Rickenbacker Question

[Eerie]

Hello All,

I have the opportunity to pick up a 2004 Black Ricky for about $1000. My brother who lives in Cali knows a guys selling it, and can vouch that it is in good condition, but the problem is the guy is saying it's a 2001 Model. I'm pretty sure he means 4001, as I can't find anything online referencing a 2001 Model Ricky.

I ran the serial number online, and the only thing the Rickenbacker site can tell me is it was manufactured in the 32nd week of 2004.

First of all, is there anything else I can have my bro look for to help me for sure know what model this is? I do know it has two pickups if that helps.

Secondly, is $1K a good price for the bass?

Lastly, I have never played a Ricky for more than a few minutes, and that was many years ago. Although, aesthetically they have always been a dream bass of mine. I normally play Fender basses, and mostly a fast punk rock style. I obviously will try and find one locally to test out, but in the meantime do you guys think the bass would suit my style, and be easy to transition to from a Fender?

Any assistance is greatly appreciated, thanks guys!

 

[Korladis]

First of all, unless it's a C64, a V63 or a Chris Squire Signature, there's no such thing as a 4001 made past the 80's.

Pics would help.

Unless it's beat to crap, $1000 isn't a bad price, I hear they're going for way more lately.

They are very unlike Fenders. Don't think of it the same way as one. They don't behave the same way at all. They do suit rock quite well, punk rock included. Glen Matlock (Sex Pistols) and Jerry Only (Misfits) both used Rickenbackers back in the day.

Also, the acronym for California is CA, not "Cali." To me, that sounds as ridiculous as if I called Florida "Flori" or Virginia "Virgi."

 

[Eerie]

First of all, unless it's a C64, a V63 or a Chris Squire Signature, there's no such thing as a 4001 made past the 80's.

Pics would help.

Unless it's beat to crap, $1000 isn't a bad price, I hear they're going for way more lately.

They are very unlike Fenders. Don't think of it the same way as one. They don't behave the same way at all. They do suit rock quite well, punk rock included. Glen Matlock (Sex Pistols) and Jerry Only (Misfits) both used one.

Also, the acronym for California is CA, not "Cali." To me, that sounds as ridiculous as if I called Florida "Flori" or Virginia "Virgi."

Working on getting some pics. As far as the use of Cali....

My brother, and a bunch of other buddies that have lived there for going on 10 years now, always refer to California as Cali in conversation, hence my use of it here. My bad.

 

[N.F.A.]

1000 dollars is a really good price if it isn't a POS. Find out the model number older ones are 4001 and newer ones are 4003. Keep us informed. It's the best time ever to get a Ric. They are popping up like mad on ebay, here, craigslist and the RRF forum.

 

[Korladis]

Working on getting some pics. As far as the use of Cali....

My brother, and a bunch of other buddies that have lived there for going on 10 years now, always refer to California as Cali in conversation, hence my use of it here. My bad.

What part of it are they from? In my experience, it's generally a so-cal thing. I'm not the only one up here who kinda bristles at hearing that term. Then again, I was born and raised here...

But yes, $1000 is a surprisingly good price. Can't go wrong with jetglo, either.

 

[nicfargo]

The guy probably thinks it was built in 2001. Also, the model numbers for ricky's are on the input jack plate, and those can be switched out. So it could have been switched and is a year 2001 with a 2004 jack plate...who knows. Regardless, if it's actually a Ricky and is in decent condition, 1k is a sweet price. I'll be paying almost 1,400 for a mint 1997 rick at the end of the month.

 

[Eerie]

Not sure if this helps, but my bros says it has 2 input jacks, one that says "Ric-O-Sound" and one that says "Standard" on it.

Please forgive my ignorance on this, thanks for the input thus far.

 

[Holy War]

Also, the acronym for California is CA, not "Cali." To me, that sounds as ridiculous as if I called Florida "Flori" or Virginia "Virgi."

seeing as Im from Virginia...I lol'd

 

[EagleMoon]

My only suggestion is to play one first before you buy one, otherwise you could be throwing your money away. Find one to play for at least 15 or 20 minutes if not more. Transitioning from a Fender bass isn't an easy thing for a LOT of people. They're not very comfortable basses to play at all, (IMO) and people tend to buy them a lot for their looks.

