I think I want a Rick...

[benthughes]

This bass has been on my kinda want list for a couple years now. I recently joined a pretty serious group that necessitates a pretty aggressive picked rock tone. We play down tuned and I admittedly like my 35" scale basses for it but it's nothing some DR low riders wouldn't fix on a 34"er.

I would probably own one if I wasn't concerned with quality control issues and the price for what you seem to get.

My current setup is a G&L L-2500 through a Mesa Big Block and 2x10+4x10.

I'm debating a Rick vs. G&L SB-2 vs. I dunno.

What are your experiences with Rickenbacker basses vs. others you've owned.

 

[Ric5]

I've been playing Ricks since 1973 ... I love them. But I also love p-basses, jazz basses, Fenderbirds, stingrays, etc.

 

[willsellout]

Ricks are great. They have their drawbacks and there has been come inconsistency as of late, but they look and sound great. I'd highly recommend playing one before purchasing one. IF you do buy, I'd buy from a reputable dealer who knows Ric's and might be able to head off any problems that any particular bass would have.

IF you are looking for aggressive tone, your L2500 will cover that better than a Ric will, IMO. If you really want aggressive, I'd be looking at a G&L L1500 over an SB2.

 

[audiomitch]

I own 14 basses right now, and a lot of basses in the past. My Ric 4003 is my #1 player. Don't worry so much about "QC Issues" or whatever - TB is like a magnifying glass. There are thousands of satisfied Ric owners out there, despite a handful of complaints here.

 

[johnk_10]

i don't have a single complaint with either one of my two current rics............................

...............and, i never had a complaint with the five previous ones that i've owned either.

 

[jallenbass]

Have you played one? For me every time that I play one I realize that I just don't like them very much. I like hearing Chris Squire play them though.

 

[mitchgilbert]

That is easily the most beautiful Rick I've ever laid my eyes on.

 

[Korladis]

Try one out first. As a matter of fact, try a couple. They have changed a bit over the years, even though they look mostly the same.

I love mine, but generally people tend to love Ricks or hate them. For me, they can't be beat, but who knows whether they're the right kind of bass for what you need? Every set of hands is different.

As to the QC issues, like another poster said, talkbass is a magnifying glass. But it's another reason to try before you buy.


@Willsellout... more aggressive with a G&L, you say? Interesting. I dunno, the sound of a Rick played hard using just the bridge pickup is pretty damn aggressive... though G&L makes good stuff, too.

 

[willsellout]

@Willsellout... more aggressive with a G&L, you say? Interesting. I dunno, the sound of a Rick played hard using just the bridge pickup is pretty damn aggressive... though G&L makes good stuff, too.

It could be a different definition of aggressive. The Ric's are great treble-y kinds of aggressive, but the G&L's are mid range heavy.

The Ric's are awesome. I own a 97' that is the bees knees, but it isn't the most aggressive bass (although it can do just about anything).

 

[johnk_10]

my '09 jetglo 4003 is definitely 'aggressive' (and i reluctantly use that term) using just the bridge pickup. the newer high gains have alot of mids and low mids and when soloing the bridge, it almost burps like a stingray.

 

[willsellout]

my '09 jetglo 4003 is definitely 'aggressive' (and i reluctantly use that term) using just the bridge pickup. the newer high gains have alot of mids and low mids and when soloing the bridge, it almost burps like a stingray.

They definitely do. But when compared to a G&L....they aren't nearly as aggressive. I have the newer high gains in my Ric and it's definitely no comparison to my L1505. Both are amazing, but the G&L is definitely a different world.

 

[Korladis]

True, maybe. The bridge pickup by itself is pretty damn midrangey, though, to my ears (and in a rock/metal context, that is how I usually use it... bridge pickup solo'd).

Of course, mids are a very large portion of the sonic spectrum. Could be the Rick is more "bark" and the G&L is more "growl". I've played a few G&L's, and they are very very good basses. To my ears, anyway.

Either bass would probably suit the OP's needs pretty well, depending on what he likes in feel and specifically in sound.

After all, a P-bass with rounds and the tone wide open can be aggressive sounding, too.

 

[lousybassplayer]

Great basses, really awesome sound, and plenty of little oddities and quirks to give it personality. I wish I still had mine, but not at the expense of my current bass (stringray). I loved it, but it wasn't as comfortable to me as a jazz or a ray. I will own another some day, and though it will get less play time than a jazz or a ray, it'll be well worth having.

 

[willsellout]

True, maybe. The bridge pickup by itself is pretty damn midrangey, though, to my ears (and in a rock/metal context, that is how I usually use it... bridge pickup solo'd).

Of course, mids are a very large portion of the sonic spectrum. Could be the Rick is more "bark" and the G&L is more "growl". I've played a few G&L's, and they are very very good basses. To my ears, anyway.

Either bass would probably suit the OP's needs pretty well, depending on what he likes in feel and specifically in sound.

