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Rickenbacker or Musicman Stingray?

#41
Richenbacher said:
Awful heavy though. My friend let me play his squier jazz and it weighed a ton! Mind you, I'm sure both the rick and sting are pretty heavy too. My Yamaha is so light cause its head stock is really small. That and there's not much on it. Just the two pickups, two knobs and input jack. I can play for hours with it.
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I remember my Rickenbacker was pretty heavy compared to my Aria Pro that I had at the same time, but it's been 15+ years ago since I sold my Ric so I guess that's just anecdotal.

I will say, as cool as I thought my Ric looked and sounded, I secretly really preferred playing my Aria, and would always bring it to gigs to switch off from my Ric when I wanted something more comfy. :hiding:


Although the machine heads are terrible- goes out of tune with the slightest touch. Should get them replaced too... :S
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I tune my Precision at least once a year, whether it needs it or not. :)

Seriously though, unless I bump a tuner or play outside or there's some dramatic change in temperature, that bass just plain stays in tune.

With that said, I perfectly understand you wanting to upgrade if your bass is not staying in tune. Being able to reasonably stay in tune should just be expected from any bass.
 
#42
Richenbacher said:
That looks great! If I was to get a fender p I'd get white with a mahogany pickguard myself, but that still looks terrific.
Don't worry about GAS lol I really want to check with other bassists first to see their opinions, so any input is helpful :) I appreciate everyone's help :D
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That's cool man, you seem like a nice dude. I like to help. :D I hope you make an informed decision.

P.S. What bass does "decision" rhyme with? :p
 
#43
Richenbacher said:
I'm seriously stumped. I'm a high school student, but I'm starting to get involved in bands who are playing gigs and would like me to play bass. I'm nearly grade 7 and I'm playing on my first ever bass, a Yamaha ERB070, so I plan to save up money for a new, professional bass and get proper gear, amps etc.
I absolutely love the look of a Ric 4003 but have no idea what one sounds like.
But I also like the look of a stingray, and my bass tutor told me it's "twice the bass"
(his words, not mine.)
Any advice? Reviews on gig performance? Any response would be helpful :) thanks
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Advice?
You're young, just play everything you can get your hands on before making a big decision, you have lots of time to figure out what you like best.
Everyone's preferences are different.

Been playng Ricks almost exclusively since 1986 and have no plans to change that.
My 2010 4003 weighs 9.33 lbs and is extremely comfortable (to me, anyway) and very stable, and I've never been let down by any of my basses at a gig, other than a broken string occasionally.
 
#47
There both cool basses. Have a Rickenbacker and love it alot. The neck might seem like its a bit wider than alot a four strings, mine is. Its sound is really cool.
Invalid Link Removed
heres a dude playing a rush song with a ric.

The musicman is also very cool. Every time i go 2 guitaar center its the first kind of bass I pick up. Its also got a unique sound.
Time Stand Still Bass Cover - YouTube
same dude same amps just different bass.

Squire Vintage Modified Jazz Bass: Bargain Vintage Tones - YouTube
Think you sound look into a jazz bass also. Its a very good and versatile bass.
same dude with same amp but with a jazz bass. The vintage modiifed squier bass is really good for 300 dollars. Used to think that squier was just cheap, but after playing some I really thought they were good basses for the money.
 
#48
I've been playing almost 35 years, and own two Rickenbacker 4001s (a '76 and a '77), and a '79 Stingray, a '79 Sabre, an '02 Bongo, and a '10 Ball Family Reserve Stingray. I'd offer the following.

The Rickenbacker is, IMHO, more limited tonally than the Stingray. Don't get me wrong, I love the tones you can get with a Rick, but in my experience you'd be better off with the Musicman (or something like a Musicman as previously suggested by others) if you're doing a variety of genres, particularly if you get a two-pickup model. I love the Bongo for that reason - great pre, and the two pickups give you a lot of options. Now, some folks don't like the Bongo's looks, and I can understand that. But mine plays and sounds incredible - a greatly underrated bass if you ask me.

I second what others have said about playing as many different types/makes of basses as you can before laying down the cash. Don't go on looks or popularity alone - scale length, neck dimensions, body, bolt-on vs. neck thru/set neck, electronics (active/passive) etc. should all factor into the equation, as well as cost and the type of music you'll likely be playing. All of these variables (and many more) will determine which instrument is best for you.