 

[Korladis]

Not sure if this helps, but my bros says it has 2 input jacks, one that says "Ric-O-Sound" and one that says "Standard" on it.

Please forgive my ignorance on this, thanks for the input thus far.

Real jackplate then. The Standard is a mono output, like any other bass.

Ric-O-Sound is a stereo output jack. If you plug in a stereo instrument cable that then goes to a Y splitter, you can set it up so that each pickup goes to a separate amp.

 

[Korladis]

My only suggestion is to play one first before you buy one, otherwise you could be throwing your money away. Find one to play for at least 15 or 20 minutes if not more. Transitioning from a Fender bass isn't an easy thing for a LOT of people. They're not very comfortable basses to play at all, (IMO) and people tend to buy them a lot for their looks.

If you are used to Fender basses, they might not be comfortable. I'm the opposite, I find them to be very comfortable, and Fenders to be very uncomfortable.

 

[electracoyote]

Not sure if this helps, but my bros says it has 2 input jacks, one that says "Ric-O-Sound" and one that says "Standard" on it.

Please forgive my ignorance on this, thanks for the input thus far.

Those two output jacks are surrounded by a rectangular plate that has the serial number on it. Write down every character from that plate and run it at the Rickenbacker website to verify date of manufacture and authenticity.

Yes, if it's an authentic Ric 4003 (since 1985 I think all the standard production Rics are 4003, not 2001 or 4001), in good shape with a hardshell, anything under $1,200.00 is a good deal.

The way it worked for me, I liked the aesthetics, so I liked the bass and any differences between my Rics and Fenders means nothing to me. Oh, and the tone can be another thing to fall in love with as well.

 

[hargmalone]

If you are used to Fender basses, they might not be comfortable. I'm the opposite, I find them to be very comfortable, and Fenders to be very uncomfortable.

+1

 

[RickenBoogie]

At that price, you really can't go wrong.I'm sure you'll get acustomed to it quickly, but if you don't, it should easily sell for more than that thousand bucks. Use the mono output, (nearest the end pin) for normal playing, if you plug a standard mono plug in the stereo jack, only one pup will work. Congrats, and pics soon!!!

 

[malthumb]

At that price, you really can't go wrong.I'm sure you'll get acustomed to it quickly, but if you don't, it should easily sell for more than that thousand bucks. Use the mono output, (nearest the end pin) for normal playing, if you plug a standard mono plug in the stereo jack, only one pup will work. Congrats, and pics soon!!!

If it works like the stereo jacks on Alembic Series I and Series II basses, you should be able to plug a set of stereo headphones into the Rick-O-Sound jack and operate both pickups. The ultimate practice amp!

 

[N.F.A.]

cha ching.. grab it fast before it is gone to someone else... just do it...

 

[ryco]

I play both a Fender P and a Ric 4001. The feel is definitely different but didn't take long at all to get comfortable with the Ric. Like a couple of days.

I used the Ric mostly for my fast power pop/punk band back when.
Really cut through the heavy dense mix of two loud distorted guitars!

From the punk band's 20 year reunion show last month

 

[Eerie]

cha ching.. grab it fast before it is gone to someone else... just do it...

Thinking long and hard about doing just that, I believe there is a shop here in town that has a couple available to play, so I'm going to hit it up tomorrow.

My bro says the case is in badshape, but the bass is clean other than some scuffs here and there. Hopefully I will have pics soon.

 

[Eerie]

I play both a Fender P and a Ric 4001. The feel is definitely different but didn't take long at all to get comfortable with the Ric. Like a couple of days.

I used the Ric mostly for my fast power pop/punk band back when.
Really cut through the heavy dense mix of two loud distorted guitars!

From the punk band's 20 year reunion show last month

Sick man, definitely good to hear! What is the neck like compared to a P Bass, compared to a Jazz?

 

[Eerie]

Damn, can't track one down locally to play.

Anyone care to comment as to how the neck compares to say a 2006 Fender Precision? My buddy has this exact bass, http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Fender-American-Precision-Bass?sku=515118 and while I'm used to Jazz necks, I found the neck on his to feel really comfortable.

I did read that the Width at Nut of the P Bass was 41.3mm, while the Rick is 42.9mm. I've got fairly small hands, so I was wondering if I found the American Precision neck to feel comfortable, would the slightly wider Rick be far off from that?