The Cij geddy seems to be the flavor I'm after at this moment and I'll have left. Although I do like the jazz basses with maple necks with white binding and white blocks, those are cool too.
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Picking Out A New Bass. ...input. Rickenbacker Vs Jazz
- Thread starter Donavan12
- Start date
I voted American jazz.
I love the way ric's look and sound, but I've never played one that was comfortable.
I also have been in the camp that MIM is a worthy sub for American fenders until I played them. The American deluxe jazz was the most amazing fit to me of any bass I had ever picked up. I now know the difference!
I love the way ric's look and sound, but I've never played one that was comfortable.
I also have been in the camp that MIM is a worthy sub for American fenders until I played them. The American deluxe jazz was the most amazing fit to me of any bass I had ever picked up. I now know the difference!
I only own a jazz of the two but that matters not. Also, people will recommend based on their tastes. Get what you like- soundwise, looks-wise and comfort-wise. Either one can be eq'd in a band mix to sound excellent in most situations but the Jazz *probably* has a little more sound variety. Probably. But do you need more?
There are good cheaper basses and bad expensive basses so don't let money fool you.
Most importantly, its a crap shoot with any bass- either play the exact one you are buying or make sure you can return it no questions asked. Or buy used so you can sell without much loss if you don't like it.
Good luck!
This pic was from the mid -80's -
One of several I've owned. Great basses ( this was a 4001), but if you want great sound and versatility, I'd recommend a jazz. It seems your young enough, that you have lots of time to try the more specialized types of bass...
One of several I've owned. Great basses ( this was a 4001), but if you want great sound and versatility, I'd recommend a jazz. It seems your young enough, that you have lots of time to try the more specialized types of bass...
Talk about saving money- I have a 2012 American Standard Jazz and two weeks ago I bought a $250 Indonesian Squier Jazz that sounds just about exactly the same. Lighter tuners and bridge on the squier and I can't say what the neck will do in a year (I suspect it will do nothing) but it's essentially the same bass to me. It sounds like you're young- don't sweat this stuff too much. Save some money if you can be happy with a less costly but good bass, just like you're thinking.
Dominick C.
Guest
Yeah, I felt the same way until recently. Close your eyes and listen closely next time you get to play one, they sound really good. They are also really versatile. Not quite the solo instrument the Jbass can be, but better in the mix.
The j bass will be more versatile than the ric IMHO.
The Rick will likely be cooler looking than the J bass
For the money you are spending you should consider a used bass, your money will go a long way. Look at what was posted on eBay today. Skjold 4 String Bass Custom Made | eBay Not mine, but I wish it was.
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I hear you there. I'd probably be hall with an MIM Fender or even a Squier Vintage Modified or Classic Vibe.
Oh yeah, for sure. I almost always would rather buy used than new. I can pick up a used MIM for around $400 pretty good deal in my opinion. It also gives me more to spend on strings, amp, sansamp pedal etc
. So realistically....I want a Rickenbacker. ...however I've been satisfied with an MIM Fender jazz in the past. The thing is...the ric would most likely be bought and then tried out...rics aren't as readily available to play in stores like mim Fenders and any jazz bass for that matter. So....what I'm saying is, I've been satisfied for less. I probably could be pretty well set with a CIJ Geddy fender or even any other fender in the 500-1000 range.
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Dominick C.
Guest
Oh yeah, for sure. I almost always would rather buy used than new. I can pick up a used MIM for around $400 pretty good deal in my opinion. It also gives me more to spend on strings, amp, sansamp pedal etc
I played a 4000 the other day. Now that is a cool bass
I find Ricks quite comfortable to play, they hang well on a strap, in general are not too heavy, very little neck taper from the nut to the heel for excellent feel up and down the neck, versatile tone, great classic rock tones with roundwound strings for great clarity, and smooth buttery Beatlesesque tone with flatwound strings, particularly TI Jazz Flats.
