Rickenbacker..... i just don't understand the hype.

[JMacBass65]

I have decided that from now on, upon seeing a new "Rickenbacker love/hate?" or variation thereof thread, rather than replying with something snarky, or a SMH type meme, I'll just post the following picture and let it speak for itself. It sums up all you need to know about my view on the subject.

 

[Korladis]

I don't particularly know what full scale is, nor if a Ric is full scale or not, nor any instrument I've played; I've never taken a tape measure to them to find out. Who says that precisely 34" is the definition of full scale?

If there was anything about their playability, it would be the neck width & profile for me.

And, of course, I like the sound.

And the look.

(I might check out that prog list, though!)

Rickenbackers are 33.25" scale. So not quite the normal "full" 34".

I love the scale and their necks, personally.

Rics need to be played at loud volumes. they don't spund great at bedroom practice levels or outside of a band mix. you can't really know how it sounds or if you'll like it until you test it in the right environment.

Yep, and they like to be played hard.

agreed. the newer ones feel like cheap toy guitars you'd get at Sears back in the day. i find the lacquer finish is way too thick and makes the new rics feel like plastic.

I disagree. I like the new ones better than the old ones, and own one of each.

And Paul McCartney.
And John Entwistle.
And Phil Lynott.
And Lemmy.
And Bruce Foxton.
And Roger Glover.
And Mike Rutherford.
And Paul D'Amour.
And Steve Di Giorgio......

And Al Cisneros, and Les Claypool.

Wouldn't shock me as my E string doesn't wow me as much as the ADG ones. I do need a pickup pole piece adjustment (buried under my bridge cover). I find myself gravitating to the A string. I suppose the easy answer is to listen to a few tracks and see if any have roots below A. I'd guess the guy wrote a few in E

My lowest strings sound great on both my Rickenbackers. Especially the 4003S tuned to BEAD.

No, he had the pickups switched out for Gibson humbuckers.

View attachment 1168095

Not for the early albums.

Ok, I have to admit the pickguard on either of mine looks cheap. A couple of TB homies pointed me to Pickguardians so I'm going to try and get a multi-ply black and cream beveled and see how that flies, looking forward to getting them

Ugh. For me the single layer, thick, unbeveled pickguard is part of the appeal. Makes a good thumb anchor point.

Yeah, don't agree with that at all. I think my 4003s sounds good in my bedroom, during practice, during gigs, low volume, medium.

I just need my wife to lift the moratorium on connecting both 15's and turning the volume past .5 while practicing at home......

Tell her that she signed up for that when she married a musician.

I know this has been said but It's sad that on a boutique price instrument this is true.

It isn't a boutique price instrument.

 

[john_g]

How could you not love one of these?

 

[Killed_by_Death]

That's Redenbacher (pronounced Redenbocker), Rickenbacker is pronounced like linebacker.

 

[Ric5]

I played a Ric for the first time yesterday and to say i was underwhelmed would be a massive understatement.

It was a brand new Jetglo 4003 which was on sale for $3549. To put this into perspective i also played a Fender Am Pro Jazz at $2629, an MIM Jazz at $1199 and a Squier VM PJ at $699.

The first thing i noticed was that it wasn't as uncomfortable as many have said other than the pickup cover getting in the way. I could quite easily physically play one without complaint.

Now for the negatives...... The second thing i noticed was that the single ply pick guard looked like it was made for a cheap Chinese toy. Really, really cheap looking. Then the finish, which when held up to the light, looked very thin and showed obvious ripples as though done by a beginner. It wasn't really bad as such but when it's one of the more expensive basses in the shop you should expect much better. Finally, the pickups output was very weak.

I can say with certainty that if i knew nothing about Rics and was handed one of these after playing the Squier VM PJ (which actually sounded better than all but the Am Pro) i would have guessed it would cost less than the Squier when taking into account the fit, finish and sound.

LET THE FLAMING BEGIN!!!

You want cheaper .... get one of these

Invalid Link Removed

 

[Killed_by_Death]

Not for the early albums.

OK, this is a single coil pickup, but is it a RIC pickup?

