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

[Paul Boyer]

Why do you not play it?

I haven't been in a band for about five years now and no desire to jump back into one. Not much call for a 68-year-old hack bass player. I have multiple interests and life goals and many more things I want to accomplish before I get too old to do them. At my age, playing in a bar at 1 a.m. is not one of them. Hah! Listen to me complaining: It's nearly 1 a.m. right now, and I'm writing on the durn computer again. I should be . . .

 

[BassUrges]

The thing that surprised me the only time I played a Ric was that it didn't sound very distinctive to me. The store happened to have the same model combo I practice on, so it seemed like a perfect way to experience the Ric magic. When I was through I doubt I could have picked it out in a blind test.

A quite nice bass, with a nice sound. I kind of wanted it. Just not as unique as I was expecting. It could be down to me not understanding the control knobs.

 

[pcake]

the first time i played a ric, i fell in love, but everyone doesn't have the same taste, and that's okay. also strings, humidity, the amp and cab you play them through and the settings may all give a very different experience. i played through an amp the owner used only for that bass, and to me, it was glorious. i had hated how rics looked, but my ears loved it.

 

[Spectrum]

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!!!

Wow, so original, like we've never seen this on TalkBass before.

 

[lug]

This is why I love rics.....

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I can't get that sound out of any of my other basses.

 

[Hevy T]

I was a little underwhelmed with mine for the price tag, and actually considered selling it for an American Deluxe Jazz, till I played live on stage. That thing just ruled the land of tone, and now I get it!!

Its defiantly not the egronomics, My jazz and Gibson 2017 EB win that hands down. Its defiantly not that cursed binding that feels like its cutting my fore arm. Nor is it that damned pickup cover which I replaced with a walnut bezel.

ITS THE TONE!! Man that thing is one hell of a sexy tone when you are playing loud on the stage. She may not punch as hard as my Gibby, but it has the best rock bass tone I have ever heard. Also thats just going straight to the amp, no effects, preamps...nada

Infact after getting my Ric and my Gibson EB, I sold all my effects and preamps...I don't need them anymore! I may grab a Line 6 M5 just so I can have access to their chorus which would be handy, but not essential

 

[otp57]

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!!!

Ok first RICs are the best if you like them and the KEY is to like them.
For me it is a J or P bass.
Play what you like.

 

[NoiseNinja]

Don't worry, you are not the only one.

I was stupid enough to buy a Rickenbacker 4003, using a minor fortune saved up by hard work, blood sweat and tears, at some point, in my foolish naive youth, blinded by it's cool looks and great sound.

I soon woke up to reality, and our sweet honeymoon came to an abrupt end, as tears of frustration and regrets took over when I discovered how straight out horrible it felt in my hands.

Never before nor since have I laid my hands on any bass with such terrible playabillity.

To finish this tragic tale off it eventually got stolen from our rehearsal room, where I had left it to it's own miserable existence in a corner, after only having used it a few times (recorded a demo mostly using that bass, as well as a few shows).

I did not weep a single tear for my loss, and didn't ever miss it since.

And had it not been for the money lost on a resale, I would have laughed my self to sleep ever since that day knowing what horrible curse had befallen the unfortunate thief!

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

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!!!

Uh oh ... heavy words indeed ... storm is coming

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

Nah. You're safe.

If you were to trash a Precision, that would be a very different story.

Ah ah ah ah ...

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

So you didn't like a bass that was selling for $1,100 more than retail.

Was it autographed by all 4 of the Beatles?

Yes in effect also the price of the Am. Pro. was very high ... seems like a place with only one shop in the range of a thousand kilometres ...

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

Actually that price is nearly $500 LESS than retail here in Australia. You obviously missed where i stated that it was on special and the quoted prices for the other basses in my OP didn't twig you to the fact that we're not talking US dollars?

Better specifying then that you talk about AUD then

 

[Son of Wobble]

They say the happiest day of a man's life is when he buys a boat, and the second happiest is when he sells it.

 

[BAG]

Yes in effect also the price of the Am. Pro. was very high ... seems like a place with only one shop in the range of a thousand kilometres ...

Actually, it's possibly the biggest store in Australia with the biggest selection and a price match guarantee. It's just that everything is overly expensive here in Oz.

Nothing really tries to be a Ric. Nothing even tries to look like a Ric.

You are right that nothing looks like a Ric, however a lot of companies tried to look like a Ric but got sued and stopped doing it, which probably helps add to the mystique.

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

I enjoy my chickenbacker, but I might get shot for saying that here on talkbass

Chickenbacker? What is this if I may ask?

 

[Son of Wobble]

Chickenbacker? What is this if I may ask?

TB slang for a Chinese knockoff.

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

I look at the prices you guys get in the US and am very envious of the prices you pay, especially for strings. For around 10 sets of Chrome flats i could buy that "ripoff" Squier.



There's a lot of truth in that. Although even if i got a good one that 'guard would still bother me.

Go look at the Ishibashi website and buy used basses from UBOX.
I think there should some form of commercial agreement between Australia and Japan in terms of import taxes.
If not, look at the website of Swee Lee in Singapore.
Australia and Singapore are well linked and it should be possible to buy directly from them although they market only specific brands.
As an alternative grab a cheap air ticket from Australia to Singapore ... nice trip and come back with a brand new Fender American Elite Jazz Bass ... main shop is at the Bras Basah complex although for valuable instruments you may wish to fix an appointment as they have several shops in town and some in Malaysia as well

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

Did y'all know these little boats are free to operate and transport merchandise all around the world at no charge?
What kills is the import tax ... same story in Italy ... I'm trying to work around this by buying st the STRATosphere used parts as I believe custom duties will only partially apply to used parts...
Waiting for a hybrid bass made of an Am . Pro P bass body and an Am. Std. jazz bass neck ... impatient to see the results


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[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

TB slang for a Chinese knockoff.

Ah ok ... thanks, clear now ..

 

[BAG]

Go look at the Ishibashi website and buy used basses from UBOX.
I think there should some form of commercial agreement between Australia and Japan in terms of import taxes.
If not, look at the website of Swee Lee in Singapore.
Australia and Singapore are well linked and it should be possible to buy directly from them although they market only specific brands.
As an alternativa grab a cheap air ticket from Australia to Singapore ... nice trip and come back with a brand new Fender American Elite Jazz Bass ... main shop is at the Bras Basah complex although for valuable instruments you may wish to fix an appointment as they have several shops in town and some in Nakaysia as well

Thanks for that. I'll have alook at them however as most of us know, with most instruments you don't usually want to buy something without playing it first, especially Rics.........you want to play it and check every part before handing over the money.