Personal input here. I own both. 2008 American std. Jazz and a 2011 4003. The rickenbacker gets all the recording time because it sounds amazing through a VT Bass. The jazz is definitely easier to play. Strung it with TI Flats and it really is the easiest bass I've ever played.
The jazz doesn't seem to hit the low E as well as the ric does however. the ric has always shocked me because of how well it sings through all the frequency ranges. You can get a really nice thump with flats, and get ready for tons of compliments.
I voted for the rickenbacker because if you enjoy the feel... the tone and look will always be there.
The jazz doesn't seem to hit the low E as well as the ric does however. the ric has always shocked me because of how well it sings through all the frequency ranges. You can get a really nice thump with flats, and get ready for tons of compliments.
I voted for the rickenbacker because if you enjoy the feel... the tone and look will always be there.
Rickenbacker for the win!
I don't know why so many bassists pigeon hole the Ric as having only one (or a limited) sound. It is the most versatile bass I've played! It gets closer to sounding like a Jazz than the Jazz can to a Ric, for example.
I began my professional career on a beautiful (but heavy) Jazz, when they were ONLY made in the US! But comparing them is not easy.
Ultimately, if you already know you like the Ric, that is THE one!
I don't know why so many bassists pigeon hole the Ric as having only one (or a limited) sound. It is the most versatile bass I've played! It gets closer to sounding like a Jazz than the Jazz can to a Ric, for example.
I began my professional career on a beautiful (but heavy) Jazz, when they were ONLY made in the US! But comparing them is not easy.
Ultimately, if you already know you like the Ric, that is THE one!
If you like the Ric, I'd go with that especially since you've already got a Jazz. As ScottTunes said above, Rics have the reputation as having one tone only. I can get a slew of great tones out of mine. Also, IMO Rics have the rep of being a "twangy" sound, ala Chris Squire. Squire had a lot more going on with his setup than the Ric to get that "Squire" tone. McCartney used a Ric - completely different tone!
I've owned Rickenbackers. I've owned Jazzes. I like 'em both. A lot.
My recommendation for a Jazz? Get an American Deluxe Jazz. It's got it all. That's the one I would get if I were in your shoes.
As for a Rick, take your pick. Choose one of a vintage that suits your needs re: neck profile, electronics, color options, etc.
My suggestion is to get one of each. Not necessarily right now. But soon. Seriously, get one of each. I can't think of a better combination for getting that classic, punchy single-coil sound. Do it.
MM
Honestly man your squier jazz plus 500-700 bucks of upgrades (specifically neck, pups, bypassable preamp) from being the same as the American deluxe jazz. The N3 pups and pre I believe can be had for 250-300, a new neck depending what you get can be 200-whatever. I mean, you could buy a 70's neck, pups, tone caps, and pots and have a vintage bass with a body slab from sunny Indonesia. This also has the benefit of not having to happen at the same time, 100$ here, 200 there, and at the end you have a hot rod of a bass. I've planned many a time and even have threads here gauging what expensive bass to buy next and then something affordable but with equal quality shows up. I wont tell you how to live your life, but when you're around our age group, 2000 can go a lot better places than into gear. I learned that the hard way when I blew my savings on speakers and basses and then my car broke down
I've played an American jazz bass ever since high school. I bought a made in Japan Getty Lee Fender several years ago. The neck is thin and fast but I always ended back on my 74. I'm three days into owning my first RIC. A 2002 model 4003. I love it, I can't put it down!
- Aug 21, 2003
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If you go Jazz are you set on a Fender?
There are other options where you can get a good quality instrument and keep the price down.
For a 4 string check this out.
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I would do something like this and take the rest and put it into amplification.
The best imports out there IMHO (I played this at NAMM and was impressed).
There are other options where you can get a good quality instrument and keep the price down.
For a 4 string check this out.
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I would do something like this and take the rest and put it into amplification.
The best imports out there IMHO (I played this at NAMM and was impressed).
