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

[sonic boogaloo]

always wanted one. came close to pulling the trigger.

likewise a thunderbird.

one day.

 

[etb67]

They are well balanced basses with no tendency to neck dive

Unfortunately, this was not my experience. I bought a beautiful 4003SW, that I really wanted to bond with, but the fact that it did not balance on a strap meant that I had to let it go. I still love the look and sound of a Ric, and if I ever come across one that balances well, I'll seriously consider it.

 

[aero58]

Unfortunately, this was not my experience. I bought a beautiful 4003SW, that I really wanted to bond with, but the fact that it did not balance on a strap meant that I had to let it go. I still love the look and sound of a Ric, and if I ever come across one that balances well, I'll seriously consider it.

Same for me. I've had 3, and unfortunately, for the same reason, I let them go. Cool and great sounding, but alas.

 

[jd56hawk]

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.

Nice looking bass, sounds okay, crazy price for what it is, and absolutely no reason to buy one with so many better basses available.
As for it being a one-trick pony, people say the same thing about the Precision and you own one of them.
Other than that, do you really care what people say about Rickenbackers or any other bass?
If you do, I'm telling you to buy one of these instead. In fact, you can buy both of them and still have money left over.
Reverend Thundergun, one of the best-kept secrets in the bass world.

 

[Solipsistik]

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!!!

I just had a chance to try one the other day. A well-used version that came up for trade. It sounded ... thin? As for playing, it was very heavy, didn't sit well on me and the neck was not at all what I was used to. Definitely a playable instrument but I would urge you to try one before you jump and buy. Unless you just 'gotta' have it, I'm not going to argue against what blows your hair back.

 

[Solipsistik]

Reverend Thundergun, one of the best-kept secrets in the bass world.
View attachment 7564062

Never heard of them, but I like the looks of those two humbuckers and a single tone control (plus mix, I'm sure)

 

[godofthunder59]

The new 4003 and 4003s are great imho the best Rics ever. The bridge has been redesigned, now a single truss rod and the new uncovered pickup bezel is a welcome change. I've owned Rics from every decade from the 60's to present day Rickenbacker is making the best product they have ever made. I'm so impressed I've bought two in the last three months.

 

[Bass Viking]

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.

Many people, especially non-bassists, know better than you. They insist on Fender because that's all they know.

Many basses can be made to work in whatever genre you're playing. That's why we have tone shaping on the instrument and the amp.

 

[SpiderBass1965]

Try one out if you can. You might gel with it, you might not. Sometimes you meet your hero's, and they turn out to be not what you expected at all.

 

[rtslinger]

Play one before you buy it. My story always wanted one never could afford it so never tried one till I could.
Finally was able to buy one so I went to a bunch of local music stores after I called to find out if any were available and yes the exact one I wanted two had. I went to both tried them out. And after all the years of waiting I walked away because I just couldn't love the feel of the neck. But you do you. The one I wanted was a Jetglo 70 something 4001 with the white checkerboard binding still love the look was in the neighborhood of 4-5 grand

 

[jd56hawk]

Never heard of them, but I like the looks of those two humbuckers and a single tone control (plus mix, I'm sure)

I don't really need another bass, but this is definitely the only one I'd spend my hard-earned money on.

Solid korina body with bold sustain and a balanced weight
5-piece korina/walnut neck with a gloss finish
Balanced body shape with raised mid-section and contoured wing
Thick Brick humbucker in the bridge for thick, strong mids
Split Brick humbucker in the neck for rounded lows and warmer highs...like a very potent P bass pickup
Tone, volume, and pickup pan controls
Hipshot Ultralight tuners
High-mass two-way bridge
Reliable Pure Tone output jack
Rosewood fingerboard with 21 frets
Bold block fretboard inlays
34-inch scale

 

[Joedog]

Loved my ric 4005 semi hollow body. I sold it like an idiot. Prices now are around $10K!

 

[GL1800]

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.

its a gorgeous bass. I owned 2 of them and sold 2 of them. I am not a fan of the 2026 version with the thumb rest and no bridge cover, The reason i sold 2 of them is they are bulky feeling and uninspiring. the build quality is great and both 4003 fireglo I owned allowed me to profit from buying and selling them.
They are more available now then when i was buying. check reverb and buy direct from stores. they will provide discounted pricing and usually no sales tax. Avoid sweetwater.

