Just bought my first Rickenbacker. What now?

[garrett77]

I'm anxious about the neck, I keep reading how necks from that era are huge. I once had a early 2000s Warwick that had a neck so thick it was painful to play.

Mine is also a 2005. The neck felt big at the lower frets until I adjusted the nut slots. The thickness of the neck/fingerboard front-to-back at the first fret is 0.92" (not including the fret), just over 1/16" thicker than my Jazz. I attribute this to a little extra meat needed to transition to and support the headstock. At the twelfth fret, thickness is 0.95", which is thin...

The width at the nut is 1 11/16".

 

[Smooth_bass88]

Hey TB. Been playing for 30+ years, owned probably over 100 basses throughout that time. Currently have 12. Never owned a Rick. In fact I'm not sure if I've ever played one. I had a friend about 30 years ago who played one but I can't recall if I ever tried it. I always wanted one, but have never seen one in a shop. Just pulled the trigger on a 2005, should arrive this week. I've done some research today, seems that Ricks are sooooo divisive. Play terrible, QC issues, intonation, funky bridge, dual trussrod, no shielding, etc.

So TB, where does one start? Any tricks or helpful advice? Specifically from RICK PLAYERS WHO MODDED THEIR BASS. Not really helpful to tell me how much you hated yours and sold it. Or to tell me to keep it stock. I'm a DIY guy, I'm going to "upgrade".

Do you have any gigs coming up you can use it on?

 

[droo46]

Welcome to Ric ownership - you now have an example of the best bass money can buy.

 

[birminghambass]

Do you have any gigs coming up you can use it on?

Nope, currently on a gig hiatus. No gigs until 2024.

 

[eastcoasteddie]

Guy harshing on two things he never owned

It’s called “the rumor mill”
Welcome to Talk Bass!

 

[farace]

How's that BizarrBQ? Worth the hefty price tag? Love me some Ardbeg.

I’m enjoying it, very smoky/peaty. I didn’t think I’d get a bottle, because when I looked at the price online, it was $140 a bottle and up, but it showed up at a local shop for $85, which still isn’t cheap (and I also enjoy finding really good cheap scotch), but my partner bought it for me as an early birthday present. I enjoy peat; I’m hoping to try Octomore at some point. I joke about doing a crawling tour of Islay someday.

 

[LowActionHero]

I need to find a used Ric to try, it's always been my favorite shape. I NEED to know if I dig the sound, versatility and playability, or lack thereof ...

 

[Bonafide]

Its got the most milk and honeydew tone of all the basses.

 

[Pet Sounds]

They sometimes *do* have a baseball bat neck. QC is inconsistent in that.

I’ve had five Rics. All of them had different necks. One of them, I immediately returned - it never left the store. Sounded great, but the neck had a VERY BAD U-shaped profile. I have honestly played double basses with thinner necks than that one.

So don’t dismiss it as a myth, because it does happen.

But your VERY BAD U-shaped profile might be somebody else's VERY AWESOME U-shaped profile.

 

[Buster Brown]

You of course had to remind me that I have some Kilchoman Loch Gorm, Ardbeg BizarrBQ, and Oban Little Bay calling me from the cabinet . . . but I have to work.

Sorry, it's the Scottsman in me.......sometimes I can't resist..

 

[Buster Brown]

These seem popular:

Zero Mod 4003 Ric Thumbrest - Best Bass Gear

Yeah, I've got one on my 4003S....works well, but honestly, I use a pick for the most part omn that bad boy...gotta love that Chris Squire guy!!

 

[KYbass]

They sometimes *do* have a baseball bat neck. QC is inconsistent in that.

I’ve had five Rics. All of them had different necks. One of them, I immediately returned - it never left the store. Sounded great, but the neck had a VERY BAD U-shaped profile. I have honestly played double basses with thinner necks than that one.

So don’t dismiss it as a myth, because it does happen.

I’ve played a dozen, picked mine from 8, all 2023 models. None of those had a thick neck or anything approaching it.

 

[Doug P]

I was going to say “take the sticker off” but looks like it was done. Play the ….. out of it

 

[Harper]

1. I'm glad I own one, nothing else gets "that sound".

2. I hate the ergonomics

3. The rumblings about QC issues are (in my experience) true.

4. I'll join the choir and say get a treble bezel and a hipshot bridge. I wish I would've gotten the treble bezel without the thumb rest, though.

5. You won't look as cool as Lemmy or McCartney playing one.

 

[Harper]

They sometimes *do* have a baseball bat neck. QC is inconsistent in that.

It's so weird. The neck on mine is chunky too.

 

[pb9717]

No zero mod thumb rest here. 1970 model 4001, pickguard IS the thumb test, or the bridge pickup cover. Never removed the pickup cover but still have the clear “finger bar”. These very early models had extremely skinny and flat necks. This one just had the frets dressed for the first time this year. Plays like a dream. Got it in 79’. It’s the same one that’s in my avatar. These vintage models are just wonderful playing pieces.

 

[Ivan R]

But your VERY BAD U-shaped profile might be somebody else's VERY AWESOME U-shaped profile.

Maybe if Andre the Giant were still alive, and played the bass. Otherwise, very unlikely anyone would tolerate that bass.

Try playing a double bass sideways. That’s how bad that neck was. I’ve seen massive thick necks in Warwicks in the past, but nothing like that particular 4003.

I suspect it’s been sold to someone who did not get to play it before buying, and who subsequently passed it down to someone else who did not play it before buying it, and so on and so forth. It must be with its 16th owner nowadays.

 

[farace]

Among my three, ‘83, ‘92, and ‘15, and what I remember of my long-ago-stolen ‘78, none had what I’d describe as a chunky neck. Then again, I had a ‘72 Telecaster Bass for many years, so my point of reference could be a bit skewed by that experience. And for as bulky as it was, it had the most unstable neck I’ve ever experienced. I swear, if a cloud went by, or if it was raining in some city 100 miles away, it would require a truss rod adjustment. I don’t miss that bass.

 

[Jeff Scott]

View attachment 5195154
No zero mod thumb rest here. 1970 model 4001, pickguard IS the thumb test, or the bridge pickup cover. Never removed the pickup cover but still have the clear “finger bar”. These very early models had extremely skinny and flat necks. This one just had the frets dressed for the first time this year. Plays like a dream. Got it in 79’. It’s the same one that’s in my avatar. These vintage models are just wonderful playing pieces.

Love the thin pickup covers from that era that don't move up and down with the pickup.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

Only caveat: use the conductive adhesive copper foil shielding tape,not aluminum, then you can tack solder stuff to it, or just add solder at at small rips and tears.