Me too!! Love my Ric through the Vintage Microtubes! Just needs a touch...I never found much use for my Ric-o-Sound jack, but I love the combination of Ric + Darkglass.
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Rickenbacker 4003 or Fender Jazz?
- Thread starter Rnr..........4
- Start date
Well... for purely selfish reasons, I have to say - get the Fender Jazz Bass. That way, I won't have to suffer the crap that's gonna be posted by the swarm of Rick haters that you just stirred up. And, I won't have to hear from you later on down the road, about how you don't like how it feels, plays, or any of the usual crap that people moan about, after they buy a Rick without playing (as in, actually playing for more than 30 seconds) the thing first....
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They are both incredibly different instruments. You need to play them both. The feel and sound couldn’t be any different. Personally, I think Ric’s look really cool, and they have that Ric sound that stands out. I find that the Ric sound is great, but it wouldn’t fit in a lot times with what I’m doing. Ric’s feel is totally different than the way most other basses feel. Ric’s build and hardware is... odd, especially the older ones. The first time you hear about how to adjust a 4001 neck, your eyebrows will raise.
I know that the Covid pandemic is making it harder than anyone ever imagined to try out instruments, but I’d strongly advise anyone who’s looking at a Ric vs Fender-type, to try one if possible. If that’s not reasonable, than buy a used Ric, because if it’s not for you, you can flip it without losing money.
I know that the Covid pandemic is making it harder than anyone ever imagined to try out instruments, but I’d strongly advise anyone who’s looking at a Ric vs Fender-type, to try one if possible. If that’s not reasonable, than buy a used Ric, because if it’s not for you, you can flip it without losing money.
The two basses mentioned by the OP are very different beasts. The Geddy Jazz has a narrow neck, the Ric is wider and flatter. Ergonomically I think the Geddy is easier to play. I'm not sure if weight is a concern for the OP. For me the MIJ Geddy is the best Jazz bass that Fender has ever made. The MIA Geddy is a great bass too but not quite as "grindy" as the MIJ. The MIA Geddy (to me) has a more solid feel, a little bigger neck, better hardware and a more middle of the road sound (still a great bass). Between the two I think a Jazz bass is more versatile than a Ric.
You mean besides a P bass?
Both Rick & Jazz can cover this. I favour a Rick for heavy stuff - the Rick treble and mid range just cuts thru the mix in a way I prefer.
My ranking for my basses for heavier music or at least for tonal variety.
G&L L2000
EBMM 4H Stingray
Jazz (hotrodded, so it's not a good representation of a jazz.)
Ric (I never use the ric o sound jack) I'd take this over a plain jane Jazz
I've got other basses that are less mainstream that I might grab. IE a Peavey Cirrus or a Peavey B-quad.
G&L L2000
EBMM 4H Stingray
Jazz (hotrodded, so it's not a good representation of a jazz.)
Ric (I never use the ric o sound jack) I'd take this over a plain jane Jazz
I've got other basses that are less mainstream that I might grab. IE a Peavey Cirrus or a Peavey B-quad.
I have two American Fender Jazz basses. That's the sound i love.
That being said, i was always curious about the Rick since it's so different. I finally played one last week in Sam Ash and wasn't thrilled with it. Felt great, and played great, just wasn't the sound i wanted.
You really ought to have at least one of both. They are totally different animals with completely different voices.
I own both and definitely prefer the Ric. BTW: I do not at all agree with "what you've read" about the Ric-o-Sound. I have it, and multiple amps, but have used Ric-o-Sound very rarely. I'd advise against listening to anyone about a Ric until after you've had plenty of time to spend with one; by then you will either love it or hate it, but won't know until then. Rics trade often within a well-know price range, so buy one well; if you don't like it, move it on.
I own both and definitely prefer the Ric. BTW: I do not at all agree with "what you've read" about the Ric-o-Sound. I have it, and multiple amps, but have used Ric-o-Sound very rarely. I'd advise against listening to anyone about a Ric until after you've had plenty of time to spend with one; by then you will either love it or hate it, but won't know until then. Rics trade often within a well-know price range, so buy one well; if you don't like it, move it on.
I voted Geddy Lee Jazz. I have two of them and they are amazing. IMO, they are more versatile then Rics but Rics are amazing basses if you are comfortable with them. The Geddy is a 70's style Jazz and has a more aggressive high mid and top end. I have a CIJ and and MIM. The build quality is top notch on both of them.
Well I already own a German made Warwick Corvette $$. Get some good jazz sounds out of it. I will check out the 4003S's. Thanks everyone.
Sell or trade one of your P basses for a jazz, then purchase a Ric 4003. That way you get to have your cake and eat it too. I mean, seriously, those are two totally different instruments. It's a bit like comparing apples to ham sandwiches. They're both good, but it simply depends on what you feel like at the time.
