Rickenbacker Clone?

[BAMonBASS]

Dead wrong... most dealers have a couple of floor models and 10-20 more in the back, or are like MF and just do warehouse only. My local dealer, Wildwood, has no floor models unless the instrument is used, although if you are a reputable customer they'll let you try anything out. They just have to pull it from their warehouse for you first.

As for new Ric prices, $1600-1700 is what people should expect to pay. If you're looking on eBay you're screwing yourself because A) lots of the sellers are quite fishy, like the lady who orders bulk from actual dealers and then lists them "new" at a hefty mark up and B) no Ric sold on eBay will be honored with a warranty, just ask John Hall about that one. They have no dealers that do business on eBay.

I got my RIC from wildwood for $1500 shipped with the silver vintage case.

 

[Charlzm]

The Ricks I like are 4003s with the older neck profile. I'd like one in midnight blue. Now a clone is starting to sound more financially friendly - I've seen used ones fitting this profile for over $2k recently.

 

[electracoyote]

Considering the real Rics I've played and the nice lawsuit era clones I've played - that sounds like a positive not a negative.

Wow, page four. Your reaction time is getting slower.

 

[gnjpowell]

Clone or build-your-own is waste of time and money. You would not likely ever be able to recover your investment and will always have a fake and and an inferior instrument. Wait & save & buy a nice used REAL Rick. It WILL be worth it! Bonus: you can always recover your investment and it may even increase in value.

 

[aborgman]

Wow, page four. Your reaction time is getting slower.

Eh, it's just true.

Rics look great to me, sound good to me - and feel like playing a torture device to me. T-Birds are the same. I wish I could stand playing them.


...but I've played several of the lawsuit era Ric copies that look/sound very close to a real Ric but are much more comfortable to play.

 

[Buster Brown]

Considering the real Rics I've played and the nice lawsuit era clones I've played - that sounds like a positive not a negative.

Well then you should definitely play a copy. If you're looking for someone to demean you because of your choices, you've come to the wrong place. It makes no difference to me whatsoever what you play - anymore than you care what I play.

You don't like Rics....I get it....yet your choice is to play a "copy". Hey, it takes all types to make the world go 'round.

Cheers!!

 

[Duke21]

Well then you should definitely play a copy. If you're looking for someone to demean you because of your choices, you've come to the wrong place. It makes no difference to me whatsoever what you play - anymore than you care what I play.

You don't like Rics....I get it....yet your choice is to play a "copy". Hey, it takes all types to make the world go 'round.

Cheers!!

+1

 

[aborgman]

You don't like Rics

No, like all things in life there are things I like about Rics and things I don't like about them.

I like the sound. I love the look. I don't like the feel or playability.

Just like Fenders, or Hondas, or McDonalds hamburgers - they all have positives and negatives..

....I get it....yet your choice is to play a "copy".

No, my choice is mostly to play a Frankenstein Precision... never even owned a Ric clone, I've just played a bunch.

I'm just pointing out that for myself, I wouldn't be shortchanged using a clone vs. the real thing as some folks in this thread have repeatedly implied is guaranteed to happen to anyone that buys a Ric clone.

 

[Buster Brown]

No, my choice is mostly to play a Frankenstein Precision... never even owned a Ric clone, I've just played a bunch.

I'm just pointing out that for myself, I wouldn't be shortchanged using a clone vs. the real thing as some folks in this thread have repeatedly implied is guaranteed to happen to anyone that buys a Ric clone.

I have not suggested that you would be shortchanging yourself. From your reply (above) you make it quite clear that you prefer "frankensteining" your basses. Again, good for you! I am in compete agreement with your right to play what you choose. Knock yourself out!

It's funny how folks always comprehend themselves when they climb on their soap boxes, yet fail to comprehend others when they are in direct support of their decisions.

Again, if you (or whomever) wishes to play copies, please feel free to play the living daylights out of them. It's the individual's money and he (you) has the right to spend it as he pleases. No one here is suggesting that you NOT be allowed to do as you please.

Now, if actual Ric players could get the same consideration without the typical snide remarks from those who are sure that the "real McCoy" is "garbage", "Unfit to play" "a waste of money", et al.......wouldn't the world be a much nicer place to be?? Wouldn't that be (perhaps) the first step toward world peace??

 

[Mr.Fingers]

please read my post (as a rick-owner) on copy's on the previous post. I'm not hindered in any way with that kinda "I'm elite 'cuz I play a rick"-syndrome some Rickofiles seem to have. I'm a P-player, always been, always will.

 

[aborgman]

I have not suggested that you would be shortchanging yourself.

There are a lot of such "suggestions" in this thread - lots of, you'll just be disappointed, chasing your tail, etc. pronouncements that i just don't think hold.

For some folks - that is true. For other folks - they'll be happier with a clone.

From your reply (above) you make it quite clear that you prefer "frankensteining" your basses. Again, good for you! I am in compete agreement with your right to play what you choose. Knock yourself out!

Well, I wouldn't say I prefer it - but it's the only option out there when no one builds what you want.

Again, if you (or whomever) wishes to play copies, please feel free to play the living daylights out of them. It's the individual's money and he (you) has the right to spend it as he pleases. No one here is suggesting that you NOT be allowed to do as you please.

Right... but lots of folks are suggesting that you WILL (not might) be disappointed.

