ric neck ?

rubbery

 

I always thought they felt very intuitive, if such a word could be used to describe neck feel. Almost like it was just right, and I needed no adjustment or accustomization to it. Like I could go from any instrument, pick up a Rickenbacker bass, and instantly be comfortable and familiar with the neck.

 

Lunarpollen really articulated it well. I have HUGE hands- I'm 6 foot 8 or so– but after a short lil' bit my hands were instantly accustomed. I figure the adaptation factor would be less if I 1) had smaller hands and 2) didn't play a chunky-necked Hamer bass. My favorite part of Ric necks is that they DON'T REALLY TAPER. I love playing upper-register stuff, but again, the chunky necks of my current bass just messes me up. It's wider than a P-bass neck, I think. It also kills my wrist when I play faster and/or technical stuff, and then I spent an hour and a half playing the same basslines on a 1978 Ric with ZERO pain.

 

The Ric 4000 series neck profiles have changed somewhat over the last 40 years, but generally they are wide across the fretboard and thin front to back. There is no radius like a Fender, so the fretboard is flat like a Gibson bass.
The other posters have described the playing feel pretty well.
I'll add that the Ric wants you to use proper technique. No wrapping around allowed, like on a Jazz neck.

 

Maybe on some (?), but not on mine. My 4003 absolutely has a noticeable radius.

 

Mine has a radius as well. I think the most distinctive, consistent feature on Ric necks is the lack of taper. If you're used to Jazz necks it's definitely a change. Supposedly the more recent necks are thinner front to back compared to the last few years. Mine is a 05 model with the thick neck, but I've never found that to be a problem.

 

Ric fingerboards have a 10" radius.

 

I've had my JG 4003 for about a month now and the best analogy of "what a Ric is" is to something like a 1960's or '70's USA muscle car. The Ric really doesn't handle very well. Its not one of those basses that 'plays itself' (like my 4-94). What it does have is pure, raw power not found on any 'polite' bass. I love mine and so do my bandmates, but my hands feel like they've been wrestling a bull after a full night of playing.

 

The only Ric I've played was a 4001 owned by the father of a former band-mate.

The neck on that one (it was from 1979) was fat and not very fast. I'm not really a fan of the painted neck either, but the bass sure as hell sounded fantastic. It has a slight radius as well
I agree with Sufenta in my experience with a 4001- It sounded amazing, but was tiresome to maneuver on.

 

I've had a few over the years, and one thing I can say is they're not all the same. I had a mid 90's 4003 that was a log, but a 70's 4001 and 06 4003 that are as slim and fast as anything. The lack of taper makes for an even feel all the way up the neck, and that's the part that got me hooked. Ric necks just feel different, that's why they're so love/hate around here.

 

Chunky, at least from the headstock side. At least the one i tried (2005 4003) was. It was so different from everything other i've played. I think it's because the width of the neck is pretty much the same all the way up (at least it doesn't change as much as in a jazz bass for example). Anyway it's different so try it before you buy it.

 

This depends on when it was build and even what type it is. Current 4003's are wider than current 4001c64's. My '73 4001 is a whole lot less wider tham my former '99 4003. early 80's 4003 are less wider than later ones......
I Love the necks of my '73 4001 and my '75 4000. And I dont like wide necks. Other people prefer wide necks.....

 

Very well put!

I have to say, I don't find my Ric very easy to play, no where near my Marcus Miller, however, it sounds AMAZING. I am hoping the more I play it and get used it I will find it easier. I am also taking it in for a set up - I hope that helps too.

 

I guess it's the lack of taper that I really love best. I need to get a Rickenbacker of my own someday.