Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
I want a Rick really bad.
- Thread starter FighttheSilence
- Start date
I agree. They are chunky in their own way, but I think its more radius than nut width. They feel much more natural to me than a P bass, and just a bit more of a handful than a jazz, even though they are dimensionally dissimilar to both. And though I havn't played every warwick, they are nothing alike IMO.
I got a used one earlier this year and even though I would caution you to play one before you buy it, I didnt, and nowhere around here had one to try. So i got it sight (unless you count bad cell phone pics) unseen. It was roughly $1500 for a 1988 4003 in mint condition. Its a great bass but I am having a hard time getting the classic "Ric tone" that I thought it would automatically have. I am going to have the .047 capacitor installed and controlled via a push pull pot, so hopefully that will get me closer to the vintage sound.
One thing to note though, neither the neck or the hard edged body were uncomfortable to me. I think some people make these issues into more than they are, but then again, when you pay that much for a bass it should be great all the way around. The bridge does suck like a Hoover Deluxe though.
One thing to note though, neither the neck or the hard edged body were uncomfortable to me. I think some people make these issues into more than they are, but then again, when you pay that much for a bass it should be great all the way around. The bridge does suck like a Hoover Deluxe though.
People like to whine about the binding. If it's such a big deal, people should buy a 4001S/4003S, a 4000 or a 4004, none of which have binding.
Can someone post a link to some classic Ric sounding audio?
I've heard it's a real particular tone, but have never played with one myself.
I've heard it's a real particular tone, but have never played with one myself.
What I learned is that most of the classic tones require quite a bit of tweaking, effects, etc. Most Ric players seem to have elaborate rigs to me. Not bad, just not what I wanted. I thought I would sound like Chris Squire in "Roundabout" and it didn't happen. That neck and body are def unique. If you have never played a flat body and uniform neck, then it is a shock to the system. Those pickup guards can be troublesome too. What really did it was finding out "Tom Sawyer" was a Fender. Best Ric tone to me is maybe Martin Turner on "Argus" by Wishbone Ash. He converted to Fender T-birds, but "Argus" is the Ric.
I don't have an elaborate rig. Bass -> EHX big muff -> Morley Wah (both effects used sparingly, not on most of the time) -> Mesa amp > 115 and 210 cabs.
I will be getting a hipshot but the retail price on them I think were $150. I may have seen them cheaper, but it was still $90. After plunking down that much coin to begin with I didnt want to spend any more on a bridge that I hopefully wont be adjusting too much (other than picking up the piece that falls out when you change strings
) The hipshot is on my list to Santa though.
I will be getting a hipshot but the retail price on them I think were $150. I may have seen them cheaper, but it was still $90. After plunking down that much coin to begin with I didnt want to spend any more on a bridge that I hopefully wont be adjusting too much (other than picking up the piece that falls out when you change strings
At the time I got it, it was actually cheaper than getting both parts of the Ric bridge/tailpiece assembly.
And there's individual saddle adjustment.
I for one have really had no problems with my stock ric bridge/tailpeice. However, I still think I will go for a hipshot. it looks a lot like the shape of the original and is a straight drop in.
If you have about $100 to spend and don't really use the string mute pad, then go for it. Some people like the aluminum one better, some like the brass one better. Some people don't like either, and go back to using the stock bridge.
I had a rick on layaway once, I got a great deal on it for 1120.
Sadly though I took it of layaway and got a more versatile bass, The Rick sounded great and was the lightest bass I ever played but It wasn't what I needed.
Sadly though I took it of layaway and got a more versatile bass, The Rick sounded great and was the lightest bass I ever played but It wasn't what I needed.
Play before you play
While a Ric does have a certain aura and vibe , its is not for everyone
You can't just buy a bass on looks alone.
The neck definitely has a distinct feel and the radius is more on the flat side
body can be heavy but Ive had Fenders that are about the same weight
My old roommate had a Ric 4001 (yes 4001 not 4003)
and the bass was definitely cool and the sound was very distinctive ( a little treblely but definitely has attack and growl too) You either are a Ric lover or you're not
To me it was a great bass but just not my thing
I keep going back to my Jazz Bass as far as feel and comfort
If you can try to play one beforehand
While a Ric does have a certain aura and vibe , its is not for everyone
You can't just buy a bass on looks alone.
The neck definitely has a distinct feel and the radius is more on the flat side
body can be heavy but Ive had Fenders that are about the same weight
My old roommate had a Ric 4001 (yes 4001 not 4003)
and the bass was definitely cool and the sound was very distinctive ( a little treblely but definitely has attack and growl too) You either are a Ric lover or you're not
To me it was a great bass but just not my thing
I keep going back to my Jazz Bass as far as feel and comfort
If you can try to play one beforehand
Don't entirely agree with this, but I can accept the fact that Rics aren't for everyone. Now with the "ric sound" you have to understand you don't just plug it in and use your typical fingerstyle technique on nickel plated strings and expect it to sound like Geddy or Chris Squire. Both of them used Rotosounds stainless strings, and its a large component of that sound. In fact I can throw rotos on my precision or stingray and achieve a similar tone (though it won't NAIL it). Also hand position and attack are both important. That grindy snarling treble sound comes from really digging in, and generally playing down by the bridge.
Personally I prefer the round bottomed tones I get by running both pickups and rolling off a hair of treble. Rocks in a fat vintage way, but cuts through the guitars quite nicely. I keep experimenting with my fenders and other basses, but return to the ric every time, both live and in studio.
I used Rotosounds rounds on my ricks when I gigged with them and was able to get pretty close to the Geddy/Permanant Waves sound for a couple of days. Once the strings started to die down, everything got really weak.
One mistake I think I was making was too heavy of a guage. I have a really light guage set of rounds on mine now (the original ones that were on it when I bought it in 2000, actually) and that adds a little more pop to the tone.
My original 70's 4001 (my first rick) had flats on it when I got it (for $400 in a pawn shop) and it really sounded nice with the flats. Spent the rest of my gigging "career" trying to get the GL sound with the rotos. Should have stuck with the flats.
May trade my fretted for a fretless if I can find one and they want to trade....
LS
