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Is buying a Rickenbacker even possible??
- Thread starter Felken
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- rickenbacker
They are iconic, but they are very old school in how they are built which means they are very inconsistent as far as fit and finish goes. They also require a little more maintenance than say most other basses. You'll find the neck needs to be adjusted more often than not, the electronics can be somewhat funky as well. The jack, the pickup switch are common problems found with 4003's. They feels like a totally different animal than most basses and it'll take some time to get comfy with it. They look great, sound great, but they are certainly not the best playing or the most well put together basses on the market these days.
You can get them at L&M for around $2450 brand new. However they tend to get a number of used ones as well as people buy them and realize it's not what they wanted or expected.
You can get them at L&M for around $2450 brand new. However they tend to get a number of used ones as well as people buy them and realize it's not what they wanted or expected.
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30 years ago a used 4001 was 500CAD any day of the week. I'm pretty sure you could get a 'player' used one for 2000 CAD now. going rate!! Kijiji, FB marketplace, maybe even L&M...
edit
CAD 2000:
CAD 1850:
CAD 1650:
Incidentally.. You have played one, right??
I keep buying them... and have to sell them two days later as the edge binding is just totally non-ergonomic for me. Seems every couple of years I fall for the same trap. Checkerboard in particular suckers me in!!! I did have an awesome Model 3000 that I gigged for a decade, (no binding!!) but now on the lookout for a 4004 or 4003s (no binding!!). Good luck finding a 4004, 3001 or 3000 in your price range now... they are all in the rare and scarce unobtainium department
A 4003S will be my next Ric also, but don't even noticed the binding, I just want one, I think I adjusted to the things people complain about ages ago.
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View media item 17604The one on the left $275 with case, Brand new.Are you serious? Brand new? That was wicked* cheap, I know Carl, I even gave lessons there sometime during the early 90's.
* Gotta use Mass lingo with another guy from Mass, wicked pissa!.
Incidentally they are very versatile, you just need to spend enough time with them. Setting intonation is NOWHERE near as difficult as some people make it out to be, just loosen that particular string and use a small Phillips head screwdriver and use a little force against the screw so you don't strip it, once it's set it's done for life unless you change strings to a different gauge and even then not usually. They can mimic both a P bass and a Jazz. I can finger pluck very close to the bridge, another thing I always recommend is take off the cover and lose it, some people get flat covers to go over that area, I like the way they look with no cover. Most of the complaints I read here are from people who never really took the time to get used to them. Try getting used to a Gibson sometime. Every bass is different although the majority are Fender-style basses which is why you can pick them up and feel right at home. With A Ric or a Gibson if you're a Fender player as I was it will take some time to get used to their quirks and all basses have quirks. Like I said before, if you want one buy one and you will get accustomed to it and you'll probably end up loving them as I do. I've used the mute here and there, I bought a new mute pad for my 79 about 10 years ago, they dry out after some years. I agree they are hard to palm mute though but it can be done but not real comfortably.
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Oh I believe you just that Union music never had the rep of being overly inexpensive
, I like him though. Says I don't have permission to access that folder? Hey you know Jim Perry? Ron Ouimette? Lee Vachon RIP? I've played with those guys over the years. The band Southpaw?
Yes, I used to be in SNYPROh I believe you just that Union music never had the rep of being overly inexpensive
We used to play there every Thursday, now I'm wracking my brain, see me a private text.
That thing's in nice shape. I like the 1/2" spacing on the neck pickups, I had a 75 with the same spacing.
Buy 2, take both home. If they are that pricey in Canada, sell one to fund the trip South.Drive somewhere and get one. Make it a mini vacation.
Get your hands on it and make sure it is the one for you.
Then you get a Bass and a story to go along with it.
It's definitely up there with my favourite bass tones, if not then it certainly is. This thing sounds HUGE, entirely custom wiring loom. Not unlike an SG/Les Paul loom actually. Single output too, ric-o-sound has been entirely removed. Still has that "Ric" tone, just sounds like it's taken a few more steroids than recommended
It's definitely up there with my favourite bass tones, if not then it certainly is. This thing sounds HUGE, entirely custom wiring loom. Not unlike an SG/Les Paul loom actually. Single output too, ric-o-sound has been entirely removed. Still has that "Ric" tone, just sounds like it's taken a few more steroids than recommended
One tone or two?
2
still has independent volumes and tones, switchable it's just the wiring has been modified, especially the earthing. Zero hum or buzz at all now! Also the pickup-choking capacitor has been removed
Hi Felken
Let' s do a mantra together!
Close your eyes and repeat...
Got it?
When you are 45 you will have a wife, two kids, a house, a cat, a dog, two cars...
and less money to spent for a bass!
The Ric will still be expensive! Do it now! (now start the mantra again!)
may the bass be with you
Wise(b)ass
Let' s do a mantra together!
Close your eyes and repeat...
Got it?
When you are 45 you will have a wife, two kids, a house, a cat, a dog, two cars...
and less money to spent for a bass!
The Ric will still be expensive! Do it now! (now start the mantra again!)
may the bass be with you
Wise(b)ass
This for sure. I played one at a music store for about 30 seconds… I couldn’t wait to hang it back on the wall. It was the most uncomfortable guitar I’ve ever played.
Just to make it official:
Good luck with the hunt!
Good luck with the hunt!