If it helps, I've owned both basses, and they are both wonderful instruments, but I'm down to one bass now, and that's a jazz bass. However, if sticking with your original premise, since you already own a couple of P basses, and assuming you don't want to sell or trade one of those for a Jazz bass, I'd go with the Ric simply because it will afford you the greatest variety of feel and tone compared to your P basses.
If it helps, I've owned both basses, and they are both wonderful instruments, but I'm down to one bass now, and that's a jazz bass. However, if sticking with your original premise, since you already own a couple of P basses, and assuming you don't want to sell or trade one of those for a Jazz bass, I'd go with the Ric simply because it will afford you the greatest variety of feel and tone compared to your P basses.
Always wanted another one. Almost 50 years later I finally was able to buy one. I chose the Walnut. What a terrible piece of crap!!
I was so disappointed. It had bad body fills poor construction bad frets. Bought from MF. I sent it packing. Really just wanted to have a nice Ric. I felt it was a B grade at best! Ymmv.
Describing subtle tonal variations is subjective. Reading descriptions about them, more so. One player's warmth or thump can be another player's mud. I probably spent my first 10 years of playing thinking that Geddy and Chris only used Ricks and Paul only used a Hofner. That being said, when I think of Rock & Metal, the tones that come to mind are a Rick and J bass for rock where I'd want to poke thru, and a P bass for metal, where guitars usually dominate and I just want to blend and hold the fort down. Others will prefer the opposite.
I own the MIA Geddy Lee Jazz and I love it. Just be aware that the necks on the MIJ and MIM Geddy Lee and the MIA Geddy Lee have slightly different necks. I didn’t know that when I ordered my Geddy. I took me a good setup at my music shop and a little time to really love it.
devnulljp
Supporting Member
Sounds like you answered your own question.
I have one of each. I find I play the Rick much more often. The GLJB I have is an early CIJ model; it feels great but the sound is pretty uninspiring.
Also, the Rick has a much more versatile sound than most people give it credit for. It is capable of a very full, round, bottom heavy sound. The "twang" is certainly something it does, but only one of the things it does.
I have a MIA Geddy and 4003s both really great basses but my Geddy is my #1. Sound wise I can get them to be very close to each other if I want. I am just a little more comfortable on the Geddy. Love them both though
I always think about Geddy Lee when this question comes up (he has vacillated between the two basses).
I own at least one of each (standard stock Ric 4003 and stock Fender Jazz). Played a gig Saturday night and I was really digging in on one of my Jazzers, fingerstyle and with pick (a little slap here and there). When I dug in with fingers, I was noticing the Geddy tone coming through. Been listening since 1975 and I still to this day have a hard time telling which bass he used on which track.
That's a windy way of saying, I think you'd enjoy either bass. The Ric has some quirks relative to other Fender-style basses in terms of set up, and they feel a little different, but nothing I couldn't get my pea brain around in short order. I think people generally make too much of the Ric's quirks, but YMMV.
I own at least one of each (standard stock Ric 4003 and stock Fender Jazz). Played a gig Saturday night and I was really digging in on one of my Jazzers, fingerstyle and with pick (a little slap here and there). When I dug in with fingers, I was noticing the Geddy tone coming through. Been listening since 1975 and I still to this day have a hard time telling which bass he used on which track.
That's a windy way of saying, I think you'd enjoy either bass. The Ric has some quirks relative to other Fender-style basses in terms of set up, and they feel a little different, but nothing I couldn't get my pea brain around in short order. I think people generally make too much of the Ric's quirks, but YMMV.
Prior to seeing the poll choices, I was going to provide the relative plusses and minuses of both, but when I saw that the Jazz was the Geddy Lee Jazz, I chose that option. I've played a few of the Japanese ones and even one custom shop version, and they have all been great. Hard to find a bass that's more universally acclaimed here on TB as well. I'm personally not a Jazz guy, but if I were to get a Jazz, it would probably be a Geddy Lee.
I have also owned a Ric, and while they're mostly known for the unique tone of their bridge pickup (Yes, Rush, etc.), Ric's actually have a lot more range than people given them credit for. This is especially true of the 4003, which can also sound like the 4001 (more vintage sound) too. Anyway, the neck pickup has some of the best deep low end you can get (maybe only the Gibson neck pickups deliver more). A typical Ric probably has one of the most versatile tonal ranges for a passive bass. My issue with Ric wasn't the sound, playability or looks - all were great, it was the quality/reliability of the construction. Some people love Rics, but mine was a lemon.
I have also owned a Ric, and while they're mostly known for the unique tone of their bridge pickup (Yes, Rush, etc.), Ric's actually have a lot more range than people given them credit for. This is especially true of the 4003, which can also sound like the 4001 (more vintage sound) too. Anyway, the neck pickup has some of the best deep low end you can get (maybe only the Gibson neck pickups deliver more). A typical Ric probably has one of the most versatile tonal ranges for a passive bass. My issue with Ric wasn't the sound, playability or looks - all were great, it was the quality/reliability of the construction. Some people love Rics, but mine was a lemon.
