I have a US Lakland Bob Glaub and I was thinking about trading for a Rickenbacker 4003. Do you think this is a good idea, or is G.A.S. just rearing its ugly head again?
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Lakland or Rickenbacker
- Thread starter bassfart
- Start date
Rics are love/hate with many people. If you love them then go for it.
We can't tell you if you can keep your Lakland tho. How much money do you have?
We can't tell you if you can keep your Lakland tho. How much money do you have?
The ergonomics alone are going to be a big adjustment. Some people hate the Ric's hard edges and shape. I happen to love it but I admit its not as comfortable to play as a Fender-type bass. The tones are going to be subjective, I personally think both Rics Ive had can sound like a J bass if I want it to (at least in the ballpark). If you have never played one, you have to ask yourself how attached you are to the Lakland if it doesnt work out. Good thing about the Ric is that it holds its value so you can sell it for little to no loss.
I've heard horror stories about support with Ric if anything goes wrong.
On the other hand, I've had incredible support from Lakland...
I've seen more dud Rics than Laklands...
On the other hand, I've had incredible support from Lakland...
I've seen more dud Rics than Laklands...
There should be a third choice. "Keep Lakland, forget about the Ric". Haha. I guess you can tell I'm not a Ric fan. I never saw or heard the appeal. But to each his own. Just be careful. I know a few people who took the plunge and either loved it, or wished they had never bought the thing. And as said in a previous post, if anything goes wrong, you're screwed. Their customer service is one of the worst.
I had a US Glaub PJ and a Ric. Sold the Glaub, still play regularly with the Ric. I also have two Js and a P so I felt I had all that the Glaub did sonically already covered. To my ears, nothing can do a Ric tone but a Ric.
I love my two US Laklands, best basses I've ever played (especially the necks). I'd like to have a Ric, too, but not at the expense of losing the Lakies. BTW, your profile says you have two other P basses as well, so you're not giving people enough info. I'm not voting, the decision is up to you.
bigfatbass
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- Jun 30, 2003
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Both have the obvious plus and minus, but the Glaub is going to be a far more versatile axe. Rics are awesome, I am definitely a fanboy, but much like a Ripper or a one pup stingray, it only really makes one sound. There is some range of adjustment in that tone, but these basses have very specific voices. If that's the tone you want all the time, then do it. Otherwise save the pennies and keep the Lakie BG. If it were me, the Bob Glaub would be a "put it in the coffin with me" bass.
I would hang on to the Lakland. I love the way Ricks look, but I just don't like the way they feel.
Cheers,
Jim
Cheers,
Jim
I have a US BG, a US JO, a Stingray and a Ric 4001. The BG would be the last one I'd get rid of... and I love my Ric.
I feel like this is pretty much unanswerable. You need to play the Ric first if you can. I own mostly Rics and love them very much, and also admire Laklands, but there are some things about the way a Lakland neck feels that bug me. It's not the bass's fault, it's just a preference thing. It would take me a while to get used to a Lakland full time. You may have similar issues with a Ric. It's impossible to know before you try one.
The BG is a Precision right? Precisions and Rics have similar mid-rangey growl so at least you'd have some familiar territory there... The Ric has a few extra options though.
The BG is a Precision right? Precisions and Rics have similar mid-rangey growl so at least you'd have some familiar territory there... The Ric has a few extra options though.
I would keep the Lakie, not a fan of Ric's at all. Most uncomfortable bass I have ever played. But ultimately only you can answer your question, have you played a Ric?
I'm going to have to side with the "keep the Lakland, keep saving" camp. For the longest time, I remember wanting a Ric so badly. And when I got it? Had the honeymoon, but then soon after really wasn't adjusting well to the ergonomics of the instrument. It just didn't feel right. Rics are definitely a different animal... for me anyway.
That, and I really like Laklands. So there's that.
That, and I really like Laklands. So there's that.
How about rent or borrow a Rick until the madness passes? Nothing like living with a Rick to help you get over the lust.
Kind of like landing that super hot chick only to find she's a total pain in the butt. Better if she was a rental unit.
Kind of like landing that super hot chick only to find she's a total pain in the butt. Better if she was a rental unit.
Hey BFB, not meant as an insult (anyone who loves Ricks is ok in my book!) but Geddy Lee, Paul McCartney, Chris Squire, Bruce Foxton - all sounded completely different on their Ricks. It's just wrong to say they "really only make one sound". I don't subscribe to the "one trick pony" sound theory for ANY bass; that's what EQ is for...