After all, a P-bass with rounds and the tone wide open can be aggressive sounding, too.

Definitely agree. So many good tones out there. Get out and play as many as you can

 

[Korladis]

Indeed. I kinda think it might be better to make such a decision based more on feel than on sound, though, because that'll be one of the bigger differences here. You can get aggressive sounds (albeit different types of aggressive sounds) out of a lot of different basses with the right pickup control settings and right amp EQ... but barring drastic modifications, you're basically stuck with how a bass feels to play, whether that's good or bad.

 

[lousybassplayer]

Indeed. I kinda think it might be better to make such a decision based more on feel than on sound, though, because that'll be one of the bigger differences here. You can get aggressive sounds (albeit different types of aggressive sounds) out of a lot of different basses with the right pickup control settings and right amp EQ... but barring drastic modifications, you're basically stuck with how a bass feels to play, whether that's good or bad.

This should be a sticky in 200 point font. It is espescially applicable here. Every complaint I had with mine was related to how it felt to play. Also, as for running heavier strings, mine was a really tight fitting nut, didn't like .50 or larger in the G. Not a problem if you don't mind enlarging the slots slightly, and it may have been just mine, but something to consider for your de-tuned playing.

 

[electracoyote]

What are your experiences with Rickenbacker basses vs. others you've owned.

Dude, I applaude you and your quest.

I felt just as do, you once upon a time.

The Ric 4003 seemed to be the ultimate solution for my desire to land an iconic bass that would have the intense looks and tone to separate me from the pack.

And I was right. I am now the happy owner of three Ric 4003s.

But you need to be aware of a few realities before you plunge into the world of Ric ownership/playership:

First, it is among the most polarizing basses ever produced. There is a significant faction of haters that is simply unrivaled in the arena of bass guitar (and they show up here on TB with an uncanny degree of regularity). They will tear at your every fiber in their attempt to make you feel ridiculous for targeting this bass as your weapon of choice, and they are unrelenting. Think for yourself: Do not be fooled.

Second, as cool as you think a Ric looks and sounds, they are perhaps the most unusual bass you'll ever play, and will probably feel much different from any other bass in your experience. There are a few idiosyncracies in playability and set-up protocol. It is up to you whether the relatively small learning curve is too large a price to pay. For me, it was a small price to pay, and I am so glad I was patient and learned how to get the most out of my Rics.

Last, no matter what you hear, Rickenbacker QC is among the best in the business, and their warranty is rarely matched in the world of guitars. You get a bad one, it's a rarity, and you have plenty of recourse for Rickenbacker to make things right. Buying a new Ric covered by both the retailer's return policy and Rickenbacker's warranty is about as sure a bet as you can possibly make with a bass guitar. Without even trying, I can name several high-profile bass guitar manufacturers who can not come close to the guarantees and warranties you have with a new Rickenbacker. You WILL get a perfect specimen, most likely first shot right out of the box, there are no two ways about it.

Finally, you really need to find a Rickenbacker bass, hunker down over it for a good amount of time, and decide if this is worth the pursuit. All basses, regardless of manufacturer, require patience and adjustment, and you need to give yourself a fair opportunity to decide if the Rickenbacker is for you or not. Don't go by some romantic ideal or historical precedence; make sure this is the right bass for you.

Wishing you only the best in your quest.

 

[bassmachine2112]

It,s a pity that you don,t hear from all the Rick people that are over the moon with them cause they would drown the knockers out.
I,ve had mine since 99 from new.
QC is perfect,I have fitted a hipshot bridge,great move,vintage tone circuit and have 3 scratchplates for it now.The standard white one ,black one and a polished stainless steel one.
The easiest way to describe it is you learn to be a Rick player,you learn how to get the sound out of it through trial and error,heartbreaking at times but you become a team.
When your Rick is singing there is nothing like it.
Stick a pre amp di box in front of the amp,plenty gain and presence to taste and bingo.
I played quite a few and one felt right,can,t explain what it was .

 

[Cairobill]

I play a rick exclusively with my band (not jazz, for that I use a j bass).

I own a 78 4001 and it is a magnificent bass. It's light and has a narrow neck.

The key thing is that I play the ric in a totally different way to my jazz. I use a pick and play over the neck pickup (I actually rest my hand on the pickup cover), much like McCartney. It sounds amazing and is very comfortable.

I play the jazz with fingers in a much more freeform, modern way.

Rics are unusual basses that make specific demands but get it right and they are up there with the best.

And, as everyone says, try before you buy and see if you get on with it.

Cairo

 

[Morten_B]

serious group that necessitates a pretty aggressive picked rock tone.

I'm debating a Rick vs. G&L SB-2 vs. I dunno.

I have never owned a Rick, but when I see that you need a pretty aggressive picked rock tone I can highly recommend the SB-2... I know the L-2X00 well (owned an ASAT) and they are nice, but for aggressive pick style, the SB-2 is much more unique and aggressive.