 

[jefff100]

That's Redenbacher (pronounced Redenbocker), Rickenbacker is pronounced like linebacker.

"

Its like "tomaaytoe" / "tomahhtoe"

To the OP:
If you try a Ric and dont get it, then perhaps its not for you and find another bass that is.

Wouldn't it be a boring world if we all drove a beige Toyota Camry.

(dang boring cars but they get the job done)

 

[rodv66]

Rickenbacker's are a love or hate Bass the first thing you have to do is get rid of that awful pickguard cover. I have a 1976 4001 that was all beat to hell but still plays very well good thing I do like about the Rickenbacker especially for Hardrock is you get a really nice over driven tone on it. It's not the bass for everyone it's not the only base I own but it's the right tool for the right job

 

[Son of Wobble]

The late Prince, pictured with his Ric. It was built for him by John Hall's son Cris, who heads up Ric's Custom Shop.

Katy Perry with her acoustic Ric from Ric's legendary Custom Shop.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

makes me want to get Katy to sign my u-bass for me

 

[Korladis]

OK, this is a single coil pickup, but is it a RIC pickup?

View attachment 1168246

Bridge pickup appears to be stock.

 

[Mannyinnewyork]

The Ric, I bought one in 1972 just for the fun of it. It replaced my PBass for the next 3 years (I could not afford two basses). I was in love with the look of it and I felt the neck was a bit easier to navigate. As far as sound, from day one I missed the PBass. I was playing in a typical rock band - 2 guitars, bass and drums. The ric got the job done, but it didn't seem to give me that "oh yeah" sound. With the PBass I felt we almost didn't need a drummer. - it was that solid and moved the band really well. The ric sounded good but didn't have the authority of the fender. I was playing through an Acoustic 360 the entire time period. Eventually I sold the Ric and got another PBass.

This means nothing and I'm sure some will chime in and say "yes, that means nothing". All I can say is that I was seduced by the look of the ric - it's beautiful, but on a gig or in the studio I preferred the PBass. For me , the allure was the look and slight easier to play neck, but not the sound.

 

[Korladis]

The Ric, I bought one in 1972 just for the fun of it. It replaced my PBass for the next 3 years (I could not afford two basses). I was in love with the look of it and I felt the neck was a bit easier to navigate. As far as sound, from day one I missed the PBass. I was playing in a typical rock band - 2 guitars, bass and drums. The ric got the job done, but it didn't seem to give me that "oh yeah" sound. With the PBass I felt we almost didn't need a drummer. - it was that solid and moved the band really well. The ric sounded good but didn't have the authority of the fender. I was playing through an Acoustic 360 the entire time period. Eventually I sold the Ric and got another PBass.

This means nothing and I'm sure some will chime in and say "yes, that means nothing". All I can say is that I was seduced by the look of the ric - it's beautiful, but on a gig or in the studio I preferred the PBass. For me , the allure was the look and slight easier to play neck, but not the sound.

Did you ever bypass the low-cutting capacitor on the bridge pickup?

 

[Mannyinnewyork]

Did you ever bypass the low-cutting capacitor on the bridge pickup?

No, no mods at all. It did not even occur to me to modify anything. Off the shelf at Sam Ash and on to the gigs. These days, I might look into something like that - one of the benefits of the Internet forums.

 

[EdwardofHuncote]

@BAG - you still got all your teeth Mate?

Probably a bad time to tell you, but I'm sorta' looking for a 4004-L.

 

[Korladis]

No, no mods at all. It did not even occur to me to modify anything. Off the shelf at Sam Ash and on to the gigs. These days, I might look into something like that - one of the benefits of the Internet forums.

Well, these days they do it for you; the capacitor is toggle-able so you can switch it on or off.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

sure, but only on the 4003, not on the 4004

 

[Korladis]

sure, but only on the 4003, not on the 4004

Would people buying the 4004 really want it?

The 4004 seems like basically a modernized Rickenbacker, and the low-cutting cap decidedly isn't modern.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

yeah, modern, I think the last design change was 1997

unfortunately, that does qualify as modern in the world of musical instruments

 

[TJH3113]

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