATED it. I brought mine to a gig we did and he was quite happy with it. I did bring the MTD just in case... Rics are sorta like certain sports cars - very quirky but great if you know proper care and feeding.

BBB

 

[mikeswals]

My 4003 is a '93, and I absolutely luv it! The neck on my era is a super comfortable C shape.
I use it alot with an 80s band, it sounds so good there.

 

[Mastermold]

I'm on my 4th Ric. I love to hate them and hate to love them but there you go. Interestingly, a BL I've worked with for decades likes my MTD LK4. He heard a bassist with a Ric and HATED it. I brought mine to a gig we did and he was quite happy with it. I did bring the MTD just in case... Rics are sorta like certain sports cars - very quirky but great if you know proper care and feeding.

BBB

Good analogy. I love mine, quirks and all.

 

[kevrex]

my two cents about riconsistency:

in the last few months, i've had the chance to play three used 4003s in various stores. one had the bridge/neck so badly aligned that the g string was right on the edge of the neck, so i put it down immediately. i can almost assuredly fix that on a bolt-on bass, but i've never dealt with a neck-through instrument.

the other two had *completely* different neck shapes. one was, i'd guess, a very flat d on the back. *so* uncomfortable for me. the one i played today seemed pretty good. kind of a thin c and not flat at all on the back. probably the best rick i've played. not good enough for me to drop two grand on it, even though i think they're absolutely the coolest looking basses around.

 

[chris_b]

I'm not a fan of Rics. They do nothing for me. I'd suggest that as you haven't bought one so far then they really aren't for you either. Just accept and move on.

 

[sunbeast]

Somehow it's creeping up that people are trying to "stop you from buying it". Again, Ric players are peculiarly defensive. Fender is not going to show up at your house with a warrant, confiscate your ric annd yes records, and toss a P in your lap. People are just trying to help.

I think it's almost unanimous that they sound amazing and look cool. I would say the majority say that they are uncomfortable to play. Pretty hard to dispute at this point.

It seems like you are looking for an argument, so I'll bite. The only "defensive" side of some Ric lovers that I have experienced (and been bothered by myself) in many years of playing and talking about them is an almost blanket defense of the company itself, its previous CEO John Hall, and the strange choices that they often made that seemed anti-customer and anti-progress. The committed "fanboys" of anything can take that fandom to irrational places when they are together with others like themselves on the internet- Fender has these same kinds of fanboys, the difference being that if someone doesn't like what Fender does they can find 100 other companies making instruments that feel and sound like a Fender while in the Ric world there are very few alternatives. I've never seen the kind of American 2nd amendment defensiveness that you claim towards people who don't like Rics. None of us care what you think or think you are out to take away our stuff, we might however have opposing experiences and opinions to yours regarding Rics since they are very variable instruments (there is a big difference between a 2010s Ric and a 70s or 80s one, and big differences between different 70s examples and even different 2010s examples, and lots of dogs from all the eras) and humans are also quite variable.

I haven't seen a single post in this thread making the argument that people are trying to stop him from buying it. It seems like you have a particular bone to pick with Ric or people that genuinely enjoy them given your repetition of this same strange argument multiple times with zero context or back-up. What exactly are you trying to prove?

You are also trying to create an objective argument about subjective matters. It really doesn't matter if even 99% of people agree about the "uncomfortable" feel of Rickenbackers, because maybe the OP is part of that 1% who might actually really bond with them. The fact of the matter is that 99% of basses people use these days are either Fenders or instruments based on Fender designs- either ergonomically and/or tonally, and that applies to the sounds heard in most recorded music out there too (let's face it, most people just want to sound like what they've heard already). Does that mean that Fender managed to tap into some magic formula that objectively was the "best"? No of course not, it just means he was a decent designer in the right place at the right time and charging the right prices when people were first starting to get interested in the use of electric instruments- and now the sounds those instruments make are the standard that everything else gets compared to as a result (the sounds we've all heard countless times without thinking about it).

And now that the legacy of Fender instruments has been so cemented and ubiquitous, literally any bass guitar that differs from the designs and sounds that he put out into the world will need to be compared and contrasted to his designs. People should point out what makes a Rickenbacker *not* like a Fender, in tone and feel. People should point out different Ric models and years with significantly different feel/feature. Point out the quirky design choices that might bother someone new to the instruments and issues that should be looked out for. Then encourage the person to try one for themselves (or in the case, a larger sample ideally given the large variance represented), because ultimately that's really the only thing that matters and not just the opinions of a majority of a single thread on the internet.