Can't say I agree with this opinion, but I do respect it, as there are so many variables to getting these guys to sound off. I just know that in my case I can get it sounding good at most any volume.
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Rickenbacker..... i just don't understand the hype.
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Fair enough. I'm not saying we should become Disneyworld for basses and bass players.
That said, the very same discussion, complete with the same objections, and criticisms of Rickenbacker has been aired here several times already.
So…with all due respect, asking what the deal is with anything - after trying only a single example for the very first time - and then concluding your post with "let the flaming begin" (in all caps and bolded) strikes me more as someone looking to start an argument or push people's buttons rather than someone seeking clarity.
Which is why I politely suggested the OP not worry about it and focus his attention on things he actually likes. Because his impressions, based on more in-depth experiences with things he might wish to recommend would be far more valuable to the community than a half-baked critique based on his single first experience of a brand and instrument he has no prior experience with.
I've got a friend who does reviews of software. He occasionally gets criticized because all his reviews are positive. Somebody asked if he actually liked everything. His answer was he actually didn't like very much at all. He just didn't write about any of those apps. Because he couldn't see the point of wasting time on writing negative reviews when there was plenty of "the good stuff" far more worth posting about. As he put it, why tell people about junk and waste time slagging it when there's stuff they don't know about that they should be using?
Hope that better explains where I was coming from in my earlier post.
From what I've seen...
All one has to do is start a thread on Fender Custom Shop, Sadowsky, Fodera, and/or Rickenbacker, saying
"I don't like them and they cost a lot, so Go Ahead! Flame me!"
Guess what's gonna happen?
From what I've seen...
All one has to do is start a thread on Fender Custom Shop, Sadowsky, Fodera, and/or Rickenbacker, saying
"I don't like them and they cost a lot, so Go Ahead! Flame me!"
Guess what's gonna happen?
Yeah. We get a lot of that whole "you have to like my _____ or you don't like me" thing here.
I don't get that mentality at all.
If I may, Midnight Blue has been a standard color for 32 years, not a "special." Some "standard" colors come and go, such as Red, Autumnglo, Azureglo (replaced by Midnight Blue), Ruby (twice), White, Turquoise, and Silver. Then there are the "Color of the Year" group, and the special order group . . . .
If you look up the definition of "hype," you'll see it really has nothing to do with Rickenbackers.
I'm not sure I understand why someone thinks there is "hype" surrounding Rickenbacker basses.
I hadn't heard this, but he did seem to favor A & D.
I love his advice for younger players given in his last interview...
Lemmy: The Final Interview
THISWhy 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 love Precisions also but happen to also love Rics, Jazzes and Gibsons, anyone want to trash any of them I don't care it just shows their ignorance to me. All it takes to get used to a new different type of bass is to play it and live with it long enough for the feel to come, the most difficult bass I ever had to get used to was an upright, that took some time and a lot of live playing, but you can get used to anything pretty much if you try hard enough.
Stop resisting. But, instead of a 4003S get a 4004 one sort or another, to have a binding-less body and something different to a 4001/3 bass. After owning many Rick basses I have settled on two great 4004 Laredos. I still have fairly ready access to my two old 1973 4001s if I wanted to play them (they are with friends of mine, now), but I am super happy with the Snowglo 4004L and Jetglo 4004L SPC (oh, oh, here we go mentioning colors).
Well I'm not crazy about humbuckers although I do own an EB-3 but I really like the looks of the S model better than a 4003. I've always been a single coil player. The 4004 does look like a cool bass and I would like to try one.
Rickenbacker's look cool as hell and they sound great. They aren't for everybody, as I've tried a couple times but they are really neat and have their own personality.
The OP got totally hosed on the price, there's no reason a new one should cost that much. I'd be mad at overpaying too, but that isn't the instrument's fault.
The OP got totally hosed on the price, there's no reason a new one should cost that much. I'd be mad at overpaying too, but that isn't the instrument's fault.
I would absolutely agree with your comparisons. I have owned Rics since the 60s. I currently own 2 but rarely play them. Why? Being a veteran of the "Ric" they are no big deal any longer. Hell, truth be told, they were never really THAT big of a deal to me. They were a tool - used to get the job done.
Now - on to the Gibsons. I could never understand why the hell ANYONE would want to play a Gibson bass. Terrible, horrible instruments.....then, about 2 years ago, I FINALLY took the plunge and bought an EB5. It was my first 5er.
Suddenly - I get it! The Gibson sounds INCREDIBLE!! So now, on the rare occasions when I actually play a job - I take 2 basses....a Fender and the Gibson. And trust me - I was a Gibson hater for more years than I can count. Funny, isn't it, that when we move past our "hatred" that we can actually find out the truth for ourselves?
You are right - I stand corrected.
I forgot that he installed Gibson Thunderbird pickups in his 4001 circa 1986, but didn't he run standard Ric Hi-gains up until then?
- Oct 7, 2000
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Sure it's all been said already, as I'm late to this party... so I'll keep it short.
1. A new 4003 is only around $1400, if you know what you're doing and/or ask here before buying one.
2. I played a few Rickenbackers and never liked them. I bought myself a Rickenbacker cuz I started a Purple/Rainbow tribute and needed an excuse to have a Ric in my stable.
3. I love Rickenbackers.
4. I've come to believe that guitar store reviews of basses are pointless. Off the wall of a GC I'll often prefer a cheap Ibanez or Squier over a Warwick, Musicman or high end Fender.
OP would choke if he knew how much I paid for a new 4003SW at Fullers Guitar in Houston
Wow, it's appalling how many people overlook the fact that the OP is in Australia.
if only it weren't for so many rebuttals about the price, I'd agree with you
I suppose the opposite of narrow terms is sweeping generalizations.
if only it weren't for so many rebuttals about the price, I'd agree with you
So a U.S. made instrument imported to Australia won't cost more than it does in the U.S.?
Did you know there's an exchange rate for USD to AUD?
View attachment 1167934
U.S. citizens think in such narrow terms
That may be, however, who the hell would pay $2691? I just saw a Walnut Model, Brand new, for $1800....Hell, if people have money to throw around, throw a little my way!!
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