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Rickenbacker..... i just don't understand the hype.
- Thread starter BAG
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There are multiple Chickenbaker threads on TB should you be interested to learn more, including info on where to find them online .
I've owned a good few Rics over the years.
On a personal level, I don't like the feel of the modern 4003...or the tone. I've owned and played a good few to reach my conclusion! YMMV.
My '74 4001, to me, is the Ric. It feels and plays very differently to a new 4003. It's not perfect....big neck, heavy, big nasally mids....but it just feels alive.
Just my thoughts....I just feel the new basses lack a little magic. No idea why!
On a personal level, I don't like the feel of the modern 4003...or the tone. I've owned and played a good few to reach my conclusion! YMMV.
My '74 4001, to me, is the Ric. It feels and plays very differently to a new 4003. It's not perfect....big neck, heavy, big nasally mids....but it just feels alive.
Just my thoughts....I just feel the new basses lack a little magic. No idea why!
[ironic sarcasm alert]
I can't understand how people can like the color yellow! What on earth have they been smokin´? Or liking Justin Bieber! Or liking [insert whatever here]. While I agree with the OP I don't go out on a campaign about it. I still love others playing it, as Entwhistle, Geddy Lee, Chris Squire is/was my house gods. Still couldn't care less if others play it or hype it. I can buy others, fortunately.
I can't understand how people can like the color yellow! What on earth have they been smokin´? Or liking Justin Bieber! Or liking [insert whatever here]. While I agree with the OP I don't go out on a campaign about it. I still love others playing it, as Entwhistle, Geddy Lee, Chris Squire is/was my house gods. Still couldn't care less if others play it or hype it. I can buy others, fortunately.
Thanks but I Like the ol' made in USA stuff ..
SirMjac28
Patiently Waiting For The Next British Invasion
I'm only here because I wanted to get on the internet today
View attachment 1167909 You seem to get a good Wi-fi signal under that bridge; I'm impressed...
Oh no he didn't...
!I like the OP saying this.Why not just focus on the basses you actually like to play and not worry about the basses you don't care for?
Saves time and typing.
I've never liked Ric's. Just one of those things. But a new player might wonder what's wrong with them as a player... these guitars are so well respected and highly rated. Nah. They're just not for some people.
Don't feel bad, inexperienced players often can't tell a good bass from a bad one!
Six pages and no good pics?
That said, I totally feel what the OP is saying. The first time I played a Jazz bass, I thought to myself why would people want to play a bass with a neck like a broom stick? Since I am the arbiter of the worth and suitability of all basses and other musical instruments of the world, I just couldn't understand it. They should just stop making Jazz basses. Why is there all this hype? Clearly, if I don't like an instrument, no one should like it.
That said, I totally feel what the OP is saying. The first time I played a Jazz bass, I thought to myself why would people want to play a bass with a neck like a broom stick? Since I am the arbiter of the worth and suitability of all basses and other musical instruments of the world, I just couldn't understand it. They should just stop making Jazz basses. Why is there all this hype? Clearly, if I don't like an instrument, no one should like it.
Ah, a Rickenbacker thread!
A few years back, when I was really rakin' it in, I bought a beautiful Firemist 4003, followed by a Laredo, natural finish.
First thing I did was have them both set up by my tech, which made a big difference IMO.
I really enjoyed them both; mine were very well made instruments with lots of character.
I particularly got a kick out of playing some deep-pocket FUNK on the '03, a genre that is not generally associated
with Ric's. But I must say, the tone from that bass was sweeeet, and it laid right in the mix too.
So I'm a fan. When $$$ stopped flowing for a period, I sold both. One thing I must say is these basses are WANTED, I sold them immediately at asking price, the 4003 the same day listed!
As far as getting another, there's a few other basses on my GAS list now, & since I've had my Ric fix, maybe I'll pass.
But I personally have only good things to say about the brand & the company from my experience.
And to the OP- You're cool, lots of people don't "feel" Rickenbackers, as is the case with lots of brands.
A few years back, when I was really rakin' it in, I bought a beautiful Firemist 4003, followed by a Laredo, natural finish.
First thing I did was have them both set up by my tech, which made a big difference IMO.
I really enjoyed them both; mine were very well made instruments with lots of character.
I particularly got a kick out of playing some deep-pocket FUNK on the '03, a genre that is not generally associated
with Ric's. But I must say, the tone from that bass was sweeeet, and it laid right in the mix too.
So I'm a fan. When $$$ stopped flowing for a period, I sold both. One thing I must say is these basses are WANTED, I sold them immediately at asking price, the 4003 the same day listed!
As far as getting another, there's a few other basses on my GAS list now, & since I've had my Ric fix, maybe I'll pass.
But I personally have only good things to say about the brand & the company from my experience.
And to the OP- You're cool, lots of people don't "feel" Rickenbackers, as is the case with lots of brands.
I've got a 2010 Ric; its finish is really good and I was thinking the other day about how nice the pickguard is.
To me it has a quality feel about it.
I did a little bit of setup on it and it plays well.
If someone doesn't like Rics, then no problem.
To me it has a quality feel about it.
I did a little bit of setup on it and it plays well.
If someone doesn't like Rics, then no problem.
I'm sure the six year olds that built your Squier appreciate your brand loyalty.
Play what you like, like what you play, it's pretty simple, really.
Form and function are what really matter.
If you're real all about looks and "image" and holding things up in every angle of light to find percieved "flaws" you're missing the point.
Form and function are what really matter.
If you're real all about looks and "image" and holding things up in every angle of light to find percieved "flaws" you're missing the point.
BassHappy
Supporting Member
a BIG part of the deal with Rickenbacker basses that gets swept under the rug sometimes is the fact that a Rick is 33.25" scale - and due to the number of frets and the neck placement, the "reach" is slightly easier for many players - especially those that might be used to full 34" scale. While I won't call the difference dramatic, size matters. You can check with your partner about that.
You can see it here, of course, there is always a little photo distortion, but if you measure the exact distance from nut to 12th fret and pop the basses up to full size until they match, this is what you get:
When I played my first Rick, it was instantly so much easier to get around on than my Fender Jazz I was amazed. Of course, for me as a rule - 32" medium scale ended up being my bliss, but the Rick was a mighty fine stopover on my way to finding my perfection. Recorded all but one song on one heck of an album with it - an album that made a pretty iconic list in Rolling Stone Invalid Link Removed.
I am always amused that many folks don't know that the Rick is not full scale, but it isn't.
You can see it here, of course, there is always a little photo distortion, but if you measure the exact distance from nut to 12th fret and pop the basses up to full size until they match, this is what you get:
When I played my first Rick, it was instantly so much easier to get around on than my Fender Jazz I was amazed. Of course, for me as a rule - 32" medium scale ended up being my bliss, but the Rick was a mighty fine stopover on my way to finding my perfection. Recorded all but one song on one heck of an album with it - an album that made a pretty iconic list in Rolling Stone Invalid Link Removed.
I am always amused that many folks don't know that the Rick is not full scale, but it isn't.
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!)
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!)
Ric5
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- Jan 29, 2008
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- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
The oil finished ones have a nice woody tone ... This one is very loud for a passive bass ... the trick is a good setup for string height, and pickup height
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