I know Rics are junk and all...

[Lesfunk]

but I’ll be damned if I’m not lusting after this thing.

 

[Briton]

I used to think that they were Junk, until I purchased one.

 

[sikamikanico]

I used to think they were Great, until I tried one

 

[Briton]

I used to think they were
Great, until I tried one

As you become a more advanced Bass player you will change your mind. Not to worry though it will come in time........

 

[Lesfunk]

I just think it’s a lovely looking instrument.

 

[Maxdusty]

I just think it’s a lovely looking instrument.

When I was starting out way back, many moons ago, I thought the Ric 4001 was the best looking bass around. Jump ahead to the present day, I don't play one, not the ideal kind of bass for the kind of music I play - but I still think it looks terrific and is a great sounding bass in the kind of music it's most suited for.

 

[Lowendtech]

View attachment 3262466 but I’ll be damned if I’m not lusting after this thing.

I’d borrow that for a few days for sure.

This should be fun.

 

[sikamikanico]

As you become a more advanced Bass player you will change your mind. Not to worry though it will come in time........

Don’t get me wrong, they look great, and have a distinctive sound, but I dislike their ergonomics. But I hear not all Ricks feel the same, so I’ll be sure to try more in the future

 

[Scottgun]

In defense of that pictured bass, it has a non-insane bridge design.

 

[jd56hawk]

I wouldn't call them junk, just an acquired taste, like Vegemite or maybe Blue Cheese.

 

[Gorn]

I like everything about Rickenbackers, expect how they look and feel and are constructed. That one's not bad looking though.

 

[JACink]

I wonder if this thread will entertain us in to the new year or if we will need a Gibson bashing thread to keep us going

 

[Tony In Philly]

Just remember that the 4004 is generally a deeper, thumpier sounding bass than the 4003.

 

[two fingers]

Rics are not junk. They are just a binary design. In other words, you love them or hate them. I find myself in the latter category. But they look freaking great and have been used by some of the greatest who ever played.

My big fingers trip over themselves trying to get around that pencil-thin neck.

If I could get one of their 5 strings and convert it to a 4 I would probably be happy.

 

[Andy235]

While I am not a fan of Ric Basses, in the right hands they can sound fantastic. McCartney, for example, recorded many of his best bass tracks on a Ric. Come Together, Dear Prudence, Rain, Penny Lane, all of the great stuff on Sgt. Pepper...Some of my very favorite bass tracks ever.

It just goes to show the type of bass, as long as it is in tune, is not as important as the person playing it.

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

As you become a more advanced Bass player you will change your mind. Not to worry though it will come in time........

Been playing since 1963. For several years I was on the road full time. I had one in the 70s that was nice, but I traded it for something else. Tried a new model just recently. They have gotten worse instead of better.
Now, with that said, I know they have a lot of respect and a lot of people love them. I'm not one of them.
I will not, however, denigrate nor condescend to anyone who likes them.
P.S. They are very pretty, especially the fireglow.

 

[Geri O]

View attachment 3262466 but I’ll be damned if I’m not lusting after this thing.

That's definitely a different look for Rics, well as far as my familiarity with them goes.

I had a Ric when I was very young, but 6 months in, I decided that it wasn't for me, so I got my first Fender Precision. But I never stopped enjoying looking at them (definitely their own look) and hearing them played by Chris Squire, Geddy Lee, and the like. So while I don't love them, I certainly don't hate them.

Just before I entered my first retirement, I was invited to sit in with a group whose very nice, very good bassist played a Ric. I played a few tunes (yer basic classic rock stuff) and I really enjoyed playing his Ric. I did think for a while, perhaps I should revisit having a Ric around. But I just never pursued it further and just don't see the need these days.

 

[rohi]

In my opinion, the Rick OP posted is missing everything I like about ricks: the binding, fret markers, pickguard... just my 2 cents.

 

[EdwardofHuncote]

I wonder if this thread will entertain us in to the new year or if we will need a Gibson bashing thread to keep us going

This is TalkBass... no reason we can't do both. But this is clearly a Ric bashing thread. Stay on topic please.

 

[JRA]

but I’ll be damned if I’m not lusting after this thing.

it's black black black black...so it has that going for it!