P Bass Player tempted to get a RIC

[teh-slb]

Do it! Maybe you'll discover a different side of you that you never knew existed.

(I wonder if anyone else supporting the purchase almost submitted "YES" in the poll before reading the question.)

 

[Deleted member 271037]

Not a waste if you like playing Ricks and need the Rick sound. But you really need to try before you buy, for two reasons:

1) Rick quality control is poor in my experience. There are some really bad new ones out there and Rick warranty is a joke (or even non-existent). Test and inspect closely before buying.

2) You might find that you don't like it at all. Lots of people don't. It does NOT do the P-bass thing at all and it feels very different. Ricks also have a couple of annoying design "features" like machine screws into wood for the strap holders (will come loose unless you glue them), bridge that won't allow intonation or saddle height adjustment without removing the bridge from the bass, plucking close to the bridge is extremely uncomfortable, palm muting is impossible and the built in mute system will break if you so much as look at it.

 

[Marc DLarosa]

Wait 'til Winter.
You may need firewood... LOL

 

[jamro217]

Welcome to TB. For those who take the time to learn how these basses work, they can be great additions to your musical toolbox. For those that only crank up the bridge pickup soloed with the tone dimed, they sound tinny and annoying. Depending on how you set it up and what kind of strings you use, the tone can go from one end of the tonal spectrum to the other no problem. Getting used to any new bass can have a bit of a learning curve, just a longer one with Rics because most of us are used to Fenders, and these are different. I played P basses for decades before buying two Rics (a 2004 FireGlo 4003 and the avatar pic '78 4001 fretless). These are both fine basses, but worlds apart from each other and Fenders. The good thing is you don't stand to lose much by buying one due to a high resale value.

 

[Watchootognbout]

Don't do it!
You will face harsh ostracism from the Fender Extremist Front.

 

[MtManiac]

Don't do it!
You will face harsh ostracism from the Fender Extremist Front.
View attachment 3477341

Seriously? Fender extremists? Ostracism? People disagreeing with you worries you? Wow.

 

[Relsom]

You need one.....

 

[Gilmourisgod]

Rics were designed to look cool, festooned with chrome like the cars of their era. Like a lot of designs from the 60's, ergonomics was not high on the list of considerations. The S models are more comfortable to play. The bridge gripes are exaggerated, its a minor PITA that you only have to fiddle with when you change string guages. True enough about the finish issues and crap warranty. I'd recommend the W walnut models unless you have a chance to carefully inspect a painted one before buying. Rics are versatile basses, plenty of bottom on tap, but what makes them unique is that classic Squire/Geddy high end clank. If you arent after that tone, you dont need a Ric.

 

[4001]

4001S..... find an old one... with a nice thin neck and some clank !

 

[Spidey2112]

I don't want anyone to think I'm not an enabler...

... I say buy three of them.

Note: 21 Yes, 50 No @ 7:40 EST.

 

[Ric5]

Link Removed

 

[12bass]

I love the sound of a Ric but if you are expecting anything close to a P bass low end, you will be really disappointed. Rics have a brighter, snappier, mid focused sound (think Roundabout) they don't do low end really.

Huh? While the character of the tone is certainly different than a P, my 4001 certainly has lots of lows, especially from the neck pickup. The tone will be thinner if the high-pass capacitor is still in circuit with the bridge pickup (newer 4003s have a pull switch for this).

It doesn't do anything a P bass can't do.

Trolololo... very different tone that sits differently in a mix. A Ric is certainly different than what a regular P-bass can do. Better or worse is largely subjective.

 

[Wisebass]

Hi Avalon82

will this bass be Low sounding and versatile as the P bass?

A Ric is not a P!

Versatile? Depends...

Lemmy said you can have both sounds!

Loud and louder!

"Carrots" should be an option!



Wise(b)ass

 

[Relsom]

You need one.....
View attachment 3477356

4001S..... find an old one... with a nice thin neck and some clank !

All kidding aside, yes, RICs are a different beast, and really are a lot more versatile than what a lot of folks give them credit for. You can have as much down low as you've got on top if you want to.

Setup can be finniky, but I have no plans to swap out to a hipshot. The classic look is part of the allure to me. I think the Hipshot bridge is far less attractive.

Double truss rods are a minor deviation and a non issue really.

The neck profile can be awkward for a lot of folks and be a real non starter for some. It takes some getting use to.

I'm down to 4 right now. All all modern 4003s of one variation or another. I've had a few others over the last couple of years and have to say that the neck profiles on those are the reason they've moved on.

Would I entertain the thought of a 4001S or a Standard in good condition?...you bet!. But you have to be careful on those older ones too. Some of the necks were weak right at the neck pu route. That, and how the truss rods have been managed over the years would be my biggest concern. I should never have sold my '76 Burgundyglo that I bought brand new.. It was fantastic..

So OP, yes, I would definitely explore getting a RIC. It's one of those itches that once you have it, MUST be scratched or it will drive you crazy.
...but keep the Precision too. You will appreciate it once you have your RIC.

 

[msb]

I'm an old Pbass player . I have two Rics .

 

[Siggy]

I have both, I love both. Actually I have two Ric's a 4003 with rounds and a 4003s with flats. If I had to choose I'd pick the 4003s.

 

[bass40hz]

I voted YES, because while I wont say I am a Pbass player, I am am a Pbass v Jazz guy...I own 1 P (bought and sold 5 Jazz basses), and 12 "others"...one of them is a Ric 4003s...that sat in its case (and still does) since I got her in 2016 and got almost no playtime or love. My thoughts are that a Ric is such a unique beast, looking, sounding and feeling like nothing else, that you have to be immersed in that mystical Ric vibe to love it like it should be loved.
YMMV.
Rock on.

 

[Dabndug]

IME the 4001/3 has a much broader tonal palette than the P. You'll be able to coax great lows from one with the right strings and set up.

 

[micguy]

It doesn't do anything a P bass can't do.

I have to disagree. Does your P bass hum? My Ric sure did.

It also had a sound that a P bass can't quite get - pickup positioning imparts a comb filter that you can't mimic any other way, and the Ric Bridge pickup (which sounds great by itself) is in a position that no Fender pickup is really very close to.

 

[godofthunder59]

The trick to Rics is dont treat them like a P bass. If you are using the bridge pickup use the tone control and dial it back, you'll find the spot your looking for. Neck pickup is nice and full though not well defined.