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

[Killed_by_Death]

I guess when there's $2.7k USD sticker price on it, you expect it to levitate you into an alternate dimension where everything just sounds better.
I would.

It wasn't some $700 used American Standard Fender...

 

[Spidey2112]

The neck on a Ric is one of its best features.

Along with the sound.

And the look.

Not only are you 'prowla', but are correct, also...

 

[prowla]

Not only are you 'prowla', but are correct, also...

(I think I may have previously registered as "prowla" but forgot my account details, so I had to re-register and reassert myself!)

 

[Michael Schreiber]

I guess when there's $3k USD sticker price on it, you expect it to levitate you into an alternate dimension where everything just sounds better.
I would.

It wasn't some $700 used American Standard Fender...

Yet, it wasn't USD, it was AUD. At first, I also thought "What the..." when reading the price
It's still more expensive than in the US, but that's the normal price for a new one. Guess, there are not many in the used market, in Australia. Same here, in Germany, btw.. And then again, used ones in good condition might be more expensive than a new one. Just saying, since that also may sum up to the point where one might ask "Why the hype?"

 

[Killed_by_Death]

$3,500 AUD is just under $2.7k USD

Ah, so I went back and corrected my previous post.

 

[Spidey2112]

(I think I may have previously registered as "prowla" but forgot my account details, so I had to re-register and reassert myself!)

Plus, the username 'iamcorrect' was banned to the nether regions, for being too cocky...

 

[GregC]

To those that think this thread is trolling or say if you don't like it just play what you do like and move on and save some typing, who have nothing to contribute to the discussion, practice what you preach. This is a forum for discussion. So what this topic always resurfaces and is very polarized: it makes for nice discussion.

Now that that's out of the way, I have tried a ric at a music store several times.
The first time I was unimpressed with pretty much everything same as the OP. Cheap pickguard, bad finish details that were just sloppy, poor design.
The second time I was more impressed. In a music store setting you can't put it through its paces though.
I still wouldn't buy one but I have a respect for those who have used them to make iconic music.

Rickenbacker is an old school company that mostly tries to keep their design and way of doing it intact IMO. That is part of their attraction to people. It's like getting a 60's 'vette brand new. Some technology is outdated by today's standards but tons of vibe.

I've probably repeated a lot of what's been said but I could only Wade through 2 pages.

If every TBer started a "don't get the hype" thread every time they tried a well-loved model of bass for the first time and didn't like it, this forum would be awful.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

It seems to be a weekly thing lately, the "tell me why I should pay over $1k USD for a RIC".

 

[BAG]

Because it's a bass discussion board and only talking about basses you love in order to avoid hurting feelings would be boring. He tried a bass he didn't like and he gave some positives as well as negative impressions. Every thread shouldn't read like a review from Bass Player magazine.

It certainly creates discussion.......

View attachment 1168073

OP, rather than pay an extortionate three grand, maybe you should simply liberate the axe.

#whatwouldneddo

Makes a certain sort of sense..... but i'm definitely not going to jail over a Ric

Wow, it's appalling how many people overlook the fact that the OP is in Australia.

I don't think anyone's missed that point. What sucks how much diff between what Aussies are stuck with having to pay versus US stateside... it seems criminal.

Yet, it wasn't USD, it was AUD. At first, I also thought "What the..." when reading the price
It's still more expensive than in the US, but that's the normal price for a new one. Guess, there are not many in the used market, in Australia. Same here, in Germany, btw.. And then again, used ones in good condition might be more expensive than a new one. Just saying, since that also may sum up to the point where one might ask "Why the hype?"

And that was a big part of my point. For the money asked you would really expect everything to be top quality.

@BAG - you still got all your teeth Mate?

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

All teeth accounted for (except the one that had to be ripped out a few years ago).

I fully expected to be attacked for putting forward an opinion on Rics that didn't rave about them.... although nearly 250 posts in less than 24 hours and the top trending thread still surprised me a little.

I DO get it that if you want the Ric sound there's really only one way to get it. Also, if you want that Ric look you've either got to get a Ric or a cheap knock-off that probably won't sound at all like a Ric.

The comments that made me laugh the most are those that insinuated that I mustn't be a good player if I can't appreciate a Ric. If it makes you believe you are a bass god because you appreciate a Ric, good on ya!

 

[Fender_Bender]

The last time I played one was in a store in 2001 so I can't really make a comment about ergonomics or quality. I do know that in that thread put up in the past 3 days with one player playing about 6 different types of basses that I thought the Ric tones were really thin and uninspiring imo. Being in Australia it would possibly make financial sense for you to find a local custom builder and have him put together a bass as you want it. It might actually be cheaper than an import.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

Yes, thin, unless you were listening to the ones in that thread where some guys with 4004 models were showing off the timbre.

 

[Spidey2112]

It certainly creates discussion.......



Makes a certain sort of sense..... but i'm definitely not going to jail over a Ric







And that was a big part of my point. For the money asked you would really expect everything to be top quality.



All teeth accounted for (except the one that had to be ripped out a few years ago).

