• 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.

Is a Rick worth the money?

Is a Rick worth the money?

  • Yes

    Votes: 58 29.1%

  • No

    Votes: 70 35.2%

  • Depends

    Votes: 71 35.7%
  • Total voters
    199
Status
Not open for further replies.
#125
cassius987 said:
+1. But then all of us "rich collectors" can probably pay someone to figure it out for us. Probably a poster on TB.

Meanwhile, people with Sadowskys are somehow blue collar plebs? Etc. Even a deluxe Fender costs nearly the same so I just don't get it.
Click to expand...

Nooooo!!!! I had forgot all about Sadowskys until now! I even forgot that my dad and I were gonna drive from Seaville to NYC just to catch a glimpse of a Sadowsky.
 
#127
I own 2 basses. One is my 2003 Fender American Standard P-Bass and the other is my 1978 Rickenbacker 4001. I have all of the sounds that I want just between these two basses and I honestly don't see myself getting another bass anytime soon.
 
#129
Thunder Pulse said:
There you have it, folks - over 120 replies to a thread started by a teenager with nowhere near the funds for a Rick, nor an intention to even get one.
Click to expand...

Oh, lighten up! I'm still getting payed for working. I got payed $100 for working 3hrs. I would consider that getting the proper funds for a Ric and/or Sadowsky. My parents just frown upon my dreams of owning an expensive bass.
 
#130
If you're young and working for yourself, that is one of the BEST times to accumulate lots of dough for gear.

I usually made $2-3K a year in high school, the majority of that being earned within a 4-6 month period during the warmer months... not much in the grand scheme but there were no taxes, rent, bills, etc. to pay. So gear was a lot easier to buy for me back then even if I make quite a bit more now. Sadly I blew a bunch of that on clothes and CDs. So stupid.
 
#131
cassius987 said:
If you're young and working for yourself, that is one of the BEST times to accumulate lots of dough for gear.

I usually made $2-3K a year in high school, the majority of that being earned within a 4-6 month period during the warmer months... not much in the grand scheme but there were no taxes, rent, bills, etc. to pay. So gear was a lot easier to buy for me back then even if I make quite a bit more now. Sadly I blew a bunch of that on clothes and CDs. So stupid.
Click to expand...

I don't buy clothes more than once every 2 years because I don't grow out of em very fast. Don't buy music either. I figure that playing music is better than buying it. My boss also tries to use me as little as possible, only because money is tight. But that's just me.
 
#132
jmattbassplaya said:
Here's a story,

When I was your age I REALLY wanted a Ric but, like you, was never able to afford one or play one. Well one day my GC just happened to get two Rics brought in by a guy needing some fast cash. I took advantage of this and sat down with both Rics, plugged them in, and found... myself totally disappointed. It didn't feel good, capture the Ric sound well, or even look all that good close up.

They truly are a love/hate instrument. I highly suggest trying one first before buying one because it's a lot of cheese just to drop on something you've never played before.
Click to expand...

I would buy a Ric for it's looks alone.

It's not how good you sound it's how good you look.

Blue
 
#133
I got my Rickenbacker 4003 when I was 18; most of the money for it was from a savings account my mother opened for me so that I could buy something memorable to mark my 18th, and my passage into manly-hood.

After a couple of years of love/hate with it, I've grown to adore my Rickenbacker. I am going to propose a short hand list of things that need to be taken into consideration when it comes to getting some sweet tones out of a Rick:

1: Technique - I tend to approach the 4003 differently to other basses with my right hand and depending on what sound I'm after I will either play with a light touch or dig in. I'm big endorser of the "tone is in the hands" philosophy. It is also a great bass if you choose to play with a pick.
2: Amplification - Rickenbackers seem to shine when you give them some valves to go through, whether it's a hybrid rig or an all tube amp. The tiniest bit of grit from an amp will emphasise a Rickenbacker's growly qualities.
3: EQ - You will need to start with your amp's EQ flat and spend some time working from there.
4: Strings - To my ears Rickenbackers sound best with either flatwounds or SS rounds. Don't ask me what it is, but whenever I've tried nickel rounds on my Ric its sound tends to become somewhat muddy, and not in a good way. If you want it thumpy, get flats. If you're planning on rocking it out, get some steel on there.

So, after becoming well acquainted with my Ric, I'd say it's worth what I paid for it originally (£1200 new, COTY Blueburst finish). Nowadays they seem to be going for around £1800 in the UK. Is that worth it to me? Not a chance.

Of course: YMMV, IMHO etc etc.
 
#139
Thunder Pulse said:
For doing what? How does a teenager get a job that pays over $33/hour? Can you work 40 hours/week? If so, then in one month you should have enough money to buy every bit of gear you'll ever want or need.
Click to expand...

A teenager who can play should easily be able to make that sort of money teaching their instrument, though not 40 hrs a week.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back