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Picking Out A New Bass. ...input. Rickenbacker Vs Jazz

which one

  • Rickenbacker 4001/4003

    Votes: 44 39.3%

  • Geddy Lee Fender jazz

    Votes: 19 17.0%

  • American Fender jazz

    Votes: 49 43.8%
  • Total voters
    112
  • Poll closed .
#21
If you buy a new Ric, here are some suggestions: Check prices. Wildwood has great prices, and can match what MF Friend will offer. Pick of the Ricks, and North Coast Music are also good Ric dealers. When you get it, inspect it with a fine tooth comb. If anything looks hinky, especially the finish around the tailpiece, promptly return it to the dealer for another one. The better dealers offer some sort of trial inspection period. Ric has horrible customer service, and you don't ever want to wind up with a bass that you may have to send in for warranty work.

Lots of great used 4003s out there as well. There are many special edition and limited run colors out there on the second hand market and used prices are pretty depressed right now, it's a buyers market.

I have two Rics right now, used to have three. I love 'em.
 
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#22
When I got my new MIA Jazz a couple of weeks ago there was a Rick hanging on the wall as well. I played a 4001 for years but literally wore it out. Owned a couple of Fenders and had 4 custom builds as well. Getting off track here...

Anyway... The American Standard Jazz won out over the Rick in playability and comfort. Haven't been able to put it down since. The neck and pickups are to die for.
 
#26
Panther said:
When you actually have 2K$ to spend, you should pretty much know what you want. Opinions are way to varied. You like ricks and know what they can do. Same with jazz. A rick might sell faster if you don't like it in your hands.. Ergonomically very different feel. I had a 4003 and didn't dig it.
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I've played 4 different Rics. 3 4003 models and one 4001. All have blown me away, now I'm just wondering about American Fender jazz it's definitely a debate. I'm not sure I've ever played an American Jazz, I could be wrong. I've played American precision (I don't like p basses) and a Japanese fender jazz.
 
#27
Donavan12 said:
I've played 4 different Rics. 3 4003 models and one 4001. All have blown me away, now I'm just wondering about American Fender jazz it's definitely a debate. I'm not sure I've ever played an American Jazz, I could be wrong. I've played American precision (I don't like p basses) and a Japanese fender jazz.
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Honestly the Japanese Fenders hold up as well, and sometimes better, than the American Standards. Granted, a new Am Std will be very well made, but probably not so much more than a Japanese made one.

If you like Rics, get one. Sounds incredible and unique, and if the ergonomics don't bother you, then it's a winner IMO. If you don't end up liking it, you can sell it for less of a loss than the Fender.

Just curious, what is it about P basses you don't like? In my opinion, they are closer to Rics than jazzes are, in terms of mid range presence at least. They lack the growl and "caramel coating" of Ricks, granted.
 
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#29
Donavan12 said:
I had a classic vibe but the neck went to **** when i got it(mad) and had to exchange it for an Indonesian affinity...sounds pretty good though I think I got a gem. I'd probably get a classic vibe and still score a ric.
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Well, if it works for you, OK, then. I know a Berkley grad professional who tours with an Affinity (I think he changed the tuners). We did a double bill with his band and he sounded amazing.
 
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#30
Gasman said:
Honestly the Japanese Fenders hold up as well, and sometimes better, than the American Standards. Granted, a new Am Std will be very well made, but probably not so much more than a Japanese made one.


If you like Rics, get one. Sounds incredible and unique, and if the ergonomics don't bother you, then it's a winner IMO. If you don't end up liking it, you can sell it for less of a loss than the Fender.

Just curious, what is it about P basses you don't like? In my opinion, they are closer to Rics than jazzes are, in terms of mid range presence at least. They lack the growl and "caramel coating" of Ricks, granted.
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Well I don't like the chunky necks for one thing, I like the looks of the Jazz much better, I find it more visually appealing. I just never really liked them as much as the Jazz. The ric just sounds great with round wounds or flats same with a Jazz. I'm weird, I know. I have friends that play on P basses and I never have any issues with them, I'm just a Jazz bass kind of guy. Never cared for p, or p/J configurations. I have tried musicman basses and I'm not sure what my opinion on those are. I slap and pop just as good on a Jazz. I've heard people slap and pop on a Ric but I've never tried. I also like nickel round wounds since they're easier on the frets. I'd still like a Ric but maybe a Japanese Fender or a used MIA may be a better investment as a bass I can play EVERYTHING on.
 
#31
If you don't like chunky necks, I'd rethink the Ric. You're not weird- different strokes for different folks. Both the Ric and the jazz will sound great no matter what strings you put on them. Jazzes are better known for slapping, but you can slap a Ric too, although the neck pickup is a bit closer to the neck than the neck pup on a jazz.

Musicman makes great basses as well, but now you're getting off your own topic!:D
 
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#32
Gasman said:
If you don't like chunky necks, I'd rethink the Ric. You're not weird- different strokes for different folks. Both the Ric and the jazz will sound great no matter what strings you put on them. Jazzes are better known for slapping, but you can slap a Ric too, although the neck pickup is a bit closer to the neck than the neck pup on a jazz.

Musicman makes great basses as well, but now you're getting off your own topic!:D
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I like playing Rics. ...yet I hate p bass necks! Lol lots of great input. I'm starting to steer more towards the Jazz to save some cash
 
#35
Donavan12 said:
He whips out the Ric once in a great while, but yeah this should probably be a message to me to use the jazz since I cover his stuff.. lol. ..some of it was originally played on the Ric and he now plays it on the jazz live (red barchetta is one example). Lol
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From what I have played the MIJ Geddy Jazzzz are the highest quality and most consistent. I had no idea there is a Korean one.
 
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#36
This talked me out of a Rick...

IMG_0662.JPG
 
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#40
I wanted to love rics, but couldn't. Life is short. Buy one or two before and use them before you can't. I'd take a CIJ Geddy as a home/jam bass, an American P for live work.
Ric- looks cool, sucks to hold
CIJ Geddy- looks cool, sounds great, feels fantastic if you're into a pencil-thin neck, feels good if you're into normal necks
MIA P std- solid.
 
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