Best of luck,

Alan
 
#49
jag872002 said:
There both cool basses. Have a Rickenbacker and love it alot. The neck might seem like its a bit wider than alot a four strings, mine is. Its sound is really cool.
Invalid Link Removed
heres a dude playing a rush song with a ric.

The musicman is also very cool. Every time i go 2 guitaar center its the first kind of bass I pick up. Its also got a unique sound.
Time Stand Still Bass Cover - YouTube
same dude same amps just different bass.

Squire Vintage Modified Jazz Bass: Bargain Vintage Tones - YouTube
Think you sound look into a jazz bass also. Its a very good and versatile bass.
same dude with same amp but with a jazz bass. The vintage modiifed squier bass is really good for 300 dollars. Used to think that squier was just cheap, but after playing some I really thought they were good basses for the money.
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+1 cheers. It was good to hear them both through the same amp. Rick is winning ATM, but it's very close . I got a squier jazz for christmas and just fixed the action on it today, so you can now actually hear notes above the twelfth fret :) basically I'm in several bands. There's the jazz band i'm in. My dad surprised me with the jazz bass this Christmas because I joined the jazz band, but in the orchestra I'm in I have to play over a ridiculously oversized brass section (at least 4 tubas, considering the size of the orchestra -.-) so the squier can't compete against the dimarzio pickups on the Yamaha. I bought the Yamaha because it was so cheap and I was just starting out, so I've been trying to modify it in any way possible to make it sound like an actual bass- the previous pick-ups were very thin sounding. These ones shake the room. In the other two bands i'm in, I'm trying to find a bass that not only looks awesome but can cut through the treble and sound tight with the drums while having its own voice. Although as many of you have pointed out, a rig that stands up to the quality of the bass being played is also important....
:S
 
#50
abngourmet said:
I've been playing almost 35 years, and own two Rickenbacker 4001s (a '76 and a '77), and a '79 Stingray, a '79 Sabre, an '02 Bongo, and a '10 Ball Family Reserve Stingray. I'd offer the following.

The Rickenbacker is, IMHO, more limited tonally than the Stingray. Don't get me wrong, I love the tones you can get with a Rick, but in my experience you'd be better off with the Musicman (or something like a Musicman as previously suggested by others) if you're doing a variety of genres, particularly if you get a two-pickup model. I love the Bongo for that reason - great pre, and the two pickups give you a lot of options. Now, some folks don't like the Bongo's looks, and I can understand that. But mine plays and sounds incredible - a greatly underrated bass if you ask me.

I second what others have said about playing as many different types/makes of basses as you can before laying down the cash. Don't go on looks or popularity alone - scale length, neck dimensions, body, bolt-on vs. neck thru/set neck, electronics (active/passive) etc. should all factor into the equation, as well as cost and the type of music you'll likely be playing. All of these variables (and many more) will determine which instrument is best for you.

Best of luck,

Alan
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Thanks Alan. It's really great to be able to hear from so many bassists who have had experiences with both basses, and I really appreciate all your input :D although I'm almost grade 7, I definately think of myself as a novice when it comes to experience with basses and rigs. Needless to say I will indeed heed all your advice and test every brand I can, but unfortunately, both ricks and stings are almost unheard of in most bass sections in the various guitar shops nearby. YouTube appears to be my best option for checking the tones on ricks, stings and fender P's. Thanks everyone :D
Richard-enbacher
 
#51
DBCrocky said:
I'd go to music shops and play everything on the wall. You'll know what you like when you play it.
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EXACTLY! Don't just get a bass because a certain influence of yours played one, OR just because you like the colour or "LOOK" of it...get one which FEELS nice to YOU, and SOUNDS nicest to YOU - colour and brand are stupid reasons to get a bass, numerous players end up with the "wrong" one for them because of it...

I know that myself - I once had a Rickenbacker 330 copy "because its affordable and VERY similar to the one George Harrison had"...it SOUNDED pretty similar, but to PLAY it was horrible...