I fully expected to be attacked for putting forward an opinion on Rics that didn't rave about them.... although nearly 250 posts in less than 24 hours and the top trending thread still surprised me a little.

I DO get it that if you want the Ric sound there's really only one way to get it. Also, if you want that Ric look you've either got to get a Ric or a cheap knock-off that probably won't sound at all like a Ric.

The comments that made me laugh the most are those that insinuated that I mustn't be a good player if I can't appreciate a Ric. If it makes you believe you are a bass god because you appreciate a Ric, good on ya!

I thought the Star Wars reference thingy was pretty sophomoric...

... so I got that going for me...

... as well as a token for bass god status.

 

[Buster Brown]

How could you not love one of these?

Orville Rickenbacker!?!?!

 

[foolforthecity]

Orville Rickenbacker!?!?!

Not so sure I like the cosmetics of this model. I'd have to fill in the craggy creases and would most likely take off the eye cover, it might be ok then.

...oh yeah, and it definitely looks to need some bridge work.

 

[Buster Brown]

Not so sure I like the cosmetics of this model. I'd have to fill in the craggy creases and would most likely take off the eye cover, it might be ok then.

...oh yeah, and it definitely looks to need some bridge work.

I guess the OBVIOUS question would be "Why all the hype about this guy!?!?"

 

[BAG]

The last time I played one was in a store in 2001 so I can't really make a comment about ergonomics or quality. I do know that in that thread put up in the past 3 days with one player playing about 6 different types of basses that I thought the Ric tones were really thin and uninspiring imo. Being in Australia it would possibly make financial sense for you to find a local custom builder and have him put together a bass as you want it. It might actually be cheaper than an import.

I was actually talking to someone about this the other day. There's a great luthier a few hours away from me in Canberra that builds custom basses of unbelievable quality. They start around the $5000 mark and after material costs he estimates that he makes well less than $10 per hour for his labour. I would not be surprised if he could sell his basses for much, much more in the USA due to a much bigger market for high-end instruments whereas here in Oz the market is very small. Sort of the opposite to mass manufactured basses from the big names costing a lot more due to the small market, amongst other issues that push the prices up.

 

[Korladis]

Isn't there a bass with a KAOS pad on it?

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Would be interested if not for the body shape and likely active EQ.

It certainly creates discussion.......



Makes a certain sort of sense..... but i'm definitely not going to jail over a Ric







And that was a big part of my point. For the money asked you would really expect everything to be top quality.



All teeth accounted for (except the one that had to be ripped out a few years ago).

I fully expected to be attacked for putting forward an opinion on Rics that didn't rave about them.... although nearly 250 posts in less than 24 hours and the top trending thread still surprised me a little.

I DO get it that if you want the Ric sound there's really only one way to get it. Also, if you want that Ric look you've either got to get a Ric or a cheap knock-off that probably won't sound at all like a Ric.

The comments that made me laugh the most are those that insinuated that I mustn't be a good player if I can't appreciate a Ric. If it makes you believe you are a bass god because you appreciate a Ric, good on ya!

The thing is, that price has much less to do with it being a Rickenbacker, and much more to do with it being in Australia.

Around here, a 4003S costs about $1400 and a 4003 $1600-1700. Which sure, is not cheap, but it's certainly no boutique price either.

 

[socialleper]

They're not particularly expensive. The 4003 is only as dated as any of its contemporaries, and the 4004 isn't dated at all, IMO. Ergonomically, in my experience, even the ones with binding are fine as long as you don't put your plucking hand into a chicken-wing type position, though the unbound models (4003S and 4004) are more forgiving.

It comes down to a matter of taste. I'm not a fan of retro looking anything. I like retro music, but the visuals are like nails on a chalkboard to me. The basic body design, regardless of model, is retro to me. I know the 4004s exist, but when people say "Rickenbacker" they are really talking about the 4001 and 4003. The pickup placement, necks, and body shape are nearly unplayable for me. The tone is interesting, but I think I would have a heck of a time getting a usable live tone out of one.
So I don't get them. That's just me. Al from Sleep is about the only guy I would say has a tone that I hear and think Ricks are OK. And that's not really with Sleep as much as Om. Let's face it, Sleep is about a feeling, not a tone. Matt and Al have a unique tone together, but separately are pretty grizzled. Doom and Stoner metal player bassists are only see using them in the wild, and I tend to think its because they are hung up on the 70s vibe and\or Sleep. Just my $0.02

 

[Jeff Scott]

Ricks are very modern looking, to me.

 

[jollygiantchris]

string taper = that the neck is getting narrower towards the head?

Yeah, basically the Ric's have little or no taper like a guitar. Feels weird and didn't work well with my hand shape. That being said you can't really argue with the tone Ric's have, they really do sound great for rock/metal based music. It's really difficult to get a non-usable tone out of a Ric. I felt like the lack of taper and the shape of the neck bothered my fretting hand wrist a lot and made it difficult to play for long periods of time. Never had that issue with any other bass I've owned/played.