Now, if actual Ric players could get the same consideration without the typical snide remarks from those who are sure that the "real McCoy" is "garbage", "Unfit to play" "a waste of money", et al.......wouldn't the world be a much nicer place to be??

I get the strange impression that a lot of Ric owners think their bass is somehow tied to their self-worth, and that anyone insulting Ric is somehow insulting them... it's rather entertaining.

Everyone is free to play whatever they want, spend their money how they want, and express their opinion on any instrument they want.

 

[Buster Brown]

There are a lot of such "suggestions" in this thread - lots of, you'll just be disappointed, chasing your tail, etc. pronouncements that i just don't think hold.

Did that come from me? No.

For some folks - that is true. For other folks - they'll be happier with a clone.

No Kidding?

Well, I wouldn't say I prefer it - but it's the only option out there when no one builds what you want.

Again, no kidding?

Right... but lots of folks are suggesting that you WILL (not might) be disappointed.

Again...me? No

I get the strange impression that a lot of Ric owners think their bass is somehow tied to their self-worth, and that anyone insulting Ric is somehow insulting them... it's rather entertaining.

Everyone is free to play whatever they want, spend their money how they want, and express their opinion on any instrument they want.

And I get the distinct impression that some garner their self-worth from being argumentative to a fault.....anyone YOU know?

 

[Korladis]

Considering the real Rics I've played and the nice lawsuit era clones I've played - that sounds like a positive not a negative.

Everyone likes a different feel.

For me, most Fenders have been rather uncomfortable, whereas Rics seem built for my hands.

 

[electracoyote]

Right... but lots of folks are suggesting that you WILL (not might) be disappointed.

Those folks like Rics. For nearly everyone who likes Rics, a clone will always be a bit of a disappointment.

Obviously, if you don't care for Rics in the first place, a clone is just as good. It seems kind of redundant to even state something so obvious.

 

[arsie]

...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...

Ric only enforces the IP in the US. Ric clones are available on the UK and elsewhere in Europe.

 

[cassius987]

Did that come from me? No.

No, it came from me. And after playing the copies I have, I'll continue to stand by it. I don't get how they could be better than the real thing for anyone. More comfortable? I don't understand how the ergonomics of a copy are supposed to be inherently different than the thing it is copying. I'd sooner play a Squier, because unlike a Ric copy those are actually well made and play like a good bass ought to.

I really don't have a dog in the RIC trademark fight, that's their thing to take care of and of very little interest to me. I just don't get the appeal of copies when every one I have played was a complete mess! And when someone posts "Should I buy this Chinese bass from a builder I've never heard of because it looks like a Ric, sort've?" I have to shake my head. Sorry. That's my position and I'm not ashamed of it.

 

[Duke21]

There are a lot of such "suggestions" in this thread - lots of, you'll just be disappointed, chasing your tail, etc. pronouncements that i just don't think hold.

For some folks - that is true. For other folks - they'll be happier with a clone.

Well, I wouldn't say I prefer it - but it's the only option out there when no one builds what you want.

Right... but lots of folks are suggesting that you WILL (not might) be disappointed.

I get the strange impression that a lot of Ric owners think their bass is somehow tied to their self-worth, and that anyone insulting Ric is somehow insulting them... it's rather entertaining.

Everyone is free to play whatever they want, spend their money how they want, and express their opinion on any instrument they want.

Yes you are free to buy any bass you want. You, or any one want a Ric can just go to Denmark street in London, try and buy a Tokai Rockingbetter 4003. They Cost like 700£ I think. Change the truss rod cover to the Rickenbacker one and be a proud owner of a "4003 Ric". This solution is even better for the ones who hate Rickenbacker but still want to play one.
I always wanted a Ric, and wax very tempted to buy this copy after I played one. But still I knew it was a copy and you could see that from close hold. I didn't buy it, it was not a Ric. On the shop across the street they had a used 4001 from 77. I've tried that one and then I knew, I want a real Ric.

 

[RobJ]

I guess I'm the sort who doesn't go for "clone" (copy or knock off is a more accurate word or phrase) anything. But that's just me....

 

[Monsterbass74]

Get whatever your heart tells you, a copy, A FAKE or not, be it for that gronky-splatty Rick tone, or the look and feel, or the prestige in which you can reference Paul McCartney, Geddy Lee, Lemmy, (early DD) John Taylor, Chris Squire or some obscure player no one knows and who ever else in one or two sentences like all Rick owners I knew.

I played many Greco, Univox, Ibanez, and Aria Rick copies... they have similar sounds with better tone fundamentals IMHO.

I remember every night clearly when I was a Rickenbacker owner. Looking from across the room, in a twilight gaze, at my awful salmon pink burst bass I saved $1200 (in 1992) for. But, the next evening... and many after that... when I took it out at gigs or rehearsals EVERYONE looked at you like I owned a Mercedes. The it started to make that "tone bogarting" Rick noise. As time went on none of that mattered. Your skills are proof of pride, not some elitist narcissistic view of being a proud owner.

And if you get a FAKE you'll NEVER have a real one... NEVER! So THERE... I played that card because I owed a REAL one! Nyaaaaah!

My retort from this post... Zzzzzzz... and yes, I accept questioning on my sexuality, my panties are tight and I do suck quite well, thank you.

(How do you get kicked off this web board?)

 

[Monsterbass74]

Considering the real Rics I've played and the nice lawsuit era clones I've played - that sounds like a positive not a negative.

...and...

BOOM!

Well played.