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Rickenbacker bass??

The tail (closest to the bottom of the bass) of the bridge lifts up due to the strings pulling on it. There's a pretty big thread about it if you do a quick search (not meaning that in a mean way, just stating you'll get a lot more info there).
 
well wathever some people say, NO OTHER bass can sound exactly like a ric, nore close enough. I find they ARE a little overpriced, but it's not true that you can replicate their sound with another instrument.
 
I started playing in the early 90s, learning on a used late-80s Bass Collection. Not sure they even make them anymore.

Anyway, the band kind of drifted apart, I had kids, and only played once a month, if that.

Until about 4 months ago. Started playing every day, working on my chops. And that 15-year-old GAS for a Rickenbacker came back in a huge way. So I scoured eBay and CL and was appalled at the going rate for a decent condition used Rick. But I found a near-mint Jetglo 07 4003 for a great price, and went for it.

I've been playing it daily since, and hadn't touched the Bass Collection until yesterday. I practiced with it just for kicks. OMFG, it felt like a cheap toy compared to the 4003. The playability, craftsmanship, fit and finish, tone, all of it--absolutely no comparison. Nor should there be for the price difference.

But wow. Since getting the Rick, I actually want to practice. It's a motivator having a bass like that. And it's inspired me to keep working to improve. To "be worthy" as Wayne and Garth would say.
 
people like them or hate them. most of the time, there is no inbetween. yes, right now they are pretty overpriced but really for a good quality bass, what's not? I have played rics since I was 16 and only in the last 10 yrs or so have the prices really jumped up...I usd to buy all day long for 300-400 real clean...not now...probably not again...unless no one has money for food and then, (like everything else) there will be giganto bargains.

Playing a ric is not like any other bass. the neck, the stretch, the whole deal is completely different than anything else we can try....I have always been motivated by a good ric...that is why I currently have 2!!!
 
I just got a 2008 fireglo ... I am doing a 4 string to 5 string mod on it. It is a freaking gorgeous bass. The fireglo is really rich and deep. The bubinga fretboard is gorgeous, and it has the full width inlays. The walnut headwings and the 60s body shape add to the good looks. The only thing it is missing is chckered binding.

Oh ... it has already started the infamous tailpiece pullup. I will be adding 2 extra screws.

I must admit I love the Ric sound ... but these days the neck doesn't feel right in my left hand any more.
 
Hello Jeff miss your help and wisdom on the RRF,you helped me a lot with problems with my 4003.Jeff will there be pics of the 4-2-5 conversion when compleated.

Ya maybe I will come back to that forum ... someday ...

I still like my Rics ... I just put a new set of strings on this one here ... With the custom pickups, Audere preamp and schaller bridge it kicks butt!

bass5%20061.jpg
 
Hi

I am wondering about rickenbacker basses. I have always wanted one as they are the coolest basses in the world. As these type of basses cant be purhased in Ireland I have no way of picking one up and testing it.
The model I was looking at is a 4003 Fireglo, There is a waiting time of about 10-12 months for one but im just looking for opinions before I order one.
I play 80's rock and use an Ibanez at the moment.
It will be running through a Ashdown EVO II 500 bass head and an EBS 500 Proline cab.

Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers:bassist:

Well, IMHO, you're gambling on a serious addiction. I don't know anyone who tried a Ric and didn't at least appreciate it, let alone get totally hooked on the playability and vibe. I resisted for many years, and then got my first about 2 years ago. I now own three. Therapy starts this Wednesday, and my wife might let me move back in and sleep on the couch.
 
Hey Johnnyb101 Im also living in Ireland (and also own a rick, bought second hand.) Just thought you might want to know, they sell ricks in Musician Inc in dublin city centre. They had a nice looking fireglo one too. €2200 i think it was.

Anyway, i love my rick, but i cant get the tone right, ive had problems with the treble pickup which i had rewound a few weeks ago and needs to go back and get sorted again. its a pain in the arse. But i want to get it right, get my rick tone. Until then, i prefer my american jazz..
 
well my 2 cents worth is......

its not worth trying to get a single bass that will do everything - there are plenty out there that are great all-rounders....but if you want a specific sound then go with the original bass that produced it....you'll never get anything that sounds just like a ric other than a ric

I've been totally smitten with my gorgeous montezuma brown 4003 (in rare supply), but I don;t play it all the time. I play it for the songs I want that growl and metallic ric clang, I don't try and back that sound off for other songs I switch to another bass. If you can afford to have a few basses in my opinion this is the way to do it

I daresay I'm now going to get flamed....but that's just one opinion I guess amongst many

here's my ric and its still as shiny as the day I bought it!
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=259424
 
I have mine now a while and its great it plays effortlessly sounds great and looks great. The only thing is the volume is really low compared to my other basses. So I run it through a and EBS TubeDrive pedal. Ive raised the pickups and that helped a bit but still a little low. Heres a little pic of it. Im so proud of it. I was trying to get them in Ireland but everyone (xmusic, musicians inc, Thomann, music maker, waltons etc. said that they dont normally stock them and they could get them but it would be a year or two before they got it. So I found rickysounds.co.uk and I had it within a week, brand new in a nice Rik case.
 

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