I'm a fan of Rickenbackers and Stingrays on both looks and sound - but TO PLAY they're not that nice to me...the Stingray has a MUCH fatter neck than my Jazzes, and the Rickenbacker has that stupid "Horseshoe" over the strings (which IMO is a major part of what a Ric NEEDS to BE a Ric)

I started out on a MIM Jazz bass - and my parents just said "don't look at the colour at all, just by the sound and the feel"...it's Arctic White (cream...not even proper snowy-white) so probably the LAST bass in the shop I'd have chosen on looks, but its actually one of the BEST basses I've ever played in my life. It FEELS amazing, the SOUND is bloody nice...you see where I'm coming from? :cool::cool::cool:

EDIT - I REALLY should look at the whole thread before posting lol...
 
#52
I'm going to be honest.

I own a Ric 4003. If you want a bass to rest your arm on, the Ric isn't for you. It's completely flat. It's sound is one of a kind and not for all music genres. When I play classic rock, I pick the Ric. When I play Death Metal, I pick my Thumb NT.

When it comes to the Stingray, its a better choice in comfert and in a wide space of genres.

Another good bass to pick is a Jazz, Geddy Lee model. It's a strange sounding Jazz, but I'd say its good for alot of stuff and its passive.

Another one is the Warwick Corvette $$, because it has some Jazz and Stingray tones in it. Though it still has that Warwick growl, its an interesting bass.

If you are looking for a great bass under a grand, then pick between the Sterling Ray34 or Squire VM 70s Jazz, because they sound as good as the real thing. That leaves you with cash to buy amps and stuff.

If you want a Stingray or Ric, be very aware of the fact they have a very one of a kind sound.
 
#53
I prefer the Music Man basses over the Rics. Music Mans customer service is also top notch but I doubt you will ever need it because their quality is also top notch. With Rics, I just don't care for them at all. I don't like how they feel, how they play or even their tone. I'm sure they company is a great company so I am not trying to bad mouth them but I just have never played one that I like.
 
#55
I also recommend that you seriously consider an US made Fender Jazz bass. This is a truly professional bass with a great tonal range and is easy on smaller hands while you grow into playing. By all means get out there and play these models to make the best decision for yourself; that's the only way to decide.
 
#57
bobm2112 said:
Over all I think the Musicman would be your best bet. Ricks sound amazing but they "feel" awkward for a lot of people. If you have access, try them both out. You can get a hell of a deal on both brands used here in the classifieds.

Bob
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That's weird. I've had a Rick for 25 years and it is by far the most comfortable bass I own. I can get a precision and speed on that particular neck that I can get nowhere else.

I guess it depends on the neck . . . I've played 4003's that felt like baseball bats. Mine is a real 4001, '73. I hear they are almost making them that slim these days.

However, the real concern I would have getting a new Rick would be QC. I would look for a used one, or in a store that you can lay hands on.
 
#58
cassius987 said:
I absolutely do not get why someone this young would be best off with something fancy--my tastes changed so much back then, it would have been a waste of money.
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I can understand your angle. How ever, I don't like changing basses very frequently. I've had my Yamaha for 5 years and although I love it, it was really meant to be a beginner bass, it came in a pack with a 20 w amp. It can't stay in tune for a long time and the original pickups were tinny and weak. After 8 months, they were crackling and didn't react well to playing loud. I changed the pickups, and it seemed to get a lot better. I'm wondering about getting one of these epic basses because I plan to keep it for a very long time, a bass which is powerful and has a great tone. I know tastes change as we get older, but the two basses have an iconic design, and as aforementioned, they do have a high sell on price, especially when they are older or vintage.
 
#59
I think both are acquired tastes with the Stingray being more mainstream.... i.e. I believe most "normal" bass players would prefer a SR over a RIC. RIC players seem to be more loyal to the brand too IMO.

I would try them both and decide what you can afford.

A used SR will run you $800-1000 and a used RIC will likely be in the $1350-1600 range.
 
#60
I,ve got both, Rick and musicman as well as a t-bird pro4 and a p-bass.
Rick ,incredible bass,nothing like it.
Musicman SUB with a seymour duncan 4d pick up,amazing bass
T-bird pro,suits me fine sir
P-bass,nothing original apart from the body now,great bass now,Wizard thumper done the trick.
You can pick up a musicman sub for decent money and they are fabulous basses with outstanding build quality,they are heavy compared to the others but it,s relative.
I,d say for the money a musicman SUB every day.It,s an american built musicman and that,s that.
 

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