Rickenbacker Clone?

[RaniBrandt]

I bought a '78 Univox 'faker from an eBay seller back in March. I loved it, and it seemed very close to the real thing, but I still kept an eye out on eBay and Craigslist, just in case a real Ric showed up at a good price. Around May, a 1981 Ric 4003 popped up on my local CL for a super cheap deal, and within the hour I had my very own Ric for $750. I then flipped the Univox for more than what I paid.

The fact is, most of the decent neck-through '70s fakes are going for $600 to $800 nowadays, which is pretty steep, considering you CAN find used Rics in that range, as long as you are patient and diligent.

 

[tinman 1967]

Do yourself a favor, call Chris at Pick of the Ricks,


They have a great website, you can bid and buy, put a deposit down on, what ever you like.

Chris is a great guy, he seems to know when they do runs at the factory, and may be able to give you somewhat of a "ball park" time slot of delivery.

I can tell you that you will most likey not be waiting 2 years.

Even if you have to wait a few months, that gives you a chance to save up some more dough.

(look how long you have waited since this thread was started

Dont settle........... get the real thing... You wont regret it!

 

[afzoomie67]

I just sat down my gorgeous 09 4003 before I read this thread, and its been about a year since I sold my 88 4003...even though I love mine, I didnt plug it in and automatically sound like Chris Squire or Geddy. As a matter of fact, I was a little disappointed when I first got a Ric as it wasnt that much different in tone than my Jazz. So, if you are broke but have your heart set on one, try to track one down so you can play it first. Just the ergonomics are difficult for some people.

I played one before, I've played a couple, actually. That's why I want one.

 

[Charlzm]

Have you looked into this?

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[afzoomie67]

Have you looked into this?

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Awhile ago, yeah. I decided not to, I think it was the active electronics that I didn't like..

 

[Korladis]

Just save up for a real one. When I was 15, I bought a 70's Ibanez copy. It's a really nice bass, but I still wanted a Rickenbacker. Would have had one much earlier if I hadn't bought it.

 

[Charlzm]

Awhile ago, yeah. I decided not to, I think it was the active electronics that I didn't like..

Huh. Description claims it's passive.

I played one of these several times and, while it did sort of approach Ricky territory in some ways (especially neck feel), it was not a clone. Now, with the right pickups...

 

[JayBassD]

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It also comes in black and cherry.

 

[afzoomie67]

Huh. Description claims it's passive.

I played one of these several times and, while it did sort of approach Ricky territory in some ways (especially neck feel), it was not a clone. Now, with the right pickups...

MF says it's active, "...and 2-band active EQ for a wide palette of sonic colors.."
I don't know, where could I get the pickups?

 

[afzoomie67]

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It also comes in black and cherry.

How's it sound and play? And the pickups, they look like a Ric's pickups, but how does it sound?

 

[Ric5]

The coolest part about owning a Rick copy is watching the Rick purists get their panties in a bunch when they see it.

They are sooo easy to upset.

The next best thing is owning a modified Rickenbacker.

 

[afzoomie67]

The coolest part about owning a Rick copy is watching the Rick purists get their panties in a bunch when they see it.

They are sooo easy to upset.

The next best thing is owning a modified Rickenbacker.

Hahahahah! Nice man. What happened to the five string Ric's?

 

[iiipopes]

The coolest part about owning a Rick copy is watching the Rick purists get their panties in a bunch when they see it.

They are sooo easy to upset.

The next best thing is owning a modified Rickenbacker.

Sloshing a little kerosene about, are we?

 

[Ric5]

Hahahahah! Nice man. What happened to the five string Ric's?

I am holding one in my avatar ...

 

[afzoomie67]

I am holding one in my avatar ...

I couldn't tell what it was. In your avi pic, it just kind of looked like..a bass that I didn't know, haha, but anyway, they're interesting looking. Definitely not a traditional Ric-style though. How's it sound?

 

[Ric5]

Sloshing a little kerosene about, are we?

Ahhh someone is proving my point ...

 

[Gizmot]

This is a preposterous argument - a real Ric is worth the dough and owning one will pay you dividends for as long as you own it. I've had one for 33 years and am still blown away by how great the workmanship is, how well it plays, it's unique sound and fantastic looks. I may be a gear snob, but I can tell the difference in feel and sound between something that's real and something that isn't.

 

[Ric5]

I couldn't tell what it was. In your avi pic, it just kind of looked like..a bass that I didn't know, haha, but anyway, they're interesting looking. Definitely not a traditional Ric-style though. How's it sound?

The 2000 series still have a Ric sound sort of like a 4004 and sort of like a 4003.

 

[Korladis]

I don't think it's wrong to own a Rick copy, I'm just saying from experience... it won't cure the GAS. At least, didn't for me.

I still have and use mine, it's a great bass even so. Old lawsuit Ibby, very good quality. If you're going to look for a copy, I'd recommend the old Ibanez ones. Mine sounds quite similar to a real Rickenbacker, though it's bolt on. The control layout is also kinda odd.

 

[JayBassD]

How's it sound and play? And the pickups, they look like a Ric's pickups, but how does it sound?

It plays really well, it's light and fast. The sound was a bit lacking but not too much, I thought it was a good bass for the price of it. If you can find one I'd go for it though, don't know how long they can fly under the radar or if they have permission to use the shape.

Edit: I don't own one, I played it whilst looking for a much cheaper one (£200-£300 was my budget unfortunately).