 

[steveinohio]

Buy one and check it out. I've owned two. Everything people have written about them is true. Neck size differs by year. Build quality can be lacking. Neck dive. One trick pony. Different string tension than most other basses. They can be tough to get along with.

All that being said they also sound really cool. There are some that are just fantastic. You won't know how well it will work for you until you get one. If that's been the bass you have wanted forever you need to get one while your still able to play it.

 

[Lo-E]

They're quirky, for sure. I wanted a Ric for years and every time I played one I didn't like the neck. Finally, I found one with a neck I liked and bought it straight away. I was lucky enough to find a fretless with a neck I liked not long afterwards.

The look and the sound are simply fantastic and, no, it is not a one-trick pony; you can get a wide range of usable sounds from a 4001/4003.

They hang and play much differently than Fenders so expect a bit of adjustment. The controls are laid out a little oddly, too.

The Rics are not my go-to basses (I mostly play Fender or Fender-derived designs) but I really enjoy playing them when I feel like they're the right bass for the gig. I'd say if you really want one, go for it.

EDIT: Ditching the rear pickup cover and installing a bezel is highly recommended. It makes a Ric a lot more comfortable to play.

 

[mikecd1]

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.

My lust was over McCartney, not Squire and Lee, but like Beej the 9.5lb weight, the ergonomics and uncomfortable feel wore me down after twenty some years and I went back to Fenders, but still have my Hoffy and since I'm in my 70's now switched to solid body short scales which has worked out pretty well so far. Try one and be honest with yourself if the grail bass serves you or itself before deciding to keep it. I wish I'd moved on sooner from my Ric, but also wish I still had it for the sentimental memories of all the great times I had while I was playing it.

 

[BEvans383]

I, also am a huge Rush and Yes fan, and always dreamed of a Ric. I, also had the same misgivings. How can I afford it? Am I a good enough player to justify it, etc. Not until very late in my bass playing career did I actually get my hands on one. This was after buying and modding several different P/J to my liking over the years. My conclusion?
One cannot argue with the unique sound of a Ric, but if you are used to playing Fender style basses, it will feel like an alien artifact. The ergonomics of it, the limited access to the strings with all the covers in place, all had me asking why I ever wanted one. Not to mention that the setup was crazy high compared to my basses and the fit and finish did not justify the price to me. I'm not trying to talk you out of buying one, but just be aware that it is a totally different animal than anything else you have played. Even a reverse Thunderbird doesn't feel as odd.

 

[socknroll1]

Is it worth saying anything after nearly 100 replies? I don't know, but here goes anyway -

A lot of people have mentioned ergonomics that they didn't like:

• "sharp" edge on body / no forearm contour
• thick neck
• pickup cover

I didn't mind those much. In the few months that I owned a 4003 (a 2022 model), here are the ergonomics that I didn't like, which I didn't see mentioned:

• Strap buttons - small, but with screws that are so large they can't be replaced with Dunlop Straplocks without additional modifications. I ended up buying a clip-lock type strap just for this bass.
• Standing playing position - when standing up, it felt to me as if the entire neck was 2 frets to the left. The reach to play the first fret seemed very long. I was also hitting things / bandmates with the giant, far-away headstock.
• Bridge - the design used at the time made it impossible to palm-mute or to slowly mute a string with my palm as the song ends.

Plus mine had some high fret issues and an electronics issue; the output jack was rotated in a way that pinched a wire from the bridge pickup, causing it to cut out completely sometimes. Overall it was a fun experiment that I don't plan to repeat.

The looks and the bridge pickup sound were both very rock 'n roll.

 

[brstma]

I got to try a walnut Rick at Sam ash about five years agobefore they closed. It was the only time I had ever seen one hanging up in the store, and I never knew anyone that had one to try.

The back of the neck fell quite square and uncomfortable. Only took a few minutes for my hand to start hurting just from messing around

Just some feedback on the only experience I had with one. Not trying to say that's a reason to avoid it or anything

 

[nixdad]

Loved my ric 4005 semi hollow body. I sold it like an idiot. Prices now are around $10K!

@Joedog -If you sold your original and are still interested in owning a 4005, don't hesitate to pull the trigger on a new 4005V - they're freakin' amazing. I've been gigging with mine since 2024, and yes, they have the same shallow neck as the original 60's basses. PM me if you have any questions or have an interest in finding a deal on a new one.