Rickenbacker tone without ludicrous prices?

[micguy]

You can have Rickenbacker tone for $400. All you have to do it travel back in time - in 1978, that's what my 4001 cost.

 

[Axstar]

I agree their prices are ludicrous because they only have one price point. If you want a jazz or precision tone you can get that at multiple price points from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars, but you can only get a Ric tone north of $1K. I know they are putting out a quality product that is unique but most major manufactures at least offer versions at various price points. Look at Hofner: $400, $800 and $2300 (I'm ballparking those prices.)

They aren't morally or contractual bound to put out an offshore econo model. They appear to be doing great, financially, ergo their current business model works.

If they wind up going to the wall and Yamaha/Baseball Team Owner ends up buying them out then I will admit my error.

 

[MtManiac]

I have a Ric, a T40, and an L2000. The T40 is MUCH easier to get a Ric tone out of than the L2000.

I would fully expect that.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

The Ric pups in 1” neck spacing are within 1/8” or so of the perfect theoretical 24th and 36th fret positions for a 33.25” scale, which can’t have been an accident. I set my clone builds to exactly 24th and 36th, and it’s perfect Ric tone. A set of Ric Hi-Gains at those positions, on a maple bass, would probably get you 90% of the way there. The rest gets into tonewood arguments and magical thinking.

 

[73jbass]

Geddy Lee did quite well with his Jazz bass on Moving Pictures and parts of Permanent Waves.

 

[jdh3000]

2 grand give or take is not at all ludicrous. Perhaps a used one in decent condition? But most of those are 12-1500 anyway.

Relative...a $10,000 Fodera might not seem ludicrous to a billionaire...

 

[scuzzy]

Ovation Magnum 3 is close, but not identical.

 

[Evanforbass]

what about a Fender Cabronita and then add a pickup in the neck position? The single pup in the middle has a nice growl to it. Not a difficult or terribly expensive job.

 

[Ghook]

I only paid $1200 and change for a brand new 4003SW walnut from Musician’s Friend. Had a 20% off coupon.

These guy's selling guitars...brand name mfg. are very aware of price points. They don't go to market with over priced product.

The Ric's are very well priced. I think their policy of "call for price" might hold them back sometimes but their prices sure don't.

Individual affordability and market pricing are not one in the same.

 

[kirillstokes]

Japan copy?)

 

[Coolhandjjl]

...The Ric's are very well priced. I think their policy of "call for price" might hold them back sometimes but their prices sure don't...

Apparently, Ric doesn't have any MAP, advertised price regulations, or other restrictions for dealers. Ric may have an SRP, suggest retail price, but that's 'suggested' and bears no legal enforceability. Dealers are free to advertise and sell them for any price they wish. The 'call for price' is a long established practice in the mail order business, and now exists as 'email for price' in the on-line business.

 

[groooooove]

the answer really is a used rick...

or one of those lawsuit ibanez basses?

but really, a used rick. I see them for really reasonable prices all the time.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

Are there any less expensive basses that sound like a Rickenbacker?

The thing about Rickenbacker products is, once you own one your flatulence doesn't have an odor like mere mortals.

 

[Jeff Scott]

...it's been more than a 1/4 century since I watched the VHS.

So it's been before the "Turn Of The Century", eh?

 

[Guzzi Toad]

I see them for really reasonable prices all the time.

I couldn't agree more however, I'm not sure we can determine what the OP considers a reasonable price.
And he hasn't been heard from since page 1.

 

[Jeff Scott]

...most major manufactures at least offer versions at various price points. Look at Hofner: $400, $800 and $2300 (I'm ballparking those prices.)

Are all those made in Germany at the Höfner factory by the same builders?

 

[Jeff Scott]

...Ric's ..... I think their policy of "call for price" might hold them back sometimes but their prices sure don't

That's a store policy, not a RIC policy.

 

[TinIndian]

My L series G&L basses get a pretty reasonable Ric sound.
My first Long scale bass was an Ibanez Ric copy, the bolt on model. It sounded almost, but not quite, completely UNLIKE a Ric. Looked the part but did NOT sound the part at all.

 

[Jeff Scott]

Relative...a $10,000 Fodera might not seem ludicrous to a billionaire...

I can'r afford a Kostal, Olson, or a Somogyi, for example, but I don't cry about them having ludicrous prices; they are just what they are, just like anything else as to pricing.

 

[deernaes]

This gets real close, between the lipsticks and the big single coil.

That bass is just flat out cool on it's own!