Input and help needed...

OK, here's a few to take off your list. It'll simplify things a bit. You don't want a "one-trick pony." So no Flying V's, no Gibson basses. Epiphone is just a Korean Gibson, so no Epiphone. You don't want a bass that sucks, so no Ibanez, for sure. Many think of P-basses as one-trick, too. Forget 'em. Washburn? Nobody uses 'em.

OK, so MIA or MIM J-basses, or quality copies are good. Yamaha makes some good models. Lotsa good press on G&L's but I've never played one. Carvin if you must.

 

On the Ibanez front, forget the EDB600 and check out an ATK. They have a wide range of tonal possibilities and play very well. Depending on your budget, also check out models by G&L, MIJ Fenders and Rickenbacker.

 

Universally it seems you can't go wrong with a Fender Jazz. It doesn't seem to matter if its metal or country, the bassist is likely to have a Jazz. If you are tortured trying to fiqure it all out, do yourself a favor and get a Jazz. I wish I had from the very start and eliminated all the junk. I do recommend Carvin. Good buy for the buck, especially if you intend to get a MIA.

 

Speaking as not only a multiple-bass owner but also as a Rickenbacker owner, I can honestly say it's the best money I ever spent on a bass. Lots of people say they're limited in tone, but I've found it to be quite the opposite - I can squeeze a huge range of sounds out of my 4003, and the only tonal limitation I've found is that the mids and highs are just a shade more ballsy than the lows - and I mean just a shade. It has a nice fat bottom, but an even fatter midrange. The neck is stupid-fast, and once I took the horseshoe pickup cover off, it's the most comfortable bass I've ever touched. I haven't tried picking it, but it slaps great and fingers great.

The only problem I've ever had with it was that the neck is so thin, that I tended to pull the G string off the bottom of the freboard, but after a couple of days, that problem went away, it was just bad technique on my part.

You could definitely put me in the 'satisfied customer' category.

Oh, BTW, the official Rickenbacker website is at http://www.rickenbacker.com

-72

 

Now my personal preference has always been the Ric. For the masses, the J seems to be the standard. There is no real comparison in quality. The Ric wins hands down.

 

One of the most versatile basses I could think of would be a J bass or good copy with an active/passive preamp and good pickups in it. If youre not into modifying a bass, I would highly suggest you look at the Ibanez ATK as well, Ive got one, and I love it. it can get a tone very similar to a stingray, also to an active J bass with the rear pickup soloed. It functions well for me in a classic rock cover band, and it slaps wonderfully. fingerstyle, slap, or pick(only done it once) it sounds great.

 

I got my Ric from a music store (Bizarre Guitar in Phx) for $1050 out the door (tax included)... Suggested retail on 'em is in the $1700 range, I think, but you can usually find someone willing to cut a deal to move stock. You can also find them pretty regularly new on eBay for around $800 - $900, and used for $700 or less.

I prefer to buy from a brick and mortar business, so I can go in and actually play the thing before I lay down cash. Rickenbacker makes a mighty bass, but like any quality instrument, there are differences between each one - and you want to buy the one that feels perfect in your hands and ears. Try a few different ones, and pick the one that you like best. Even at full suggested retail price, they're worth every penny and more!

Peace out,
-72

 

Guitar Center sells them for around $1100, but you might get them a little cheaper if you are a good haggler.

 

what ever fits you the best. your buying it so it doesnt matter what we say to you. if you like it and we say we dont...do you think you whont buy it becuase someone said it sucked? go for what you like. if all else fails...get a cirrus. peace
Chad

 

Well, if you're POSITIVE that the Ric is what you're looking for, and you can't try one out locally before you buy it, you may as well get one online - it's the same scenario (pay and wait), but online will be cheaper. It doesn't say much about your local music stores if they won't even keep a Rickenbacker in stock...

Just make sure it's what you really want - like I said, it's the most comfortable bass I've ever played, and I love the sounds that come out of it, but it WAS a drastic change from the natty Yamaha P-bass copy I'd been playing for 7 or 8 years before.. and it took a bit of adjustment to my style going from something so klunky and forgiving to something so sleek and precise. If you're ready to take that step, then by all means, go for it. If not, get something that you CAN lay hands on, and hold off on the Ric until a future date when you can fool around on one for a while first!

-72

 

I wouldn't pay more than that $900 range (pre-tax of course) on a Ric. seeing them at this price is not by any means an oddity. of course, I'm talking about the 4003. I have no idea about any of the others. I just couldn't get into the feel of the 4003 though.

definitely check out G&L. those basses sound great and play really well. I checked out an ASAT and it was one of the most comfortable basses I've ever played - neckwise anyway.